MBR: The Art Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Chris Bruce, Nella Van Dyke, Keith Wells
Museum of Arts
c/o WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
0975566229, $24.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu 1-800-354-7360
"Art & Context: The '50s and 60s" focuses upon artistic creations by
twenty of postwar America's most influential artists ranging from
Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, and Roy Lichtenstein, to Robert
Motherwell, Jackson Pollock, and "Andy Warhol. The two decades of 1950
and 1960 saw the rise of an American counterculture with its new
social, sexual, racial, and artistic freedoms. Historical context and
analysis are provided by essays by Chris Bruce (Director of the Museum
of Art, Washington State University, Pullman), Nella Van Dyke
(Associate Professor of Socilogy, Washington State University,
Pullham), and Keith Wells (Curator of Exhibitions and Collections,l
Museum of Art, Washington State University, Pullham). "Art & Context"
is a work of impeccible scholarship and a welcome, seminal contribution
to personal, professional, and academic library 'Art History &
Criticism' reference collections and supplemental reading lists
The Uffizi Gallery Museum
Alexandra Bonfante-Warren
Hugh Lauter Levin Associates Inc.
9 Burr Road, Westport, CT 06880
0883635151, $76.00 www.hlla.com
"The Uffizi Gallery Museum" by Alexandra Bonfante-Warren (freelance
writer, translator, and former associate editor in the Department of
Publications at the Museum of Modern Art, New York) is the profusely
illustrated history of the Galleria degli Uffizi, the world's oldest
surviving museum. The building houses the Uffizi museum is itself
considered a masterpiece designed by Renaissance architect Giorgia
Vasri. Founded in the mid-1500s by the Medici family, The Ufizi museum
is offers visitors one of the richest and most complete collections of
masterworks that include Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Buontalenti,
and Titian, among a legion of other notable artistic talents. Superbly
produced and enthusiastically recommended for academicians and the
non-specialist general reader with an interest in art, the full-color
reproductions perfectly augment and illustrate an informed and
informative text in a coffee-table book that will prove to be a popular
and core addition to personal, academic, and community library Art
History reference collections and reading lists.
Made For Maharajas
Amin Jaffer
The Vendome Press
1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (distributor)
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
0865651744, $65.00 www.abramsbooks.com 1-800-759-0190
Dr. Amin Jaffer is a curator in the Asian Department of the Victoria
and Albert Museum in London where he specializes in Indian art and
culture during the era of European influence during the British Raj
period (1857-1947). With "Made For Maharajas: A Design Diary Of
Princely India", Dr. Amin has compiled with narrative commentary an
impressive historical overview of art and luxury goods in all manner of
media and associated with the aristocracy of the maharajas during these
centuries. Superbly illustrated with 290 images (150 of which are in
full color), the representative and custom-made artifacts range from
private airplanes and luxury cars, to chandeliers, gold dinnerware,
couture fashions, fine leather goods, houses, furniture, jewelry, and
more. Dr. Amin drew upon the archives of firms that included Louis
Vuitton, Boucheron, Chaumet, Cartier, and Hermies, he had access to
palace and private collections, and employing his own extensive
expertise, has written a text that is as entertaining as it is
informative in revealing the extraordinarily varied works commissioned
by princes whose personal wealth was exceeded only by their
eccentricities. As an impeccable work of scholarship in a coffee-table
art book format, "Made For Maharajas" is especially recommended for
academic library collections and would make a superb choice as a
community library Memorial Fund acquisition.
Zink: The Language Of Enchantment
Hollis Walker
New Mexico Magazine
495 Old Stana Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
0937206903, $38.95 www.nmmagazine.com
The latest title in the impressive 'New Mexico Magazine Artist
Series', Hollis Walker's "Zink: The Language Of Enchantment" showcases
the extraordinary career and creations of acclaimed Taos, New Mexico
artist Melissa Zink. The works of art showcased in this impressive
compilation range from figurative clay dioramas and bronze sculptures
to mixed media compositions combining sculpture, painting, and
assemblage. Reflecting Zink's love of language and of books, she often
incorporates words, individual letters, phrases, illustrations, book
fragments, and references to literary figures in her art. Highly
recommended to the attention of art enthusiasts and a welcome addition
to community and academic library American Art History collections,
"Zink: The Language Of Enchantment" is a 90-page art history enhanced
with 80 color plates and as informative as it is entertaining to browse
through.
