2 comments about Manual of Contemporary Art Style.

1. Don't even think about stepping into an art opening without reading it. Spare yourself of any social embarrassment and learn how to behave properly in the contemporary art world setting.
   
   Seriously clever and witty! Carreño for the art world!



2. The beginning of the book is little bit cheesy when the author discusses art world as a chess game. This part probably was meant to be as warm up, wink-wink type of talk but it doesn't offer much specifics. Finally, when we leave chess/art world section, the book starts to pickup on specifics and it is great read. If you don't want to look stupid at gallery's opening night, buy and read this book to save your butt. It is very informative guide and I recommend this book to artists, collectors, plain art viewers etc.

2 comments about The Knowing Body: The Artist as Storyteller in Contemporary Performance.

1. Steinman's book really stands alone among performance art books. While there are many that document what particular artists are doing, this one offers a way in for a person who wants to perform (or know more about how performance artists work). The book is difficult to characterize: while not exactly a "how-to" manual, it inspired me to create new art and to think about how we tell stories with our bodies, with images, in front of an audience. Must reading for anyone interested in performance art, it will also be fascinating to those in theatre, playwriting, visual arts and performance of any sort. I lend mine out all the time (but it's one of a few among my many books that I make sure I always get back!)



2. For some reason, this book is still the only one of its kind, delving into the performance art philosophies of Meredith Monk, Barbara Dilley, Ping Chong, and Spalding Gray, just to name a few. Beautifully illustrated, this book explores dance and performance art from a kind of Jungian/shamanist/Buddhist perspective. You can learn from this book just what it means to be an artist--or just what it means to be alive

5 comments about How Images Think.

1. Ron Burnett's "How Images Think" is a major contribution to the current discussion surrounding images and the digital universe, and is essential reading for anyone interested in thinking about the implications of our relationship to analog and digital media. The book itself is gorgeously designed, with a luminous cover; each chapter is absorbing, and the reading experience is enhanced by the inclusion of additional sidebar comments/text, and interesting photographs. Most importantly, the text is full of intelligent and honest ideas about the contemporary process of interacting with images. It is academic and personal, complex and readable. The author's discussion of the internet as a "gateway" that transforms the computer from a device into a portal (ref. Chapter 6 "Humans--Machines"), is very astute, as are his thoughts on how current discussions of mind/consciousness often draw on metaphors used in computer science and engineering. A great book, overall, which I recommend to all.



2. How Images Think never quite lives up to its clever title or Douglas Coupland's glowing endorsement on the back cover. Ron Burnett's wide-ranging interests, as evident in his excellent bibliography, too often distract from his focus on the way images work in today's computer mediated world.
   
   Burnett is constantly skidding off on some new tangent, (entire chapters go off track) seemingly compelled to tell the reader everything he knows, even as it muddles the difficult argument he is trying to make about the locus of meaning and intelligence in an increasingly hybridized and mediated world, an argument that never becomes entirely clear.
   
   How Images Think is admirable in its ambition and presents many welcome invitations to investigate the artists and thinkers who intrigue Burnett. In the end, I was reminded of Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which I read in high school with the similar anticipation and finally disappointment in its lack of rigor.



3. What a wonderful experience! This books is both personal and critical. I was impressed with the author's range of knowledge and desire to bring new ideas to the reader. His range is wonderful!!



4. The first chapter of this book examines a photograph taken by the
   author. He use the photo to meditate on the Holocaust. It reminded
   me of the work of Roland Barthes. Overall, a great book!



5. The author's breadth really impressed... a handsome book, well-written, well-designed. The cover is unique. The book should be excellent for college level courses. I loved reading it.

1 comments about Felix Gonzalez-Torres.

1. this is not a picture book but a book that discuss about felix ideas and thoughts. beautifully presented. small format. 6" x 8".

5 comments about Recent Forgeries (Book & CD-ROM).

1. It's not only a book. It's an experience, a stop in your live, a konstant compagnion. A book always to have near just in case you want to be told a story, to find a new way to look upon your live. A creativ way. You think about it, you do it. It is so encouraging! Thank you, Viggo Mortensen!



2. As a compilation of writings and musing with photographs and muted paintings, this book reads like a very intensely personal diary/journal and family photo album with an obsession for "RED." Because of the melancholic nature of the writings, it was difficult to comprehend the reality of "Forgeries." The photos show clarity, concise images with good composition though many are personal family shots. It is an interesting view of the author's family and home life but surpising, as a celebrity, anyone would want this much exposure to one's personal private life for outsiders to take a peek. Amazingly many of these photos and location for photo shots reoccur in other publication by the author/artist/photographer. The book is for the curious but not an inspiration as a keeper for literary and artistic merits.



3. I've had this book on my wish list for some time but haven't ordered it. Now, it's no longer available here or other popular bookstores. However, I did find it from Percival Press and I didn't have to pay double! Hope this helps.



