No comments about Solid-Colored Dinnerware: Depression to Mid-Century (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

2 comments about Hot: The Men of Hot House.

1. Hot men from HOT HOUSE...hot men in hot situations and poses from HOT HOUSE...hot men from HOT HOUSE in hot films from HOT HOUSE...LET'S JUST SAY ITS HOT, HOT, HOT!



2. "This photobook is chock full of the stars of Hot House porn videos! Their aggressive sex appeal, massively-trained bodies and pure masculinity are inspiring from the first page. The solo portraits will make your mouth water. This is pin-up photography at its best!"--© zebraz

2 comments about Plop: Recent Projects of the Public Art Fund.

1. "Plop" is an extensive, if not truly comprehensive, look at the New York City-based Public Art Fund's recent projects of public contemporary art in media ranging from light to performance. It includes memorable work by distinguished artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Jeff Koons (his famous flower puppy at Rockefeller Center), Mariko Mori (Her UFO spaceship "docked" indoors in the Madison Avenue building adjacent to 5th Avenue's Trump Tower.), Takashi Murakami (An assemblage of aliens depicted on balloon sculptures in Rockefeller Center with its roots in Japanese anime and probably William Gibson's cyberpunk fiction too.), and Nam June Paik (a dazzling laser light show and sculpture at Rockefeller Center). It also includes work by up-and-coming conceptual/performance artist and sculptor Anissa Mack, whose "Pies for a Passerby", a kitschy Americana performance piece, received some curious national and international attention two years ago (An astute blog columnist wrote a well-reasoned essay back then arguing that this work was not art; I believe it is still posted on the internet.). Notably absent is the sculpture installation by the late George Segal, the distinguished sculptor noted for his realistic papier mache sculptures of ordinary people doing ordinary things - and I might add, a fellow alumnus of Stuyvesant High School - exhibited late last year near Central Park's Grand Army Plaza (southeast corner of the park, across the street from the Hotel Pierre). While the Public Art Fund's aims are truly admirable, much of its work on display tends to be too whimsical (e. g. work by Koons, Mack and Mori, to name but a few). As such it lacks the gravitas I've seen in excellent work by such prominent Tucson, Arizona artists as painters Robert Colescott, James G. Davis, Alfred Quiroz and Jim Waid, photographers Harold Jones, Joe Labate and Frances Murray and last, but not least, performance artist, sculptor and poet Ned Schaper (aka Mat Bevel).



2. If someone told you that there was an exhibition of plop art at your local museum, would you rush over to see it? Probably not. But, you should because plop art is some of the most exciting, innovative art to be found.

   The name "plop art," which is sometimes used in a pejorative manner, refers to public art that is not considered to have any relation to its surroundings. In other words, it's "plopped" there. What a wonderful surprise that can be! Have you seen Jeff Koon's huge puppy made of flowering plants in Rockefeller Center? You can't help but smile.

   For a quarter of a century buildings, plazas, parks, and streets in New York City have been the recipients of amazing art installations, all thanks to the Public Art Fund, an organization that enthusiastically supports contemporary art.

   "Plop: Recent Projects of the Public Art Fund" presents projects by 45 internationally acclaimed artists whose works now decorate New York City. Among the artists included are Vito Acconci, Louise Bourgeois, Martin Creed, Dan Graham, Kim Sooja, Jeff Koons, Mariko Mori, Takashi Murakami, Paul Pfeiffer, Brian Tolle, and many more.

   A discussion of the pros and cons involved in making contemporary art for the public is also found in this 256 page volume boasting 500 illustrations.

   - Gail Cooke

No comments about Cildo Meireles (Contemporary Artists).

No comments about Greek Vases in New Context: The Collecting and Trading of Greek Vases - An Aspect of the Modern Reception of Antiquity.

No comments about The Castellani Fragments in the Villa Giulia: Athenian Black Figure, Vol. 2.

No comments about Knossos Pottery Handbook: Greek and Roman (British School at Athens Studies).

No comments about Concise Guide to European Porcelain.

1 comments about Olafur Eliasson: Your Lighthouse.

1. This book covers Olafur works from 1990 to 2004. It lists 146 works. The photographs convey the works quite well. The texts are concise, and factual, and without the art historian rhetorics. Larger format of 9 1/2"x12". Printed on nice heavy paper. Quality of image is very good but could have been better (grainy).
   Olafur have pushed the envelope of light following the footsteps of James Turrell, Robert Irwin, Dan Flavin, and etc.
   Olafur is certainly one of the bright lights from the multitudes of artists.

No comments about Pots in the Kitchen.