The Book of Angels
Todd Jordan, author
Ruth Thompson, L.A. Williams, and Renae Taylor, illustrators
Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
1402738374 $17.95 1-800-805-5489
Stunningly illustrated throughout with full-color original artwork by
popular fantasy artists Ruth Thompson, L.A. Williams, and Renae Taylor,
The Book of Angels is a celebration of angelic beings as remembered in
mythology, Biblical scripture, and historic visions. Written for lay
readers and anyone curious to experience an overview of angelic beings,
The Book of Angels covers the nine types of angels, portrays the
notable angels of Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Azriel, Uriel, and Lucifer
(once called Samael) in depth. Relatively modern lore concerning
angels, such as their presence in classical works such as John Milton's
"Paradise Lost", Dante Aligheri's "Divine Comedy", and Wolfgang von
Goethe's "Faust" is also contemplated with highlights. Yet the true
mark of grace for The Book of Angels is unquestionably its artwork,
from the two-page spread of Uriel unleashing destruction upon Hell
itself to Michael doing battle against Lucifer in the form of a
monstrous dragon. Highly recommended for its sheer visual beauty.
Winslow Homer: An American Vision
Randall C. Griffin
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, New York NY 10014
0714839922 $69.95 www.phaidon.com
The works of Winslow Homer are already well familiar to any interested
in American art: they captured the American Civil War and, later,
scenes of early America as a whole, presenting a range of styles and
themes - so it's surprising to note this book is the first in-depth
critical survey written in the last decade. Here all his major
paintings appear along with a number of etchings and woodcuts to
compliment a blend of biography and critical art survey. Full-page
color prints not only analyze the works; they offer insights into the
public's reaction to scenes, settings, and perspectives. A powerful,
recommended pick.
Islamic Calligraphy
Sheila S. Blair
Edinburgh University Press
22 George Square, Edinburgh
0748612122 $150.00 www.amazon.com
Every college-level collection strong in either Middle Eastern Studies
or Middle Eastern art must have ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY: it's a specialty
item for the serious holding which offers the first reference work on
Arabic script. Calligraphy is one of the foundation arts of Islamic
culture and has been a primary method of artistic expression from the
7th century to modern times, so it well deserves its own book and is
anything but the 'esoteric art' Westerners might believe. Over 150
color illustrations and over a hundred black and white details come
from dated examples to provide insights on everything from construction
and history to identifying forgeries and understanding differing
styles. An essential key to understanding Islamic arts and
civilization, this reference is not to be missed.
Sean Scully
Florence Ingleby, Editor
Merrell
49 West 24th Street, 8th Floor, New York NY 10010
1858943515 $29.95 www.merrellpublishers.com
SEAN SCULLY: RESISTANCE AND PERSISTENCE SELECTED WRITINGS comes form
one of the leading modern painters working in the arts, whose career
has been built on abstract painted stripes and bars in muted colors.
These works are exhibited in major holds throughout the world, but
these writings here are key to understanding them, presenting his
writings for the first time along with reproductions of his paintings.
College-level art library holdings will find this an important addition
to their collections, offering up insights into how Scully works, his
art and inspirations, and artistic metaphors specific to pieces. Any
collection with Scully's art needs this first-person analysis, key to
understanding.
Real Photo Postcard Guide
Robert Bodgan and Rodd Weseloh
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
0815608519 $39.95 www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu
Photo postcard collectors and fans of photo postcard art have plenty to
enjoy in REAL PHOTO POSTCARD GUIDE: THE PEOPLE'S PHOTOGRAPHY. Such art
dominated the U.S. Photo market during the first third of the 20th
century, but until now hasn't received a comprehensive coverage. The
authors have plumbed archives and conducted original research to cover
photo postcard history, art, and specifics on dating and preserving a
collection. Over three hundred photo postcards from archives and
private collections across the country display a fine range of black
and white images. Any serious photography library or collector's
handbook holding must have this.
Drawing the Line
Tom Sito
University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40508-4008
0813124077 $32.00 www.kentuckypress.com
DRAWING THE LINE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE ANIMATION UNIONS FROM BOSKO
TO BART SIMPSON provides the first comprehensive history of animators'
unions in modern times, from silent cartoons through today's big movie
hits. Any involved in cartooning will find the business and industry
insights essential to a thorough knowledge of their career choice:
history and cultural observations blend with a survey of the
entertainment industry as a whole, making for many important insights
on how the business evolved and how it affects today's working
animators.
Girls in Pearls
Claudia Lanfranconi
Merrell
1858943507 $24.95 www.merrellpublishers.com
Pearls are not just jewelry for the affluent: they're symbols of power
and social standing and have been prized throughout history. Other
books offer views of pearl culture and collectability, but GIRLS IN
PEARLS gathers the paintings, drawings, and photos of those who have
displayed and worn pearls over the centuries. From Marilyn Monroe to
Jacqueline Kennedy, art historian Claudia Lanfranconi covers the
history of artistic representations of pearls and their wearers,
offering a focus art library holdings, especially those strong in
jewelry history, will find packed with insights.
