The Art Shelf
MWBOOKREVW
THE ART SHELF
Florence and the Renaissance
Alain Lemaitre & Erich Lessing
Editions Terrail
c/o Stewart, Tabori & Chang
575 Broadway, NY, NY 10012
2-87939-068-0 $24.95 1-800-225-6499
For over 200 years (from the end of the thirteenth century) Florence was
the city at the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Florence And The
Renaissance is a sumptuous volume wherein Alain Lemaitre and Erich Lessing
chart the full flowering of an extraordinary artistic Florintine
Renaissance achievement through the mediums of architecture, sculpture and
paintings. Beautifully illustrated with over 170 full color paintings,
Florence And The Renaissance pays tribute to the artists whose work has
continue to dominate and influence European art for centuries.
Immersed in Technology
Mary Anne Moser, Editor
MIT Press
0-262-13314-8 40.00
Virtual reality and the computer world offers artists the chance to create
dynamic environments which can respond to individual links. This title
examines representational technology's relationship to the art world,
exploring issues of electronic arts and providing essays which examine the
impact of cyberspace and art upon cultural studies, communications, and
community like. An important technical, college-level guide.
Illustrators 37
Society of Illustrators
2-88046-242-8 $57.50
The best in American illustration efforts is captured annually in fine
volumes and this 37th edition includes an additional 32 pages of
international efforts, with excellent color ad reproductions charting some
of the finest efforts of the year. Works selected from nearly 7,000
entries make for a fine presentation of talents.
Inside Japanese Ceramics
Richard L. Wilson
Weatherhill
0-8348-0346-1 $32.95
Art students will appreciate this first hands-on introduction to Japanese
ceramics traditions and production. This presents the basics, from setting
up a workshop and forming pots to understanding both the techniques of and
philosophy behind modern Japanese ceramics approaches. Plenty of
step-by-step black and white photos do a fine job of imparting techniques.
Smithsonian
Michael Kan's catalog of African works African Masterworks In The Detroit
Institute Of Arts (1-56098-602-6, $34.95) highlights almost ninety of the
museum's best holdings, displaying sculptural traditions during the past
three centuries and including jewelry and musical instruments. The
regional organization allows for a fine representation of works, the
essays on local history provide important background, and the maps are
important additions. Paula G. Ben-Amos' Art Of Benin (610-7, $24.95)
explores the impact of art in every aspect of Benin life and using oral
traditions, archaeological discoveries, and personal research to trace the
emergence of Benin art forms.
Art History
Marilyn Stokstad
Harry Abrams
0-8109-1960-5 $60.00
Any serious art collection or library should consider this an essential
"must have" reference providing a global history of art from prehistoric
to modern times. The global emphasis incorporates and contrasts
developments around the world, including Islamic and Third World cultures,
while over 1625 illustrations - over half in color - compliment time lines
and surveys of both artists and techniques. The scope and depth of this
title are unparalleled.
The Graphic Designer's Source Book
Poppy Evans
North Light Books
0-89134-642-2 $24.99
Use this directory to save time in locating special and unusual services;
from boxes and handmade papers to custom fonts, digital clip art, and
custom promotional items. The indexes and headings lend to quick
reference, while the focus on software, materials and supplies and
services provides names, addresses, phone numbers, and specialty
descriptions. A strong professional reference.
University of Washington Press
Ginny Ruffner's art embraces modern studio glass works and is here
captured in Bonnie Miller's Why Not? (0-295-97508-3, $29.95): a title
which draws on ten years of glass art writing and seven years of
familiarity with Ruffner's works. Plenty of oversize color photos capture
the extent of Ruffner's unique style and form, while the accompany
criticism and insights are well done and complimentary. Alan Staley,
et.al.'s The Post-Pre-Raphaelite Print (1-884919-01-4, $30.00) provides an
exhibition catalog to a variety of prints reflecting etching,
illustration, and photography in England in and around the 1860s. Enjoy a
fine presenting pairing small black and white photos when even finer
biographical and artistic sketches.
Allworth
The newly revised edition of Daniel Grant's The Business Of Being An
Artist (1-990559-33-1, $18.95) covers the basic of a popular title first
published in 1991: it tells artists how to survive and take charge of
their careers, discussing art world contacts, information sources, and
career development resources. From getting exhibited to locating galleries
and handling criticism, this covers many common concerns. Rena Shagan's
Booking & Tour Management For The Performing Arts (36-6, $19.95) is also a
winner: artists will receive specific advice on the booking and touring
process, while potential managers receive a virtual treasure trove of
information on
how to assume responsibility for a successful tour. An excellent guide to
independent arts management, everything from money management to
promotion.
Midwest Book Review: May 1996
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