Reviews (2)

Irreplaceable
I own about a thousand books,and I have been asked which one I value most,or would snatch up in a fire, on my way to safety. I would give up every book I own, if necessary, but would not relinquish this book under any imaginable circumstances.I traveled from Indiana to the Whitney for the Retrospective, and stayed all day. I purchased my copy before leaving.
In our current climate,the Kienholz' work ("Portable War Memorial" comes immediately to mind)speaks with ferocity and immediacy and is a stark critic of hypocrisy and cultural gluttony.
This book is an eternal flame.

An Extraordinary Book
Published at the time of the Kienholz Retrospective Show at the Whitney Museum in 1996, this book not only documents that show with over 400 illustrations (many in color), it is also a tribute to Ed Kienholz, who died in 1994. Contributions by art historians, artists, friends and most importantly, Nancy Reddin Kienholz, make up a history that spans 4 decades. It begins with Ed's solo work in the Beat Era of the 1950s and continues with the collaborative work done by Ed and wife Nancy from 1972 to 1994. Even those who are not artists cannot help but be moved by this book. The stories are interesting, often funny and always personal. From collages to life-size environments, the work is not afraid to confront issues of cruelty or to embrace the forgotten in society. Unique vision, artistry and the materials of everyday life (collected at flea markets and junk shops) combine to make art that can be quiet with despair, cry out in anguish, or even make us laugh. Considered by some as ugly, this work is never dull or without compassion. As art historian and curator Walter Hopps says on the book jacket, "The work of Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz has had an enormous impact on the development of contemporary sculpture." I recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary art or social science -- or who just appreciates a beautiful book and fascinating story. ... Read more

Book Description

Drawings are conventionally thought of as handmade objects, on a flat surface, that can be hung on a wall. The works that Edward Kienholz termed drawings are, like his freestanding sculptures, assemblages of things found ready-made. They appeared as early as 1961, the year in which Kienholz produced the first of the room-sized sculptural tableaux that became synonymous with his name. The evolution of the drawings runs precisely parallel with that of the tableaux, stretching across the whole of his career, first as a sculptor working alone, and from 1972 in collaboration with his wife, Nancy Reddin Kienholz.

Until now the drawings have been shown and reproduced only in relation to the large sculptures. This handsome book examines this central and major body of work and explores the concept of "drawings" as a studio process for the Kienholzes ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The msot intelligent book on the artists; groundbreaking
The most intelligent book on the artists. A groundbreaking study that is also highly readable. ... Read more