Issue 27 of The Thing Quarterly is a fully functional gingham soccer ball designed by Michelle Grabner.

It is important to note that the issue also functions as a physical rebuttal to Ken Johnson’s 2014 New York Times review of Michelle’s exhibition at James Cohan Gallery, in which he referred to Michelle’s work as that of a boring soccer mom. The comment ignited a firestorm of counter-reviews and letters to the editor. It also inspired this issue, which might be the first rebuttal in the form of a soccer ball…ever.

The issue includes a pamphlet containing a brief introduction, an interview with Michelle Grabner by editor Jonn Herschend, and a reproduction of Joe Fyfe’s review of the review in HyperAllergic. - The Thing Quarterly