No comments about The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry (Dover Books on Art, Art History).

No comments about The Story of Modern Art.

1 comments about Art from the Sacred to the Profane: East and West (Writings of Frithjof Schuon).

1. Catherine Schuon edits FRITHJOF SCHUON: ART FROM THE SACRED TO THE PROFANE EAST AND WEST, a blending of religious images and words from around the world which comes from a teacher with forty years teaching art and architecture. Nearly three hundred color and black and white illustrations are designed to pair with the text, providing both written and visual illumination and accompanying discussions of art's connection to sacred worlds.

4 comments about The Demon and the Angel: Searching for the Source of Artistic Inspiration.

1. This book allegedly sets out to discover where inspiration for art comes from. In order to do this, the author focuses heavily on the work of Federico Garcia Lorca and his theories of Duende - a dark primal emotional state from which Lorca drew much inspiration. The back cover of the book gives a vast listing of other artists, authors and poets whose names are thrown out teasingly. Unfortunately, people like Hemingway, Plath, Blake and Rimbaud are only briefly touched upon in the book, while heavy emphasis is placed on Lorca's work.

   As much as I find the concepts of Duende fascinating, I would rather just read Lorca's books. 'Demon and the Angel' suffers from misrepresentation, and readers should be warned. This is not a search for artistic inspiration. A description that is far closer to the truth would be 'Investigating Lorca's Theories and their Relationships to Other Artists'.

   Still, it does prove a fascinating read, and the limited space all the other artists are given is still a decent sampling of their art. Pretentious at times, but still a fairly motivational book for writers and artists. Just be warned who the real star of the book is.




2. I started reading it, and found myself to be lost. I felt like there was a book I should have read before this one. It seems like a continuation of something else. But, it is probably just not for me.



3. Flashes of inspiration, of originality, of that conjoining of synapses that transmit creativity to the mind/eye/hand/soul of the receiver and bring forth significant art have been assigned to a Muse, a connection with some other place, always indefineable until this eloquent little book by the intoxicatingly intelligent Edward Hirsch. As erudite as this well researched book is, it is more a companion to the learning eye and mind, much like his other forays into how to read poetry, etc. Using the centuries-old concept of the "daimon" or demon as best illustrated thorugh Lorca's "duende", Hirsch spends the first half of his book drawing us into a familiarity and asks us to be vulnerable to the concept of a mysterious spirit that enters from the bowels of the earth the body of the writer, poet, musician, composer, dancer, and induces creativity. His examples and quotations from a wide range of artists are convincing. And just when we feel sure that we understand the creative source, Hirsch takes us a step further and discusses the Rilke belief that inspiration comes down from the heavens as an angel to soar through the mind of the receptive artist and provides that out of body, inexplicable touch that we call creativity. With both sources - one emerging for the bowels of the earth as a dark demon and the other descending through the firmament to transiently rest inside the soul - Hirsch addresses just what is "creativity" and how we can better find it and embrace it. This small book speaks volumes to artists and readers alike. This is not a "self help" book, but rather a source of inspiration as powerful as any canvas or poem or symphony. Read and improve your connection with art.



4. Employing as touchstones Garcia Lorca's consideration of duende and Rilke's concept of the angel, Edward Hirsch constructs a convincingly argued, evocative "search for the source of artistic inspiration." In lucid, forceful prose Hirsch draws illustration for his argument not only from poetry (art in words)but from all the arts. His thought-provoking investigation deepens our understanding not only of the source of artistic inspiration but also of the interrelation of the arts and their common inspirational wellsprings. His illustations and exemplifications range widely among virtually all modern artistic innovators. By coming at the question of inspiration through all the arts his discussion deepens and enriches the reader's understanding, leaving him or her enlightened and stimulated.

No comments about Real Lives: Art Teachers and the Cultures of Schools.

1 comments about Art and Architecture in Italy 1600-1750, Vol. 1: Early Baroque (Yale University Press Pelican History of Art).

1. This is one of the most intelligent book I've ever read about art. It's simple, complete, full of original point-of-views. In asingle word: you can't miss it if you like the Art History!

1 comments about En Passant Par La Demeure.

1. Wonderful photos. New and interesting pictures of French interiors.
   Great gift.

3 comments about Japanese Movie Posters: Yakuza, Monster, Pink, and Horror.

1. If you buy one book on Japanese cinema this year, this is it. They have done a terrific job of laying out the history of Japanese film in poster format, in correct color no less, with
   a lot of useful information for the Japanese film buff, and collector since many of the posters are available to order right from this publication. My only comment is when will their next
   book be issued? Enjoy!



2. I discovered this new book put out by Tokyo-based DH Publishing by accident. And am glad I did. Chock full of full-page full-color posters of the most wonderfully wackiest of Japan's classic movie posters. There's everything from Horror and Monster to Samurai and Ninja, Pink (what they call soft porn) to Anime, and even some new posters thrown in. My best is easily the Sci-Fi genre, which includes the ultimate Ultraman. Also, you gotta check out some of the Monster posters, like Godzilla and some huge Ice Man creature. I bought two of these, as I knew it would make that perfect present when you've run out of ideas what to buy someone. DH Publishing arigato! I'm going to check out their other books. I hope they're as good!



3. Japanese Movie Posters: Yakuza, Monster, Pink And Horror is an eye-opening, full-color presentation of movie posters representational of the best and the worst of Japan's cinema. From lurid and graphic horror to yakuza movies to posters of Hayao Miyazaki's wondrous words of animation, Japanese Movie Posters offers an unforgettable slice of Japanese popular culture in the twentieth century. Brief yet erudite and scholarly commentaries by Chuck Stephens (contributing editor to "Film Comment", a columnist for "Kinema Junpo, and a freelance specialist in Asian cinema for publications worldwide), Tetsuya Masuda (vintage poster expert and head of the cinema section of wonder antiquarian books), and Kairakutei Black (a Japanese film critic and traditional "rakugo" comic storyteller) offer informed and informative insights into the psychology and media background of the individual posters round out this impressive collection. A unique compendium of cinematic poster art, Japanese Movie Posters is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any personal or academic Cinematic Studies reference collection.

5 comments about Paris, City of Art.

1. This book IS beautiful, and of top quality. It is about half illustration and half text, covering the history of art and architecture in Paris. There are some exterior and interior shots of different structures and buildings. However, most of the photographs are of architectural details, or are color reproductions of paintings, statues, and artifacts, similar to what you would see in an art book. There are also a lot of simple blueprints, and pen-and-ink type drawings of different structures. This makes sense, given the title of the book. However, based on some of the reviews, I thought it would contain more photographs of the city, and of the beautiful buildings in Paris. When I received it, it wasn't quite what I expected. Overall, I think it's a good value. I wish I could find a book of similar quality, but a little more like a photographic tour of the well-known and obscure corners of one of my favorite cities.



2. Beatiful illustrations. Everything you need to know about France. Awesome book to keep for generations. I love it!!!



3. This book was absolutely excellent, of the highest quality. This is the greatest picture book i've ever seen.



4. This is more of a reference book than the standard "tour book"; it is a history of Art in Paris, and that is saying a lot! Very LARGE, HEAVY volume for art history buffs that have already visited Paris. Beautiful photography.



5. BY FAR THE BEST BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF ART OF ONE OF THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORD, WHEN IT COMES TO ART. THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PAPER AND VIBRANT CRISP ILLUSTRATIONS.IF SELECT IT , IS REALLY AN INVESTMENT.

No comments about Manifesto: A Century of Isms.