Book Description

"Kiki Smith: Telling Tales" accompanies a major exhibition at the International Center of Photography. Smith, best known for her sculptures of the human body, presents her recent photographic and multimedia work on the theme of fairy tales. The centerpiece of this book is the full-color visual essay of her renditions and investigations of the characters of Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, the biblical Eve juxtaposed with Snow White, and various enigmatic female puppets. Through these symbolic female figures, the artist explores themes of temptation and sexuality, attraction and danger, and the impact of knowledge. Myths, fairy tales, and childhood fantasies predominate.

Essay by Helaine Posner. Visual Essay by Kiki Smith. Introduction by Willis E. Hartshorn.

42 color.

8.25 x 6 in. ... Read more

Book Description

Japan has long had a thriving tradition of high-quality handcrafted ceramics, including some of the world's most sophisticated porcelains. This highly informative volume written by a leading authority describes the origin and development of the elegant Imari and Kakiemon porcelain wares which were in great demand in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Kaolin was discovered in the Arita area of Kyushu in the early seventeenth century. The first porcelain wares were made by immigrant Korean potters, from whom Japanese potters were quick to learn new potting techniques and cobalt blue underglaze decoration. Local wares were further enriched by enamel overglaze techniques introduced from China not long afterwards. High standards were ensured by the strict administration of the governing Nabeshima fief, and within just a few decades Arita had become the hub of Japan's booming export trade in high-quality porcelain.

Porcelain produced in the Arita kilns came to be known as Imari ware, named after the nearby port from which local wares were shipped. The Kakiemon family gained particular renown for the quality of their color enamels and artistic designs.

With 95 color plates illustrating some rare and classic Imari and Kakiemon pieces from museums and private collections, this volume will appeal to collectors as well as enthusiasts. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Prominent art critic Peter Schjeldahl once wrote that "to know the art of Ed Ruscha, you should know something about Los Angeles, and the reverse: knowing something about Ruscha's art will help you with Los Angeles." Today Edward Ruscha is considered a major voice in postwar American painting and one of contemporary art's most significant graphic artists. Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999 presents the entire oeuvre of this innovative artist, whose subject and sensibility are uniquely American. Ruscha began his career as a commercial artist, and the visual language of advertising and his interest in typography as both word and image have exerted a profound influence on his art over the years. He says, "I like the idea of a word becoming a picture, almost leaving its body, then coming back and becoming a word again." His works often depict the interplay between bold letterforms and a more atmospheric background, a visual strategy that has become a Ruscha signature. For example, in Hollywood (1968), Ruscha created a panoramic image of low hills dramatically silhouetted against the blazing heat and hazy sky of a California sunset. The word Hollywood, reminiscent of the famous sign, sits directly on the horizon, angled toward us in capital letters and seemingly emerging from the setting sun itself.

This catalogue raisonné was published on the occasion of the exhibition of the same name, originating at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, and traveling to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and other venues through early 2001. Both the catalogue and the exhibition document 40 years of Ruscha's innovative work, and they feature 17 artist's books, such as Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963); a group of photographs taken on the historic Route 66; and some 300 prints, including a fragrant installation made entirely of paper sheets screen-printed with chocolate. Two large, slim, silvery hardback volumes are presented in a handsome black fabric-covered slipcase. Volume 1 illustrates hundreds of prints, books, and other projects with small, numbered images laid out like a series of film cells or words going by on an LED sign. Volume 2 includes entries for each piece and essays about the prints and artist's books, neither of which have ever been discussed in a publication of this scope. --A.C. Smith ... Read more

Reviews (3)

rush to buy ruscha
a must have book for fans of Ruscha and/or contemporary art/ print collectors/dealers in general. I use this reference material frequently. my one gripe is that many of the reproductions are small and very difficult to see clearly. the two volumes are also a bit confusing. but, certainly a worthwhile addition to my art book collection.

Edward Ruscha: Editins 1959-1999
The most disapointing book I have ever bought. I am truly in a state of confusion. Mr. Engberg has made the most self indulgent art cataloug imaginable. The reproductions in this book are not just small, not tiny, but miniscule. The gasoline station photographs are literally one inch squares, while three quarters of each page is left completely blank! Ed Rusha's art work is phenomenal, and I have looked forward with huge anticipation for this book, however, I cannot imagine what was going through Mr. Engberg's mind when he made the reproductions unbelievably tiny. It seems he wanted to get in on the action and made this book with an eye for design. It is true that the each page has a nice design, but the book is, about the artwork of Edward Ruscha, not about you Mr. Engberg!!!
I reiterate the reproductions are so small that one can scarcely see them. This is not an exageration an injustice has been done. Please Siri Engberg reprint the book with consideration for the viewer. Until he does I beg you dear reader to buy any, any other book about Ruscha's art.

