No comments about Goldsmiths (Medieval Craftsmen).

No comments about Horse Mania: A Public Art Project of the Lexington Arts & Cultural Council.

1 comments about Claus Sluter: Artist at the Court of Burgundy.

1. The work of this medieval sculptor rivals anything produced by Michaelangelo or Bernini centuries later. The prolific photographs and details of his work contained in this volume help illustrate the richness of his sculpted pieces. The views from many different angles make one eager to examine it in person, in the round. Biographical information about Claus Sluter, his times and the political influences give clues about the freedom given Sluter to create so individualistically. Sluter's work is part of the medieval world in which art had a powerful message to convey and his did so in an effective and appealing way. The early reform movement, Modern Devotion, is discussed in connection with Sluter. Other superlative works of art were inspired by this movement which appealed both to the intellectuals and common man of the day. I appreciate being able to read this book and highly recommend it.

No comments about The Art of the Tinsmith: English and American.

2 comments about Jessica Stockholder.

1. Here's another installment in Phaidon's almost flawless Contemporary Artists series. Aside from a gorgeous and colorful presentation, each book includes a lengthy artist interview, a survey of the artist's career and catalog, a focused critical look at a single work or series, a collection of the artist's own writings, an artist-selected collection of writings which they find relevant to their work, and finally a detailed chronology of the artist's showings and publications and an extensive bibliography. This is a great way to be introduced to an artist's work or to better understand already familiar material. And it makes a perfectly packaged single volume to add to a collection.

   I'd seen photos of Stockholder's installations and was excited for more. When I found she had a volume in this series I was thrilled. As I'd hoped, there were more photos of even more fantastic installations - massive, colorful, and complicated constructions of as many different materials and textures as you can imagine. It all looked great.

   But my enthusiasm quickly faded. Reading the artist interview I found her to be not just a devout disciple of the art-for-art's-sake formalist school, but downright giddy about the idea. That's not a BAD thing, though its really not MY thing, but to get a perspective on where this formalism is coming from, check out some of these quotes. "I've always felt uncomfortable in museums and galleries. There's a kind of deadening in those places that I work in response to." Huh. "Even so, I love what the art institution makes possible . . . it's a place where you can express anything, and explore any thing without hurting your neighbor" (13). On her creative process she says, "I begin in a very physical place, without a lot of words. . . . There's a quiet - there are no words for what I'm going to do" (14). So if this kind of serious thinking appeals to you, go buy the book I guess, but this stuff just kept coming and systematically grated on each of my nerves. To me she came off like a beret-clad sophomore art student from a "Doug" cartoon.

   Next, viewers interested in considering her work in terms of content are left grasping at straws. The titles attached to her installations allude to a possible allegorical content (which on some occasions makes superficial connections with the materials used in the installations), begging for a psychoanalytic reading. Based on what I read in this book, there isn't too much of interest through that door, and she doesn't really tell us much to base such an analysis on. Another direction to take is to take the temporary nature of her work as a reaction against notions of art as a commodity. The book put that on the table, and it made sense. And though, yes, you can say that, the same can be said for the whole of installation art dating back decades before Stockholder got her hands in it. By not offering any real direction (certainly I didn't find any such thing in this book) on the issue of meaning or subject matter she's made a number of critics wary. Myself, after the admittedly powerful initial reaction to the brightness and color in her installations, I'm left empty and bored.

   This is not to say that I find Stockholder's work completely without value. Her work does have a strong impact on a lot of people. And she has a great eye. Also, there is a fantastic article by Jack Bankowsky (from the Oct. 1990 issue of "Artforum") I highly recommend. He has a pretty interesting take on why her work is interesting. But based on this book alone, I was ready to write Stockholder off entirely. And even now I'd have to say Stockholder's work is not my cup of tea at all.




2. While working on an installation of my own at my school, my teacher brought out this book he wanted me to look at. I was instantly amazed at the first page I opened up to. Her work is so incredibly colorful and emotive - I was/am in love. The bit of text I happened to read seemed to be very well written and I know Phaidon to be publishers of VERY good textual and graphic books. There are many beautiful illustrations and it's overall just a nice piece to own.. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone more interested in color or installation work. PICK IT UP!

No comments about Kiva Art of the Anasazi at Pottery Mound.

No comments about The Uncertainty of Objects and Ideas: Recent Sculpture.

3 comments about African Sculpture Speaks (Da Capo Paperback).

1. I just bought "AFRICAN SCULPTURE SPEAKS" and again I am pleased with the down to earth approach and examples of sculptures of the different tribes throughout Africa. Ladislas Segy is covering a far greater theme in this book than in his "MASKS OF BLACK AFRICA", however, it is a great aid for identifying some of the carving styles.



2. African Sculpture Speaks has spoken very well. One of the most interesting documentations of Sculpture I have seen in quite some time. There is a wealth of 436 illistrations in black and white, lending an impression of the significance of each piece. Also information on each tribe and the functional use of the sculptures was brillant. Segy has successfully documented an ancient tradition that is in a rapid mode of metamorphosis due to technology. But most of all African Sculpture Speaks allows you to experience a rich part of Africa in the comfort of your own home.



3. Very interesting. Information presented in a very organized way. An excelent way to get aquainted with the subject of African Sculpture. The ony flaw is that the book was published in this late edition in 1975 and so much work has been done sence then in the study of African Art that it does have some blank spots, but over all this is a good start and one of the best general works and texts that I have seen. Images are black and white, but this works to the sculptures advantage so that you can see more of the relief work and shadow. The book is very well organized, topics ranging from mythology and magic to general history and socio-cultural impacts of the west are covered.

4 comments about Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles: And Related Ceramicwares of the '50s & '60s.

1. I ordered the book and generally liked it, but was disappointed it does NOT include all the Christmas items HH made and that this is a small section of the book.. :0



2. if you are looking for information on Holt Howard collectibles, this is the book for you. I has lots of color pictures and descriptions with specifics.



3. This is one of the best books on Figural Kitchenware of the 50's and 60's that I have seen so far. Not only great pictures, but the best information about Holt Howard Collectibles as well as nock offs. I have used my copy more than any other reference book I own on Kitchenware. Walter Dworkin can't put out another soon enough. Can't wait!



4. Highly recommend this book not only for the detailed description but also for the great color photos. Most price guides have alot of descriptions but not many photos, not this one! I enjoyed reading the description and seeing a photo. A must have for any collector

1 comments about Antique Jewellery.

1. What a pleasure it is to write a review of this beautiful book. I originally read this book when it was first published. I was new to antique jewelry and had a million questions. This book is just an indispensible guide for those starting out. Her knowledge is solid, as is her advice (avoid broken, shop around, if you love it buy it!) I know many self-proclaimed experts that would benefit from reading this book. All the basics, well written and organized. BUY IT!