4 comments about Playing with Matches.

1. alot of info and facts also alot of art
   if your a fan of Al or Beck you'll love this book



2. Al Hansen was my advisor in college. Having said that, let me also add that his teaching continues to impact every day of my life in a most positive fashion. i had the good fortune of being a member of a small group of earnest students at Rutgers University in Newark who basically followed Al around for four years and never regretted it. perhaps, my most memorable experience was going with Al and a few other students to a party at Andy Warhol's factory for the Velvet Underground. i also collected hersey chocolate wrappers and empty camel cigarette packs for Al.



3. Do you know anything about Al Hansen? Before buying this book, I had no idea that he was such a renown member of the Fluxus/Happenings community. Al was colleages with such icons as Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and John Lennon. In the book, it is mentioned that as children, Beck and his brother Channing would be sent on missions to collect cigarette butts for their dear grandpa's art. I used to wonder how Beck could be so inventive, but now I see where his roots lie. Al is the reason we have our beloved Beck. Al is why we can today defy all sexx laws. And so even though he is deceased, it is comforting to know that his legacy lives on, not only in his art, but in his eccentric rock-star grandson.

   Note: In case you were going to buy this for your Beck-crazed teeny-bopper, be aware that this book contains some nudity.




4. beck hansen and his zany grandpa use cigarette butts as artistic media. you wouldn't think that something so trashy could be so beautiful. it's miss-shapen, partially grotesque, and acutely obtuse. human shapes composed of matches and cigarettes provide a uniquely symbolic look at what makes us-- bits and pieces of what others throw away. i personally drove from seattle to nyc to see the opening of the art exibit featured in the book. although i wouldn't suggest everyone go to such extents, injesting the book is nice start.

5 comments about The Illuminated Page: Ten Centuries of Manuscript Painting in The British Library.

1. Although this is an overview book, there is so much here to recommend it to the artist. I do C&I for my historical group (SCA) and this is such a wonderful source!



2. 
   What a marvellous collection of Illustrated Manuscripts. A couple of other reviewers stated that this was one of the best books of this kind ever published.I certainly have no dispute with them as it is the best I've seen.
   Going through this book gives one the feeling of viewing the greatest illustrated books that were the domain of the rich and powerful from the 7th. Century to the 17th.Century. Unless you were of that class,you had little chance of ever seeing,touching and certainly no chance whatsoever of owning one of these books.
   Until the Gutenberg press of the 1450's there were no printed books,which meant that any book had to be drawn and lettered printed by hand,taking years of painstaking and highly talented work.Hence,they were extremely expensive and available to the very few.Even someone who owned or had access to books like these,even they would be very lucky if they saw more than a few in their lifetime.In this book we get to see hundreds of the manuscripts from literally hundreds of these rare masterpieces.They come from all over Europe and from a span of roughly a thousand years.
   It'as amazing to think that in the 14th.Century,it was possible to build massive Cathedrals;but a book like this for the masses was not even imaginable.



3. This is one of the best books on illuminated manuscripts currently available. The book is hardcover, full color throughout, and many nice reproductions. There is a nice variety in the work shown and good commentary. If you get this at the discounted price, this is a hard book to beat in quantity and quality. Along with A History of Illuminated Manuscripts this is a must-have book.



4. What can I say? I have been researching this specific field now for the last five years, and rarely find such a magnificent reproduction as this! Excellent job on the colour balance, and many miniatures I have not seen in any other books. Well done.



5. Best "bang for the buck" period illumination book on the market. Every page is crammed with beautiful, clear color photos of ten centuries of period illumination styles. There are 'leaves' and 'hours' in there that I have never seen before. Best of all (and unlike other books I could name) it's affordable and within the reach of the true 'starving artist' (and it's about time).

No comments about Japanese Popular Prints: From Votive Slips to Playing Cards.

1 comments about Lady Head Vases.

1. A wonderful source of information for the collector, (buyer or seller) of Lady Head vases. The pictures and text provide comprehensive information for the seeker of these fine collectibles. After referring to a friend's copy of Zavada's book, I had to get my own.

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No comments about Mosaics: Practical Projects for the Home: Stylish ideas and easy-to-follow techniques with over 25 step-by-step decorative projects and over 350 photographs.

No comments about Stories in Stone: Conserving Mosaics of Roman Africa.

No comments about Sex Works: 1978-2005.