Ed Ruscha from A-Z with all the attractions in-between
This two-volume set about the work of LA artist Edward Ruscha is in itself a work of art. It's a complete catalog of EVERY print, photograph, series and book Ruscha created from the earliest days of his career until the end of the last century. And because Ruscha's work has its roots in graphic design, it translates well to book format. Many catalogs miss the texture or scale of an artist's work, but this one manages to capture the experience of seeing Ruscha's work in person. Add to that numerous interesting essays and more details about the artist and his work than one can ever grasp, and you'll see why I think that... it's a deal. An impressive work about an important contemporary artist. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Throughout time artists have been making art about the landscape. In Midsummer Snowballs, Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy makes art from the landscape and dramatically unleashes it upon the city. Over the winter months in Scotland, Goldsworthy assembled 13 enormous one-ton snowballs and placed them in cold storage. One summer night, he released them onto the streets of London's financial district. Londoners awoke to startling winter sculptures on their sunny sidewalks. The snowballs were filled with a variety of elements, from feathers, seeds, and pinecones to rusted metal. The element of surprise continued as the warm summer air melted the sculptures and slowly revealed their insides to the passing public. Goldsworthy, whose career has been focused on making art in nature, creates beautiful and meaningful moments with these snow pieces. The sculptures highlight each viewer's relationship to public art, from hostility to wonder, as well as the connection between the city and the countryside. The book includes a straightforward, diary-like essay on the workings of the entire project, setbacks and all. With 280 full color photographs, it is a truly lovely and inspiring book. --J.P. Cohen ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A bizzarre and wonderful concept...
Midsummer Snowballs. The very idea puts a smile on your face. If that doesn't, then a few photographs of this Summer 2000 exhibition by Andy Goldsworthy will.

This book is a photo essay and journal entries on the creation of this facinating exhibition. I was enticed by the photos, and then had to go back and read the journal to learn more about the creation of this display. A highly enjoyable, but light read by the artist. A great book to give to other people, since it's very unlikely they'd ever buy it for themselves.

more great goldsworthy
What I love about this book is that Goldsworthy moved his art to the city streets, which gives it a totally different context and impact, but equally as imaginative and startling as his earlier work. The public's reaction, as documented in the many excellent photos, ranged from wonder to hilarity to indifference, and even one very satisfied dog. The final snowball was the best -- eerie and uncomfortable, yet beautiful, and was really what convinced me to buy the book. Take a look! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pottery as well as textiles -- beautiful and harmonious
This book is wonderfully photographed and written, focusing on the history of blue-and-white textiles and pottery of Japan. Just turning the pages gives a Zenlike feeling of rightness. Table settings, linens and furnishings don't have to match to give you a feeling of eating and living in calm and harmony ... Read more

Book Description

An attempt to explain rationally the shifting styles of art, from antiquity to the present, employing modern concepts of visual perception, information theory, and learning. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fantastic book
As someone with an interest in art I found this book very interesting.
However, this book is also a classic example of how a non-fiction book should be written. It flows smoothly from topic to topic, is not written on too high a level, but on the other hand does not insult your intelligence.
His other book are also very good.

Fascinating insights
I spotted this book in a museum exhibit--it was related to the paintings being shown. Since the museum didn't have any copies in its bookstore, I ordered it here. If you're interested in related insights and learning to draw yourself, you should order Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and Drawing on the Artist Within, by Betty Edwards. Nina Keilin

An extremely though-provokling and worthwhile book
In this now classic work, Gombrich uses his command of the history of art to reflect deeply on how creators and viewers of illusionistic, that is representational art, do what they do. While he wrote this in the 50's, and is deficient when it comes to issues of abstract art (which is really outside his stated purview) he comes close to what might now be termed a post-structuralist view of seeing, certainly an extremely careful and sophisticated one. Old-fashiioned as some of the language is, the book remains fresh and well worth reading or re-reading. The numerous and very well-chosen illustrations are unusually well coordinated in their placement, so that the reader rarely is forced to lose her place while thumbing back and forth in search of them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awesome Inspiration
For anyone interested in Japanese art, this is a must-have publication for your collection. This large format, coffee-table style display book allows for the prints to be large and show amazing detail. There are lots of pictures (of the prints) and the text is easy to understand. I highly recommend it...loved it! Also, it is great inspiration for those interested in Oriental Collage Art.

beautifully laid out...great choices!
i love the prints that the author and editors chose to include in this book. they did not only use the famous hiroshige prints. and they did not only include recent prints. besides the beautiful reproductions, the text in this book is amazing. it gives the reader heaps of background information on the art and the culture. a great gift for anyone with a passion for japan! ... Read more

Book Description

A detailed and generously illustrated study of the intricate art of mosaics, as seen through examples from this comprehensive collection. The range of objects is enormous - from jewelry and snuffboxes to large pictures and tabletops. Based on the leading collection founded by Sir Arthur Gilbert and donated to the UK.
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Finally - a Fabulous Book on Micromosaics!!
Finally! Finally, there is a book on Micromosaics, and what a wonderful book! Prior to the publication of Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's masterful research job, there have been no books available to the collector of Micromosaics or for anyone who wants to read about a little-mentioned, and fading art. And who better to write the book then Ms. Gabriel who has been Sir Arthur Gilbert's Private Curator since 1994. Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection which now resides at Somerset House in London can only be equaled by the collections of The Vatican Museum in Rome and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

There are a number of books that cover the vast and impressive Gilbert Collection: "Gold Boxes", "Monumental Silver", "Portrait Miniatures in Enamel," "Gold and Silver," "Hardstones" and now "Micromosaics." As I happily have the other books in my library - I can honestly say that the micromosaic book must have been the most difficult and yet it is extremely comprehensive. Ms. Hanisee's scholarly work on "The Gilbert Collection: Hardstones", must have been a bit easier to write as there is so much information on the art of Pietra Dura and Hardstone. Micromosaics is another ball of wax as so little was written - and I'm sure if it was to be had - Ms. Gabriel uncovered the information.

The Appendix has a fascinating section written by Professor Massimo Alfieri "New Notes on Giacomo Raffaelli and Michelangelo Barberi" two of the leading Master Mosaicists of the 18th and early 19th century ---- fascinating. It takes you to the time of the workshops, with letters, sales receipts, drawings and the like. Not only revealing, but just plain fun for devotees of the period. One can also find a section on techniques and materials used in the making of these compelling masterful and minutely executed works of art.

Seeing the fabulous color plates on almost every page, the items in the collection, one finds themselves rubbing their eyes in bewilderment over the artistry of these rare and intricate pieces. The footnotes are so interesting and well-written that they are a book within themselves, and my only wish was for a third hand to mark the place as I turned from text to illustration to footnote and back to text. In many books one tends to skip a lot of the footnotes, unless they pertain to a particular interest -- but Ms. Gabriel has added fascinating information and I told myself it was worth the digital exercise to read each and every one.

Lastly - Jeanette Gabriel has masterfully included very detailed Biographies of the known artists of the time and the literature connected with these artists; a Glossary - with full descriptions; a seven page Bibliography; Exhibition Histories, and an extremely well-written Index.

"The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics" may look like a sumptuous coffee table book of 310 pages (which it is:), but it is definitely not fluff and mirrors -- it is a serious and fascinating work which should included in any library of Decorative Arts.

Obviously - I think it's just great, I thank Ms. Gabriel, and I give it 5 stars.

Margot Conte

Author Responds
Thanks to all of you who have sent me such lovely comments about this book and the Gilbert Micromosaics. Since the Gilbert Collection museum in London was formally opened by the Queen Mother in May, 2000, it has been deluged with inquiries. Thus, I have decided to take questions regarding expertise from my office in California. There will soon be a website with a link to this Amazon.com site for those wishing to purchase the book, and a link to me: gilbertcurator@aol.com.

Thanks again. Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Private Curator to Arthur Gilbert and the Gilbert Collection.

The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics
This is a beautiful and informative book with insights into historic and technical aspects of micromosaic provided by the leading authority on this art form. Beautiful close up photographs reveal the intricate details of these little treasures. This book is a must have for micromosaic and decorative arts enthusiasts and a beautiful addition to any library. ... Read more

Book Description

With over 80 full-color photographs and 6 full-sized templates per book, Moroccan Style and Roman Style are fully illustrated and offer clear step-by-step instructions for creating mosaics on any surface, using a range of materials that include glass, ceramic and marble

Moroccan Style draws on timeless Near Eastern designs, patterns and colors that are easy to create with modern materials. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

WOW! Great ideas!!!
The mosaic designs in this book are beautiful! It is packed with ideas for the designer hoping to add Moroccan flare! From tiling to painting you will be able to add a little style to walls, floors, plates, etc... A thorough instruction of Moroccan Mosaic Design Definately worth the price! ... Read more

Book Description

Emerging in the 1980s, Richard Prince combines the media of painting, artist's books and photography to offer peculiar views into the margins of American culture.

Prince's highly idiosyncratic subject matter - such as one-line jokes in the style of 1960s cartoons, Marlboro cowboys and motorcycle gangs - is central to his work. In the late 1970s Prince was working for the cutting services of Time Life publications in New York, and began to re-photograph advertisements and compose his own pictures from this highly-familiar 'pop' imagery. Recently his work has taken an unexpected turn, and the artist has emerged as a consummate painter, producing some of the most unusual and admired works in the current painting scene. ... Read more

Book Description

KEY BENEFIT: Written for individuals who have little or no knowledge of the arts, Perceiving the Arts has a specific and limited purpose: to provide an introductory, technical, and respondent-related reference to the arts and literature. KEY TOPICS: Intended to give basic information about each of the arts disciplines–drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, architecture, music, theatre, dance, cinema, landscape architecture, and literature–the book seeks to give its readers touchstones concerning what to look and listen for in works of art and literature. MARKET: For arts and humanities instructors and enthusiasts.

Reviews (3)

Pretty good book
I have taught a course on the Humanities using this book, and found it mostly spot on in its specific contents.How to present all of the Humanities using one paperback?But - with just a few exceptions - this presents a good first look and useful rules of thumb in approaching the various disciplines.In areas that are underserved, such as Landscape Art, it actually fills a void.I recommend it and will use it again.

Informative
I used this book for my introduction to fine arts class and thought it was very good. Easy to understand and follow, and gave good information straight out without haveing to search for defintions or other stuff.

If it were possible....
If it were possible to describe this book in stars it would be 0 stars.Here are just a few of the problems found within the text.1) Writing is boring.2) Some of the pictures are repeated in the black & white sections.3) The usage of webpages instead of having illustrations & pictures makes the text boring.4) No companion website for the web addresses noted.

In other words - it can bore a student to death! ... Read more

Book Description

Learn how to create objects such as a delicate floral jewelry box using colorful fragments of glass, broken tiles and china.Inspired by magnificently crafted ancient mosaics on walls and ceilings, this books contains 20 exquisite ideas demonstrating all the basic techniques using modern materials for contemporary designs, from a rich jewel-colored nightlight to a bathroom floor decorated with a lively, riverside scene. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pretty things
The instructions for the mosaic projects in this book are not as thorough as some other mosaic books, and the text and step-by-step photos are a little small for my taste, being that I like them to be easily visible at a safe distance from the project I'm working on. However, the instructions are adequate for beginners, and there are certainly a variety of fairly easy, pretty project ideas. There's a nice mosaic-encrusted wine bottle, a lamp that includes undetailed instructions for its wiring, a charming chest of 5 mini-drawers, a lovely clock face, a couple of mirrors that nicely show how to attach the mirror as well as the mosaics, an attractive partially-covered flower pot, some small ceramic square tiles decorated with several different mosaic designs that can be used for a variety of decorative purposes, and other projects. This is a fairly good book for a person getting started, but serves better as one to add to your collection as a resource for ideas.

Helen Baird makes the art of mosaics easy!
I've been a glass artist for some time now. I came across Helen's book and really love it. She explains techniques very well and gives you some great projects to do. Some of the projects in the book are clocks, love letter rack, aztec box, flower pot and many more. A great book for the beginner or experienced glass artist! ... Read more

Book Description

The only museum devoted to East Asian Art to open in England in the last 30 years, the Museum of East Asian Art amasses a formidable collection of Chinese art, notably ceramics, jades, and metalworks. This volume presents the museum's fine collection of Chinese ceramics, ranging in date from the Neolithic to the Qing dynasty. ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in 1972 by Friends of the Earth, A Sense of Place is a remarkable look at the American continent over the past four centuries. Award-winning artist Alan Gussow presents a powerful collection of paintings that range from the earliest depiction of America by a European (John White's Indians Fishing, c.1585), to contemporary masterpieces such as Reuben Tam's White Sea.

