Curating the Magazine: Denise Markonish

In this episode of the Different Leaf: the Podcast, host Brit Smith talks with curator Denise Markonish as she unpacks the vision behind the inaugural book hitting shelves in Summer 2026. Drawing on her extensive background in contemporary art — including her current work as the Martin Friedman Chief Curator at the Madison Square Park Conservancy and previously at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MOCA) — Markonish reflects on what has shaped her curatorial approach and why subversive artists feel especially vital in today’s political and cultural landscape. She shares what drew her to invite Nick Cave and Bob Faust to guest edit the book, highlighting the rigor, playfulness, and social awareness that defines their artistic practices. The episode traces the early conceptual framework for the book project, following the journey of Mr. Karen, an other-worldly character created by author Jonathan Lethem who moves through Different Leaf’s richly layered world of art, cannabis, community, and storytelling.