The Space Behind the Face

The long-awaited memoir by the late, much-lauded theater and visual artist Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson was a driving force in the avant-garde art and theater worlds for half a century: He was the creative mind behind the seminal Einstein on the Beach (1976), among dozens of other original works and pioneering productions; his collaborators included Philip Glass, Lou Reed, Allen Ginsberg, John Cage, Tom Waits, Lady Gaga, and Jessye Norman; and he was honored with a Pulitzer Prize nomination, the Golden Lion for Sculpture of the Venice Biennale, an Olivier Award, the Praemium Imperiale, and many more. The story of Wilson’s life and career is the story of the past fifty years of experimental art and theater—indeed, this history could hardly be approached through a better lens than an oeuvre about which Susan Sontag once said, “I can’t think of any body of work as large or as influential.”

The Space Behind the Face, written in collaboration with his friend, actor and writer Keith McDermott, charts Wilson’s life through a series of vignettes, from growing up in small-town Texas to developing his unmistakable voice in New York’s downtown scene to gaining international renown. Wilson’s unapologetic idiosyncrasy shines throughout, whether he’s creating a children’s theater set of 368 fire hydrants or directing a twelve-hour silent opera about Joseph Stalin.

Part intimate remembrance, part cultural history, part road map for living an artistic life, The Space Behind the Face is a vital text for anyone who believes in the boundless value of creativity—and a stunningly beautiful memorial to the inimitable Robert Wilson.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

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The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs