3 comments about Soviet Posters: The Sergo Grigorian Collection.

1. This book is an excellent collection of Soviet posters. The entire book is full page images of posters with English translations. The range is early 20th century to '85 or so. Small snippets of background accompany certain ones that have special significance. WELL worth the investment.



2. I was intrigued to read in the intro of this excellent book that the posters shown were printed in quantities of between five thousand and a hundred thousand and mostly had a rather short lifespan so we must be grateful to Sergo Grigorian for having the foresight and enthusiasm to create his collection.
   
   I thought the early posters, from the 1918 onwards, are the most fascinating. There are several in the best Constructivist tradition, page fifty-four has a stunning typographic one designed by Sorbonski or page seventy-two with a movie poster showing a painting of two revolutionary peasants using a machine gun integrated into display headlines and text. However as you look through the pages the graphic style, especially after 1945, slowly morphs into safe predictable State style with plenty of happy children and contemporary versions of Stakhanovites leading the workers into the dazzling future.
   
   The last book section with posters from 1965 to 2001 do show however a rather wide graphic style with strong abstracts, even a bit of pop art, photo montage and on page 223 a very western European style poster for a Russian shotgun (in English for Raznoexport). The last poster in the book by Vladimir and Georgy Sternberg, from 2001, celebrates past Soviet culture with ten mini posters of famous movies.
   
   Overall I thought an excellent selection of posters presented in a well produced book (and good value for the price) but there were a couple of annoying editorial flaws. The page numbers are turned sideways and they assume a bit more importance than the average publication because the details about each poster are at the back of the book and it is rather frustrating to have to keeping turning backwards and forwards. Made perhaps more annoying because there is plenty of space on each page for the captions.
   
   I understand that Prestel will have a similar book of North Korean posters out later this year.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



3. With the majority of peasants illiterate when the Communists seized power in the Russian Revolution in the early 1900s, the communications system including the press primitive, posters soon took a prominent place in spreading the ideas and ideals of Communism and focusing the far-flung, heterogeneous population on central institutions such as the army. The poster never lost its prominent position in the Soviet Union. While the subject matter of the many posters was limited by government authorities to accepted propaganda themes and perspectives, considerable latitude and even considerable innovation were allowed and even encouraged. Suprematicism championed by the modernist Kasimir Malevich "created a new artistic alphabet, based on the languages of color and energy. Vladimir Mayakovsky and Alexander Rodchenko were two Russian artists who pored their skills and visions into poster art in lieu of other hospitable mediums in the totalitarian state. El Lisitzky introduced the style 'constructivism" in the 1920, followed by photomontage done by Gustav Klutsis and others in the early 1930s. Lafont, who was born in Moscow and is the author of "Pillaging Cambodia - Illicit Traffic in Khmer Art," cites such influential Soviet artists, whose influence spread outside of Russia, and follows the changing course of the Soviet poster according to changing artistic ideas, historical circumstances, and emphasis on certain propaganda in the Introduction.
   
   In groupings of a few years to as much as a decade or more roughly defining historical periods of the Soviet Union, two hundred and fifty posters are pictured in full-page size with details of some shown on facing pages. Translations of their exhortations and in some cases longer message or text are found in the notes following the extensive gallery. But for 14, all are from the collection of Grigorian, a Russian lawyer who is working to establish a museum for Soviet posters. This collection of his plus ranging widely over styles, subjects, and periods of the statist posters of the former Soviet Union makes an outstanding retrospective.

2 comments about Chintz: Indian Textiles for the West.

1. This catalogue of the Indian painted and resist-dyed cotton textiles from the V&A collection is a great source of basic factual information about these wonderful fabrics made for export to Europe and South-East Asia. Moreover, it is accompanied by a wealth of beautiful images containing wonderful overall views of fabrics as well as detailed images of individual pieces. For easy reference, all images have short captions whose more detailed versions are represented by the catalogue entries preceding the illustrated section of the catalogue.



2. Could have been a glorious book but let down by the colour reproductions.I have seen many of these fabrics and quilts and the book does not do them justice.

1 comments about Francis Bacon: Anthology.

