1 comments about Art and Faith in Mexico: The Nineteenth-Century Retablo Tradition.

1. I have been searching for a book such as this for years! Scholars and novices alike will not be dissapointed with this comprehensive text by Elizabeth Zarur and Charles Lovell. This exceptional publication documents an exhibit of mexican retablos and ex votos held at the New Mexico State University Art Gallery (holders of THE largest collection of retablos in the USA). The catolog raisonne provides a wealth of information on the topic, that will become an invaluable reference source. The publication however goes far beyond documenting the exhibit. Undoubtably this text will become the "bible" for chronicling and deciphering these treasures. The two editors have brought together prominent scholars on the subject who comment on the works from an interdisciplinary ( art history, anthropological, folk art, and religioious) point of view. The iconography within the retablos is clearly deciphered throughout the text in a manner that will enlighten the reader who is new to these works, and will serve as an invaluable resource to the learned hagiographer. Additional topics in the text will provide the reader with information that has not been covered in other texts on the subject, such as: insights into religious orders who influenced the visual qualities and symbolism in the artworks, conservation and care of retablos in general. Of particular interest is editor Zarur's commentary on the impact of Spanish missionization upon the indigenous people of Mexico. She presents profound insights into how the fusing of these cultures impacted and altered visual representations of the saints and cult imagery. The visual reproductions of the works are exceptional! One can feel as though they are viewing the works in person. Brushstrokes, tin surfaces, and age of the artworks are evident in the photographs. Many of the works are complemented with close up photos. If you purchase one book on Mexican religious artworks this is it. You will not be disappointed with this one!

No comments about Fastner & Larson's Tricks & Treats.

2 comments about Color as Field: American Painting, 1950-1975 (American Federation of the Arts).

1. -very good essay, decent reproductions, good selection of Color Field paintings, BUT, the binding is bad. The inner hinge is very poorly designed: thin glossy paper glued to boards over rough cloth tape, which is very visible and ugly. This is one that would be better in paperback.



2. This book represents the catalog for a circulating museum show devoted to the prime movers (Morris Louis, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski and Helen Frankenthaler) in the Color Field school of painting, also called "post-painterly abstraction" by Clement Greenberg, in order to differentiate it from the more autographic type of paint handling found in Abstract Expressionism, the style that preceded it. The advocacy of the autocratic and well-hated Greenberg, America's leading art critic of the 20th century, has done much to inhibit proper scholarly and market respect for the style. The essay by Karen Wilkin, an independent art historian with a long-standing interest in the subject, is clear, concise and beautifully illustrated. My major criticism is that the enthusiasm of the author leads her to several dubious conclusions and a general lack of critical and/or comparative thinking: none of the artists have weaknesses, everyone is a good and worthy contributor, in other words, "thank you for sharing". For example, both the exhibition and the essay try to make the case for a number of secondary, even minor or weak artists (e.g. Walter Darby Bannard and Friedl Dzubas) as vital members of the movement. There is also an attempt to include major abstract expressionists like Hans Hofmann, Robert Motherwell, Barnet Newman and Mark Rothko in the group rather than considering them strictly as precursors or major influences on the development of the style. The primacy of Frankenthaler over Louis is also subtly argued for and highly debatable; the invention of a technique (the stained and poured canvas) is not the same as making a dramatic change in the quality and intent of an art form. There is a structural clarity, chromic inventiveness, absence of draughtmanship and coolness in Louis and Noland that is quite distinct from the decorative and tasteful art of Frankenthaler; these features make Color Field painting in their hands a close relation or precursor (as Wilkin points out) to 1960s Minimalism. At the same time, it is very refreshing to see an important writer give some credit, in proper proportion I might add, to Sam Gilliam, an African-American and a Washington artist like Noland and Louis, and to Ronald Davis, a Californian, who is more often remembered, if at all, in relation to the reductive abstraction of Frank Stella. Overall, this is an extremely fine contribution to the field; it covers the widest number of artists and properly situates Color Field painting alongside Minimalism and Pop as one of the major artistic developments of the turbulently productive 1960s.

1 comments about Towns and Town-Making Principles.

1. This book should be read by every county commissioner and township trustee not to mention mayor & govenor. THESE are the majority of the decision makers out in the hinterlands and many are volunteers who have little or no knowledge of the impact their decisions will have on generations to come. This book is a valuable tool and blueprint to making better land planning decisions and encouraging the best kind of development possible - all by way of models.

