James Boorstein is a sculptor who has always been involved with writing and text. Loving theater in high school, the plays of Becket and Pinter led him toward set design, and from there to sculpture. At 21, he moved to New York City, where he converted a former print shop into a home and studio.
In 1991 Boorstein walked the entire edge of Manhattan Island, following the actual line where land meets water. Walk notes, pictures and extensive research, evolved into a book-length rumination and history about walking, relentless change, and how, on another level, things stay the same.
He has written a series of essays comparing the street life of Paris with that of New York City, and a project to walk every calli, ramo, and fondamenta of Venice, Italy, became a series of writings and watercolors. He has also written about smoke, killing, getting professional shaves, biking with camels, sweeping, slush, guns, advertising, and other topics.
As a respected architectural conservator working in many of America’s largest museums, Boorstein has also written and published essays, articles and book chapters on interior conservation.