The critic Robert Warshow wrote, “A man watches a movie, and the critic must acknowledge that he is that man.” He meant that arts writers should not position themselves as unreachable, objective experts; rather, they should view work as subjective individuals, focusing on their personal relationships with it. Warshow gave a name to the concept of “the immediate experience”: what we think and feel, as ourselves, in response to art.

Yellow Cardigan is a journal of my own immediate experiences—a chronicle of interactions with art/design, comedy, film, literature, and music. Nothing complicated or especially important, just my thoughts.

The name comes from the film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg; it’s what Catherine Deneuve’s character is wearing the first time we see her. This became an indelible image, and a cryptic reference point, for me as I conceptualized the sort of art and culture writing I wanted to do.

I’m Chris A., a 26-year-old high school English teacher living in Morningside Heights, Manhattan since 2005. Most of my interests are contained on this site. I also like burritos, ice cream, and dogs.