1 comments about Joakim Eskildsen: The Roma Journeys.

1. This book is wonderful for its abundance of truly great, intimate, revealing photographs -- and for its intelligent and insightful brief texts about a Gypsy culture that has been little understood for centuries.
   
   The book is arranged in seven main sections, each representing an in-depth insider's perspective of the daily lives of Roma Gypsies who live in communities in seven very different countries. We are able to soak up the visual richness of the Roma's personal surroundings and unique ways of living while they adapt to (and resist) the influence of the dominant cultures of Hungary, India, Greece, Romania, France, Russia and Finland.
   
   Overall, The Roma Journeys is an important document and exploration of a unique group of people as they live their lives in the midst (or on the fringes) of seven distinctly different cultures. At the same time, it is a beautiful photo book.
   
   We are made to understand the level of prejudice and hatred that the Roma suffer almost universally in the world. We bear witness and begin to understand, too, how and why they refuse to adapt too much to outside cultural influences. We are also able to see the daily celebrations of the simple things in life, and the love and joy they share along with the hardships they endure.
   
   We are told: "Throughout their history, the Roma have been subjected to persecution, expulsions across Europe, slavery in Romania, prohibition on the use of the Romany language, and other creative attempts to misuse, assimilate or extinguish their people. Many Roma still have to deal with discrimination on various levels, and in all European countries, the general attitude towards them is at least suspicious."
   
   This book is the result of seven years (2000-2006) of travel and living within each of these communities in an attempt to understand the people and their culture.
   Joakim Eskildsen took the photos (all remarkable, and with a lovely mix of color 4x5s and black-and-white panoramas). His traveling partner, Cia Rime, wrote all of the texts, which read like an engaging mix of journalism, sociological study and personal diary notes.
   
   The book is big, heavy, beautiful, and not a bit too long. It is equally pleasing to read it straight through from cover to cover (over several days or weeks), or to flip through it at random and soak up the richness of the imagery. The differences in lifestyles within each national culture is quite surprising, too. The gypsies in Finland seem very, very different from their cousins in Hungary or Greece.
   
   The book also includes a CD of a "sound collage" of music and daily life which is perhaps the only weak element in this project -- but it's worth listening to one time while looking through the book.
   
   Hats off to everyone involved with this book. It is the kind of book you can enjoy and treasure for a lifetime.

No comments about Unseen Mendieta: The Unpublished Works of Ana Mendieta.

No comments about Whitney Biennial 2008 (Whitney Biennial).

4 comments about Tim Biskup's 100 Paintings.

1. Great book displaying 100 miniature paintings by Tim Biskup. Also has a nice short introduction telling the history of the project and what inspired him to do it.



2. An inspiration, the only problem being that 100 is far too small a number. So here I am waiting for the 500



3. Here's a little gem for you. It's on my bedside table just in case I'd feel grumpy or can't get out of bed again. Within seconds Tim Biskup has me in a world of beautiful colours, frisky little birds and happy monsters. The 1:1 scaled pictures are so powerfull, they'll bring me right into Tim's mind. What a trip! Enjoy it everytime I look in it, Mr. Biskup makes this world a better place and his paintings make me jump out of bed with a big smile! Goodmorning! Time for breakfast!!!



4. You've got to be kidding that this book sells for as little as it does. No doubt the diminutive size of each reproduction figures into the low price, but the quality is first rate throughout. Tim's imaginative renderings (at actual size in the reproduction) are bright and crisp and colorful and energetic and...and..and.... If your house, like mine, is filled with coffee table art books, this bite size morsel is just perfect to fill in the little crack left in a wall of books. Not only do you get spectacular images, Tim has included information in the back about when and where each picture was shown. Each image is placed on a black matte background which launches the image toward you. The binding in the book is first rate and will last well into the future when it becomes that hard to find collectors' item in 3004. And if you're reading this review you know you don't even have to get up and go out the door to get it, so get it!

5 comments about Amano: The Complete Prints of Yoshitaka Amano.

1. The book is well put together and has great image quality, but unless your a big Amano fan than this book is probably not for you. Honestly I wish I could truly give this book 5 stars because I love his ink designs but some of his fairy concepts is not my cup of tea. As for range this book delivers like few art books do and you truly get a feel for his style and what he's about.
   If you got the change to spend and love art books than this will make a great addition to your collection. Otherwise I would go to a store and flip through it a bit to see if it is for you.



2. I've seen his work on the Arts channel and am impressed, but when I looked at this book I was disappointed. I hadn't realized he did violent, prurient comic books for adults, and much of this book is devoted to those examples. However, his line and color and the flowing mystic quality are what attract me, but I am turned away by his subject matter.



3. This is an amazing item! The art work is simply stunning. Since words are inadequate to describe this book, you must buy it immediately!



4. The book is wonderful but keep in mind half of the book is a catalog of his work (for other words ton of pictures that are inch and a half by an inch).



