Co-founder Petia Morozov speaks with design historian Gabrielle Esperdy about the city of the future, and spoiler, it's New Jersey: "There's such a parochialism, not just in terms of ignoring New Jersey between Philadelphia and New York, but also, I think a literal parochialism about cities as cities. That if it's not in whatever the city is, that somehow, it's less than."

Getting Dense With Gabrielle Esperdy

Delivered as a beautiful series of only 10 issues, DENSE is a new platform that dares to forecast our future, through the lens of New Jersey’s past.

Each issue is sparked by an event that either happened or will happen, such as Issue 1’s focus on the 1951 opening of the NJ Turnpike, Issue 6’s focus on the year 2100 and Issue 10’s focus on NJ’s most radical project that never happened.
Why New Jersey? As America’s most densely populated state, we think this place holds lessons to face the challenges of our changing world, from climate action and forced migrations to cultural memory and labor practices.

Dense features commissioned work by contributors like writer John McPhee, Black Reconstruction Collective co-founder Felecia Davis, hunter Joe Lanza, design historian Susan Yelavich, environmental photographer David Maisel, Lenape tribal leader Chief Vincent Mann and architect Marshall Brown. With such a diverse range, it’s no wonder our 10-issue boxed set has earned its cult status among collectors.

In between issues, check out BOOTH, PLEASE – weekly tangents about design and New Jersey, served up every Sunday. Subscribe through our website and get updates about future issues.

Dense Magazine