The Paintings of Ben McLaughlin
James Hamilton
Merrell
0858943582 $49.95 www.merrellpublishers.com
Ben McLaughlin paints cinematic pictures with a focus on everyday
subjects and elements of alienation and uncertainty: this is the first
study of his work and considers his influences, art, and approach,
adding in history and cultural reflections to pair well with full-page
color photos throughout. As an introduction it invites both newcomers
and familiar fans to understand McLaughlin's works and will make for an
essential college-level art library addition; especially for
collections strong in modern art.
The Beautiful Fall
Alicia Drake
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0316768014 $24.99 www.hachettebookgroup.com
In the 1970s Paris fashion led the city to become a center of
innovative trends, and plenty of books have followed this event - but
few examine the tea parties, costume balls, and events which led to
Paris' rise in the fashion world. THE BEAUTIFUL FALL: LAGERFELD, SAINT
LAURENT, AND GLORIOUS EXCESS IN 1970S PARIS fills this gap, charting
the excesses, the major designer figures at the heart of Paris fashion
marketing and creation, and how fashion became an industry unto itself.
A lively, deft review of personalities and achievements reads with the
high drama of fiction yet packs in facts about underlying motivation
and approaches lacking in other survey of Paris fashion history, making
THE BEAUTIFUL FALL key to any in-depth understanding.
Bauhaus Culture
Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Editor
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South Suite 290, Minneapolis MN 55401
0816646880 $25.00 www.upress.umn.edu
The Bauhaus was the site of one of the most influential experiments in
the art world, moving from Germany at the turn of the century to 1933
Berlin and offering an alternative to state-sponsored fine arts
academies. Today modern art still holds elements of Bauhaus tradition
and thus BAUHAUS CULTURE: FROM WEIMAR TO THE COLD WAR offers essays
from art scholars analyzing accomplishments of the Bauhaus and adding
the history essential to a thorough understanding of its unique role in
the arts. Other books on the topic review Bauhaus artistic results:
BAUHAUS culture is the other side of the spectrum: essential for an
understanding not only of the art works and artists, but for the
underlying culture which spawned them.
Paintings of Maine: A New Collection
Carl Little
Down East Books
P.O. Box 679, Camden, ME 04843-0679
0892727128 $25.95 www.downeastbooks.com
PAINTINGS OF MAINE: A NEW COLLECTION must be defined as such because
author Carl Little originally collaborated with Arnold Skolnick to
provide the original volume back in 1991. Here Skolnick serves as
picture editor on a new volume which visits Maine landscapes through
art, gathering works from three generations of the Wyeth family as well
as many other well-known American artists who painted Maine scenes. A
lovely pick for any Maine fan.
Dubai Architecture & Design
Sabrina Marreiros, Editor
Daab
Friesentstr.50, d-50670, Kolon
3937718478 $49.95 www.daab-online.com www.amazon.com
Joining others in the Architecture and Design Books series is Dubai
Architecture & Design, a fine collection of full-page color photos
displaying some thirty of Dubai's newest commercial buildings and
museums. Dubai is undergoing some significant transitions, so any
interested in world architectural trends will find this book key to
understanding one of the most rapidly-evolving urban centers in the
world. German and English text refers to Arabic settings and other
international influences, providing short paragraphs of history - but
it's the images which are the striking highlight.
Good Fences
William Hubbell
Down East Books
P.O. Box 679, Camden, ME 04843-0679
0892726768 $29.95 www.downeastbooks.com
GOOD FENCES: A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND'S STONE WALLS provides
a lovely pictorial celebration of these walls accompanied by text
surveying their history and construction. Six stone wall builders and
their works receive in-depth focus, while photos provide close-up
details profiling unusual walls. A rare, visual treat documents a
profession that leaves behind monuments of wonder from its
builder/artists.
Selling Art Without Galleries
Daniel Grant
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York NY 10010
1581154607 $19.95 www.allworth.com
Selling Art Without Galleries: Toward Making a Living From Your Art
offers artists a different way of making money without the traditional
art gallery involved: by self-promotion. This is no mean fete for the
artist without business savvy, but Selling Art Without Galleries offers
the basic keys to making it happen, from learning how to arrange
exhibitions and locate prospective collectors to selling art on the
Internet and negotiating a price. An outstanding survey covers all
points and links business savvy to an independent artist's pursuits.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
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Midwest Book Review
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