5. This book is a perfect artbook, an wonderful edition, with an excellent paper, and high quality images. Some pages can unfold and form large and amazing images.
   This book has a complete collection of the drawings and paintings more remarkable of the author,and reflects the influence of the traditional Japan and the modern occidental arts.
   It is an artbook that you cannot let have if you really admire Amano's works.

No comments about Hasselblad Masters.

1 comments about Rembrandt Drawings: 116 Masterpieces in Original Color.

1. Rembrandt's drawings, though monochromatic, deserve to be in color. The variations in his pen lines and washes are part of their greatness, and I've waited for decades to see a book like this. I'm surprised it's in hardcover (I have about a thousand Dover books, all paperbacks) so it costs a few extra dollars, and it's no surprise that at least most of the reproductions are generations removed from the originals, but I'm hardly complaining. Up till now I haven't found a complete color collection of his drawings, and he is one of history's greatest (and most subtle) draftsmen, so this is a gift to the world. If we ever get a book like this reproduced from the originals, it will probably cost over $100.
   And regarding the artwork, I'll quote my elder colleague and master draftsman, Don Lagerberg: "The older I get, the better Rembrandt gets."

5 comments about Living the Artist's Life.

1. As an artist and former gallery owner, I recognised much in the candid and heart-rending story of Paul's rise in the art world. The good news is that this book has a happy ending, and the message of the book is that it is possible to make a career in the art world if you persevere. And grow some thick skin.
   
   I'm sure other artists will feel that this book was written for them, as I did. Paul's frankness regarding depression, rejection and despondance will sound familiar to a lot of artists. He offers no-nonsense advice on handling these all too common factors in the process of creation - like the friend who tells you to get up, dust yourself off and get back on the horse every time you fall off.
   
   
   Paul also offers sound advice on approaching galleries - which worked for me recently - and outlines basic contracts and agreements. He discusses some of the other business aspects of selling art which I think will be helpful and enlightening to both artists and gallery owners - such as insurance, promotion, and sales etc. He also gives examples of prices - very helpful information which most people are unwilling to talk about.
   
   I suspect I'll be reading this book again in a month, a year, and five years time. We all need a bit of practical advice in this difficult career (whether you choose it or it chooses you) and I highly recommend this book to any creative person, or spouse of creative person to help them understand the craziness that is the artists life.



2. Wonderful book for not only artists but everyone who loves art.
   It was my number 1 book of the year!



3. Mr. Dorrell offers a personable, inspirational guide to personal success as an artist, using a self-deprecating, humorous, and sincere memoir of his own journey as an art dealer and writer. This book was insightful and truly conveyed the author's love for his work and his artistic clients, as well as his desire to assist aspiring artists.



4. Paul's book is written with style and humor. This career we've chosen is not an easy one, and this book gives practical advice and "insider information" about how to deal with critics, rejection and snobbery. He doesn't dwell on the negative, but gives inspiration and great advice on how to be succesful as an artist.



5. I wish I had found this book when I was a student; it's profound in its basic approach. I now have a modest reputation as a painter, however, the preamble suggested in the book was not suggested when I was younger. This should be a must-read for every art student and made available in every library. I was particularly interested in the discussions of depression, perseverance, and marketing one's work with dignity. I thought I would never read another "how-to" book, but this work changed my mind.

5 comments about Boring Postcards USA.

1. First a word of clarification. These are not postcards to be mailed. I didn't read the description clearly. This was only my fault, but someone else out there might make the same mistake.
   
   Second, the publisher's description and viewers' comments are correct: These are boring, charmless, insipid images, that might tell us a lot about who we think we are -- perhaps of how proud small-town America was of its new airports, bus terminals and banks after the war. But I thought that not including any reflections by a student of our culture (Lord knows there are enough candidates), was just plain cheap, and makes this little book, well, boring.



2. I have owned this book for several years. Once in a while, I break it out if I yearn for something nostalgic or a break from the present-day pace. The sometimes placid and unassuming images cause the reader to consider a simpler time. It never fails to entertain. Yes, it has humorous images, some staged--yet others seem to be a snapshot of everyday life. The postcards depicting tacky motel room interiors are fun. Any reader could imagine a nice restful escape in these quarters. If anything, this book encapsulates a time gone by but not forgotten. Hardly boring as the title implies, these postcards are a comfort and a great page-turner for those that want to de-stress.



3. I bought this gift as a "funny" Christmas present. Most of the pictures don't even look like they were postcards (just pictures) ... nor can you tell when / where they are from... and most of them are just pictures of interstates... the commentary under each of the picture is sort of random too... just not what I thought it would be...



4. I read reviews before I purchased this book, and followed the advice of the positive ones. I actually sent this book back the day after I received it. Thank goodness for free return shipping. BORING BORING BORING
   Nothing fun about this book at all.



5. This is an awesome book, made up entirely of old postcards with pictures of highways, restaurants, airports, and other prosaic places.
   
   The postcards aren't like the ones you see today, photographs of beautiful places. They look like someone snapped a picture of the highway or restaurant, without even bothering to pick a scenic spot. Only, many of them have captions describing the pictures as 'beautiful' or 'scenic.' That only makes it funnier.
   