4. Viggo Mortensen, Recent Forgeries (1998, Smart Art Press)
   
   Did you know Viggo Mortensen, alternately by turns Lucifer, Aragorn, the American Yakuza, and Tex is also an accomplished painter, poet, short fiction writer, and musician? (Well, I'm taking the "musician" part on faith, because the CD had been removed from the copy of this I just finished by someone who is not me.) And I'm not talking "accomplished" like Jimmy Stewart, Jewel, and Ally Sheedy are accomplished. Nope, Mortensen can be a little loose with his verbiage sometimes, but the man's got it. (And, really, all those reviews from people who had never heard of the man until Lord of the Rings? Where you folks been for twenty years? You never saw The Prophecy? Albino Alligator? Witness? The Indian Runner? The awful remake of Psycho? Get thee to a video store.) And while I'm far less schooled in the arts of photography and painting than I am poetry, it's obvious that Mortensen's photographs have a definite thematic unity to them, when they show up in series, and that the man has an eye for what makes a good picture. The paintings, which have a more restrained Basquiat-esque feel (one wonders if Mortensen's dating Julian Schnabel's daughter had any effect on that), seem as if they're a bit more confused, but still powerful. I liked the representations of both here, certainly enough to go looking for Mortensen's other published works in those two areas.
   
   The poetry was what really floored me. The short fiction is good, but the poetry rips it up (aside, as I said, from some loose verbiage here and there). Mortensen is a man who truly understands the value of image in poetry. You'd think that obvious from someone who works in the film industry, but take a read of Jimmy Stewart's book sometime and get back to me on that. I guarantee you won't find anything as worthy of being called poetry as
   
   ...An errant vine has sprouted
   two blue flowers
   where it reaches
   roots of the lemon tree.
   They are beautiful;
   I am suspicious.
   ("Cuttings")
   
   A wonderful little book. Probably more wonderful had not some enterprising soul stolen the CD, but I can recommend it without hesitation. And come on, people, add a copy of Albino Alligator, one of the best films ever made, to your order. ****



5. He's a poet, he's a painter, he's a photographer. Don't think Viggo Mortensen is just an actor, as talented as he is in that. "Recent Forgeries" is a collage of his works of all kinds, with poetry woven together with pictures and paintings... not to mention the CD. Pieced together but never patchy, this is a must-have.

   Mortensen offers a display of poetry, often melancholy and thoughtful ("I taste the blood/that shimmered/on your lips/Lingering, like guilt does"). There's also a selection of what seem like short stories woven in, like the slice-of-life "Relay" or the charming "Bedtime Story For Henry." And of course, paintings and photographs: the vivid "Sun Losing Its Yellow," soothingly surreal "Mute," and the quiet still photographs like "School." (A mildly decayed stone gate)

   Accompanying the "Recent Forgeries" book is a CD, in which Mortensen reads his poetry out loud, including "Bedtime Story For Henry," "Clear," and a handful that are not included in the book itself. Mortensen's smooth voice is accompanied by Buckethead, DJ Bonebrake and others.

   Most people who act don't have a lot of artistic dimension beyond that. Chalk one up for the eclectic bohemian: Mortensen has mastered self-expression in different ways, and shows it well in "Recent Forgeries." There's a little of everything -- everything, that is, that can be pressed between book covers. Along the way, the photos, paint and words seem to run together into a sweeping, colorful landscape.

   Mortensen's assorted artwork can evoke anything -- his poetry ranges from funny (like the quirky "Home") to poignant to ironic, and his artwork can be soft or angular, usually filled with great waves of color. At first some of them look random, but closer inspection shows just how careful and deliberate they are. His photographs are about the only thing that stay the same -- Mortensen focuses on little things that most people would miss, like signs, trees, empty stone gates with overgrown roads, and so on.

   A rich, well-rounded look into the mind of a talented artist. Viggo Mortensen's "Recent Forgeries" is a treat for anyone who appreciates art in all its forms. A rare creation, well worth having.

5 comments about Painting from the Inside Out: 19 Projects and Exercises to Free Your Creative Spirit.

1. Haven't done the exercises yet but have given it much thought after reviewing the book



2. In this book, the author is generous with sharing her techniques, her favorite materials, and her heart. While I am not an avid fan of abstracts, the techniques applied in this book are adaptable to many styles. She gives great step by step photos and tells you every paint/paper used. I found that it was easy to substitute most from my existing palette and artist supply shelf. The narrative is very personal, making a good read amongst the art. Many of her beautiful and dynamic paintings are featured. Ms. Stroud is a contributor to Watercolor Magazine and always presents fun, dynamic challenges for watercolor artists.



3. I just received the book and have not had time to review it, however upon opening the cover I discovered the original selling price of this book NEW is $27.99. The price I paid was $49.99 plus shipping from a used book seller. The book may be good but not worth $49.99. I feel I have been taken. Shame!
   Jean



4. I have not received this book yet! Please let me know what is going on. I'm sure it will be a five star once I get it.



5. Betsy Dillard Stroud is one of those rare hyphenates who can articulate her genius as well with a pen and paper as she does with a brush, easel and canvas. That's what makes all her work so extraordinary, and what makes "Painting From the Inside-Out" the rarest of the rare - a work in which every thought and image inspires, delights and enlightens. She has raised the bar for us all, and I am grateful.
   - Robert Joseph Ahola
   - Author, The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard.

1 comments about Porcelain Painting With Uwe Geissler (A Schiffer Craft Book).

1. Uwe is a master at his craft he explains the tools the mediums and the techniques very clearly I will use the book more than once, I hope he does more books in this vein maybe with more drawings to copy for our own painting.

2 comments about Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection.

1. 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




2. 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.

No comments about Alternative Kilns (Ceramics Handbooks).

2 comments about Gilded Vessel: The Lustrous Life and Art of Beatrice Wood.

1. I bought this for a very good friend of mine and she just loves the book. She met Beatrice once as both of us lived in Ojai, CA where Beatrice lived for many years. We have been to her house also. My friend just loved her and her particular style of art.
   
   Sincerely, Terry W. Chaffee



2. 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.