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Art book for non-art person

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David Farris

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Nov 19, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/19/95
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I'm not an art-oriented person, but I do have an interest in it. Could
someone suggest a good beginning book for me, pretty much for the purpose
of appreciation of art, and/or art history? Thanks a bunch.
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David Farris | Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul,
dfa...@netcom.com | ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul


David A. Freilach

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Nov 19, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/19/95
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David Farris (dfa...@netcom.com) wrote:

: Could someone suggest a good beginning book for me, pretty much for

: the purpose of appreciation of art, and/or art history?


"The Anotated Mona Lisa" (author forgotten by me) is an excellent
overview of western art history, and it's an easy read.

David Freilach
frei...@is2.nyu.edu

Twinkletoes

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Nov 20, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/20/95
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In article <dfarrisD...@netcom.com>, dfa...@netcom.com says...
>
>I'm not an art-oriented person, but I do have an interest in it. Could
>someone suggest a good beginning book for me, pretty much for the purpose
>of appreciation of art, and/or art history? Thanks a bunch.

I know you must think I sound like an advertisement for libraries and
bookstores, but have you ever tried browsing their shelves? Believe it
or not, all libraries and bookstores (at least those that want to stay in
business) group their books by subject matter. If you ask, they will
direct you to the ART sections, and let you browse to your heart's
content until you find a book that says "take me home."
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Twinkletoes © < I must have been a librarian in my former life.>
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Matt Kendrick/R. Ziesk

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Nov 20, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/20/95
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David,
What i would suggest is a 2 parter. First, go to a good book store and
start looking through the art books, you'll respond to some and not to
others. Try and find one thats a comprehensive book, rather than a book
about one or two artists. A good book about american artists (a subject
close to my heart, since i am one!) is; "an american choice" The muriel
Kallis Steinberg Newman collection From the metropolitan museum of art.
Full of photos and lots of info! The second part is go to galleries and
museums, look at the art and then look at it again!! Put enough of
yourself into viewing the work and you'll get alot out of it! Some won't
strike you and others will smack you in the face. Arts like that, alot
like life! Don't doubt your reactions, react to the art, interact with
it, don't be afarid to like or dislike something. But always keep in
mind, that there is some art you are NOT suppossed to "like". It's
supposed to affect you and make you look at the world in a different
way, it's not supposed to go with your sofa!
Opininated aren't I?! Well, of course, i'm an artist!! :)
RZ

James Kracht and/or Susan Rubin

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Nov 21, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/21/95
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David Farris wrote:
>
> I'm not an art-oriented person, but I do have an interest in it.
Could
> someone suggest a good beginning book for me, pretty much for the
purpose
> of appreciation of art, and/or art history? Thanks a bunch.
> --

I read all the other posts and what they're not telling you
is _Everybody's_ first art book was _History of Art_ by Anthony
F. Janson. Janson's History of Art is about 60 bucks new but
since it's used in hundreds of college beginning art history classes
you can probably find it at a yard sale or in a good used
bookstore or on the student For Sale board on campus just shortly
after finals when everyone is discovering that the student book
store is buying their 60 dollar book back for 50 cents 'cuz it's
gone into a new edition again.

Before I'm flamed, let me add that yes, Janson is a Western-centric,
gender-centric, very traditional worshipper of the Dead White Male,
but he's still the way to start.

I also like Shock of the New, which discusses modern art. You can
also rent it in video form. Very entertaining!

-Susn

Bainbridge

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Nov 23, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/23/95
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The best book for yuor money is "The Art Book" by Phaidon Press.
It shows 500 artists (limited to Western Art from medieval through
contemporary) represented with one work per page. The works are arranged
alphabetically rather than chronologically- yet each image seems to have
some visual link with the one opposite it. The juxtaposition of styles
and images is intriguing.

This book doesn't have a lot of blah, blah, but what it has is useful.
Read this book, view it many times.

I see something new in it every time I open it.

Susan

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