   On the one hand, I applaud the use of average, even somewhat ugly images in this book to convey a feeling of time and place. At the same time, I can't believe anyone thought these pictures would make good postcards -- even decades ago.
   
   The pictures are quirky and make me laugh. Best of all, they feel like a window into another time. I can look at these photographs and feel like I'm there... in that prosaic, rather ugly place, probably filled with real people with all their quirks and oddities. It's like a time machine!
   
   All in all, I'm very glad I acquired this book.

1 comments about Museum Careers: A Practical Guide for Novices and Students.

1. Museum Careers: A Practical Guide for Students and Novices by N. Elizabeth Schlatter covers just about every aspect of the field, ranging from the reasons to choose a museum career (and the potential drawbacks) to practical advice and resources for job seekers.
   
   This book is written in a casual, friendly tone that captures the reader from the beginning. It is both engaging and chock full of useful information that you will need when launching your museum career.
   
   Museum Careers is divided into three parts: Museum Work, Museum Jobs, and Preparing For and Gaining Museum Employment. Chapters include Museum Trends Affecting Employment, Finding and Applying for Jobs, and Professional Development and Career Growth, as well as detailed chapters explaining a wide variety of museum positions.
   
   Schlatter begins with an explanation of why she chose museum work, which she calls "an altruistic yet selfish calling." People become museum professionals for a host of reasons, including a love of objects or museums themselves, an opportunity for lifelong learning, or an engaging and creative work environment.
   
   The drawbacks are well-known in the field, and Schlatter does not shy away from telling it like it is. The first obstacle is, of course, the notoriously low salary. It is important to realize that the benefits of museum work almost never include a fat paycheck, but life isn't all about money. The workload is often heavy, with mandatory overtime at after hours events and programs. In a post 9/11 economy, many museums have had to cut back to balance budgets, which translates into fewer staff members performing more duties.
   
   I was glad to see Schlatter mention the geographic limitations of museum work as another drawback. I seldom see this referenced, although I am always telling my interns about it. You will almost always have to move to find your ideal museum job. The more limited your geographic search, the fewer opportunities you will find. If you are unwilling to move, plan to spend an even longer period of time searching for employment.
   
   Toward the end of the first chapter, Schlatter reminds her readers that you do not have to be "intimately familiar" with the museum's specialty, but you should be enthusiastic about it. "A general rule of thumb for museum work is that if you dislike the mission, you'll hate your job," she writes.
   
   Schlatter mentions several important trends affecting the profession as a whole, the most important being a shift toward education. "The stereotypical curator of the mid-twentieth century (an overeducated male connoisseur who reveled in his acquisitions, arcane research, and elite insular network of peers) became obsolete," she says.
   
   Today, curators work as part of a broader team, more closely focused on education - through programming, exhibitions, and outreach.
   
   The center section of the book focuses on detailed descriptions of each position found in the museum profession, divided by Jobs Focused on Objects and/or Exhibitions, Jobs with a Public Focus, and Jobs with an Administrative Focus. Included are the following:
   
   Director
   Conservator
   Curator
   Designer
   Exhibition Manager/Developer
   Librarian/Archivist
   Photographer
   Preparator/Art Handler
   Registrar/Collections Manager
   Development Officer/Membership Manager
   Editor
   Educator/Volunteer Manager
   Information Officer
   Marketing Manager/Public Relations Manager
   Retail Manager
   Security Chief
   Visitor Services Manager
   Administrator/Finance Officer
   Facilities Manager
   General Counsel/Attorney
   Human Resources Manager
   Technology Manager
   
   Each job title is explained in great detail, followed by salary ranges; education, experience, and skills; and resources for job openings specific to that position.
   
   The book's third and final section focuses on how to prepare yourself for and find a job within the museum field. Schlatter examines undergraduate majors and graduate programs, outlining a wide variety of options ranging from a Master's of Arts degree to various certificates. She stresses the need to serve as an intern or volunteer as you prepare for your future career.
   
   Schlatter concludes with advice about where to find museum jobs, how to prepare a resume and cover letter, and what to expect during the interview process.
   
   The conclusion of the book, called "Life Outside the Museum," really struck home with me: "The final tidbit of advice is to remember that life exists outside of the museum, not just the museum you work for but also the industry as a whole. Many people joke that a museum career is not a job, it's a lifestyle. We spend our free time visiting museums, learning more about our field, reading the latest publications...."
   
   In my own experience, this is absolutely true. A museum career is rewarding and frustrating in many ways, full of both opportunities and challenges. But every day, I can honestly say that I love what I do, and I can think of nothing better I could have done with my life.
   
   I thoroughly recommend Museum Careers to anyone thinking of dabbling in this world. It provides not only a ton of practical advice, but Schlatter is completely honest about every aspect of this career. When I was just starting out, I wish I had had such a wonderful resource at my disposal. It is the most complete book on the museum field I have ever seen.
   
   Buy it! You won't regret it.