2 comments about Talking Prices: Symbolic Meanings of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art (Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology).

1. The book isn't easy reading, but it has some very useful information for artists regarding pricing of their work.



2. Getting a handle on the economics of the art market is much like grabbing smoke. Dealers are loath to discuss the financial side of their business and the private nature of their transactions frustrates researchers. Even the ostensibly open world of auctions is full of slippery practices. None of that deterred Olav Velthuis, whose exhaustive research into the art market yields a fascinating economic analysis. He explores the anticommercial bias of dealers and even finds some tangible factors that influence art prices. While impressive, Velthuis' work would have benefited from a more conversational, less academic tone. His fascinating price study, for instance, focuses on "coefficients" and "t-values" rather than on actual prices. Still, we recommend this study for its ambitious and intriguing attempt to shed light on a little-known corner of the economy.

No comments about Radical Light: Italy's Divisionist Painters, 1891-1910 (National Gallery Publications).

5 comments about Spectrum 11: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art.

1. I have one of these issues and I feel that when you own one, you own them all. Tevis Fen-Kortiay hit it right on the nail.



2. Spectrum 11 is a stunning gathering of exceptional talent. I'm not sure of the motives or reasons for describing it as "tepid", but that is definitely an inappropriate characterization. If anything Spectrum 11 is quite progressive--there are new approaches, new interpretations, new spins on familar themes, that make this book and the art inside both refreshing and exciting. Whether it's the political implications of Eric Joyner's cover, the biting humor of Todd Schorr's "An Alien In the Land of Make-Believe", the disturbing visions of Edward Binkley or the amazing dramas portrayed in the paintings by Jon Foster--there's plenty to not only enjoy but also to think about. If you love fantasy (of "phantasy") and science fiction art, you'll love this book!



3. A handful of experienced judges annually judge thousands of submissions. The best of the crop, of the fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and just plain weird, genres is published in a coffe-sized table artbook, Spectrum . Volume 11 is perhaps the best yet. They've increased the size fo the book both in the number of pages and physical dimensions. Also, the featured artworks seem to be more diverse and international this year.
   
   One of the pleasures of flipping through Spectrum is seeing what you recognize, "oh, there's the cover that John Jude Palencar did for Lynn Flewelling's novels, and Jaqueline Carey too."



4. I recently purchased Spectrum 9, 10, and 11. These books are absolutely wonderful, and I would recommend them to any artist or fan of fantasy/sci fi art. They are extremely well put together, of high quality (reproduction wise), have a large number and variety of artists, and contain some of the most beautiful works of art I have seen. Some of the subject matter can be disturbing or somewhat sexual in nature (certainly nothing explicit, but not exactly innocent either), so I wouldn't recomend them for the very young (12 or under?) if you are a parent. These books are worth every penny and highly recommended.



5. Continuing in the tradition of the fist 10 Spectrums, Spectrum 11 is a feast for the eyes. Gorgeous illustrations from many talented artists grace it's pages. If you are a fan of fantasy, science fiction and just plain great art, you can't go wrong if you add this to your collection!

No comments about AAM Guide to Provenance Research.

4 comments about Suits Made to Fit.

1. Wonderfully put-together coffee-table book, or for your shop waiting room, or for your own reference bookshelves. Well worth the original new price, and comes in an unexpected neat-o hard booksleeve. Kard work from many talented hands fill the pages of this publication. You'll page thru it numerous times.



2. The book description "A collection of bodysuit tattoos" causes expectations of seeing such tattoos. In reality this book merely contains drawings and sketches, and not a single photo of any tattoo, let alone a bodysuit tattoo. Disappointing.



3. I've always considered my tattoo-less body a blank slate. An empty space on which I would inscribe (so to speak) my message to the world. After seeing this book and the background (behind the scenes) info. that comes with it, I now refer to my "blank slate" as a blank CANVAS. The incredible color and details of the tattoos featured in this book are a wonderful showcase of some incredibly talented ARTISTS of our time!



4. If you are truly interested in the culture of Tattooing, this is your backpacking guide. Suits Made to Fit has excellent quality photos of the work and commentary to keep you in "the know". Put down that mocha and pick up this book.

No comments about A Practical Guide to Costume Mounting.