For each picture-including works by Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, George Innes, Georgia O'Keeffe, Anne Poor, Albert Bierstadt, Wolf Kahn, and many others-the author provides a selection of the artist's own words that describe the painting and the scene that inspired it, along with a brief introduction to the artist and his or her work. An introduction by National Book Award and Pulitzer prize winning poet Richard Wilbur explores the complex relationship between artist and land, while a new preface by Gussow discusses the history and enduring importance of the book.

Island Press/Shearwater Books is proud to bring forth a new edition of this stunning, long out-of-print volume.

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION: "[A Sense of Place] is astonishingly successful; no careful reader should see art-or nature-in the same way again."-Time "[These] paintings, done in joy by [artists] swamped in the colors and forests of an Earth old, yet alive, convey a statement in spite of themselves on behalf of the land, the spectrum of light in the air and the full panoply of Creation." -Edward Hoagland, Life "Even the most ardent conservationist cannot match the eloquence of these paintings."-Anatole Broyard, The New York Times ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The End of Landscape
A SENSE OF PLACE links the human with the natural: people make, and are made by, parts of our earth. Landscape artist and conservationist Alan Gussow has organized 63 well-chosen colorplates reminding us that paintings record the known landscape, the unknown frontier and what might be forgotten once nature and people meet. The book is a beautiful way to get to know the names in landscape art and see how the United States has changed over time: late 16th-century John White's "Indians fishing" in the Virginia colony organized by Sir Walter Raleigh; early 19th-century Thomas Cole's "Landscape with dead trees" and George Catlin's "Prairie meadows burning - Upper Missouri"; mid-19th century stained glass window specialist John LaFarge's "Bishop Berkeley's rock"; late 19th-century David Howard Hitchcock's glowing "Halemaumau" volcano; early 20th-century Marsden Hartley's rambunctious "Smelt Brook Falls" and Charles Sheeler's precise "Rocks at Steicher's"; mid-20th-century Edward Hopper's "Cobb's house" on comfortable Cape Cod and Georgia O'Keeffe's elegant "Sky above clouds II"; and late 20th-century Sidney Goodman's chilling "Landscape with 4 towers" and Anne Poor's delicate "Gertrude's bouquet." Readers get more specifics from William Gaunt's TURNER, Patricia Junker's JOHN STEUART CURRY, and Bernard B. Perlman's PAINTERS OF THE ASHCAN SCHOOL. It also is interesting to do comparison reading into Paul Machotka's CEZANNE and Richard Thomson's CAMILLE PISSARRO. ... Read more

Book Description

The all-female world of Margherita Manzelli fuses an exploration of the self and its acceptance. Her painted and drawn figures look out at the viewer with expressions of melancholy and wonder--the feelings of empathy that result are only natural. Yet the figures clearly conceal as much as they reveal. Manzelli is fond of using the Jungian concept of the "persona"--the image of ourselves we construct to face the world--to represent her own thoughts and identity. Paintings are usually constructed on three planes: the figure, the figure support, and the background, which is often presented as a fluid, empty place. The figure shown is usually an evidently mute, still woman who confronts the viewer with penetrating eyes. There is almost an awkward, erotic edge composed of displacement, loneliness, and discomfiting images. Each represented figure, a persona or alter ego, is both an intellectualized invention and a psychological projection. Manzelli does not work from photographs or live models, only her own imagination. Her work represents invented personas to which the artist reluctantly admits, "I would like them to be different from me. And yet I realize that this very desire is symptomatic of the fact that something of myself remains in them."

Essays by Paolo Colombo, Enrique Juncosa and Margherita Manzelli.

Hardcover, 8.25 x 10.5 in. / 235 pgs / 169 color and 50 b&w. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Truly Beautiful Life
THE GILTED VESSEL is a beautiful book about an amazing woman and potter. Her life is more wonderful than any fiction and her pottery is exquisite. The only flaw is that it is too short; I want more. ... Read more