1. This book is the catalogue for a recent Bacon exhibition held at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, Italy.
   
   It is divided into four initial essays, the first studying the force and energy that exhude from Bacon's paintings (the violent presence of the flesh, the obsession with life, "the drama of the existencial experience"), the second dwelling on Bacon's creative process, the sources and references he used (contrary to what was formerly believed and to what the artist wanted us to believe, he left little space to chance in his works), the third focusing on his small portraits as embodiements of Bacon's ideas of what art should be (key words here are "energy" and "force")and the fourth attempting an explanation of what these paintings, through their violence and crudeness, represent (what kind of reality, beyond the mere dissolving image of the human body). This last chapter is buttressed by many quotations from Bacon's famous interviews with David Sylvester where he stresses the crude truth that, above all, the human body is "meat, a river of flesh").
   
   Then comes the main asset of this book: the reproductions of the works. I own more than a dozen books on Bacon and, in my opinion, this one is the best as far as the quality of reproductions is concerned. They are simply outstanding and cannot be more faithful to the originals. All in full color (which is crucial when you are dealing with Bacon, who was one of the greatest colorists in XXth century art)they are also numerous.
   
   The last part of the book is especially interesting in that it focuses on Bacon's studio (faithfully reconstituted at Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane in Ireland) and everything that was found in it after his death. Photos of the studio and reproductions of sketches, torn photographs, well-thumbed books and odds and ends that used to strew the studio floor are especially revealing of the importance of what the artist called "the chaos" in his creative process.
   
   A high-quality book which I strongly recommend.

No comments about Hearst the Collector.

5 comments about Beautiful Losers.

1. ok- this book is pretty brilliant... despite the fact that the artwork included is a catalogue of some of the most important, interesting and (previously- time will tell??) underground /fringe dwelling artists and contemporary contributors in the last 25 or so years and that in itself is reason enough to love this book, you would be CRAZY not to read the essays... they are insane- so brilliant and you are not even touching the surface of this book unless you read them..
   if you have any interest in graf/ skating/ contempory artists / beautiful things / whats going down then youll love beautiful losers and regret very badly that you didnt get to see the exhibition...like i am now.



2. If you like street and pop art... I kindly raccomend this book to you!
   
   Peace and 420!



3. I ordered this book from Amazon as a graduation gift and it says that it will ship in 1-4 weeks. BEWARE! I placed my order in mid-May and received a third delay notice today saying that it will not ship until mid-August. BOLLOCKS!! I finally canceled my order, as my "happy graduation" note is no longer applicable and my guy will likely be in school for the fall semester by the time the book actually arrives.



4. Beautiful Losers exhibition is a document of an epoch centered on the twenty year history of street art and culture from the walls of urban landscapes across America to the walls of the dopest west and east coast galleries. Really great essays. Read the one by McCormick, its especially good. Well printed and designed. Everything in this book is imperative to know about if you are an artist, especially young artists in their formative years.



5. Its definately worth $25.17, or whatever price theyve stuck on it by now. Its includes pictures of, and interesting stories about a few of the Beautiful Losers aswell as full pages of artwork (in color). Its no picture book either, in addition to the stories, its got the histories of various subcultures that influenced the artists (skateboarding, graffiti, etc.) So it'll keep you busy for a minute.

5 comments about The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

1. Terrific book that is a keeper. If you can't get to see a portion of these works of art exhibited, at least you can enjoy what is being created out there by this wonderfully photographed and informative book. An added bonus was that it arrived sealed in plastic in mint condition!



2. This book is a wonderful review of the art of books as contemporary sculpture. As a fiber artist-bookmaker-handmade paper maker, I bought a copy for my own library, then gave another copy as a gift to a fellow artist who was interested in using books and book images in art. Inspirational as well as informative. I look forward to seeing the actual exhibition.



3. This is one of those products which is true to its theme from the moment you unwrap it.Being a book about the beauty and creativity of books it has itself to be worthy, which it certainly is. It is a pleasure to hold and to explore, as the design and concept have been carefuly considered.
   The examples chosen are rich and varied and are divided thematically.The problem is that so many of the books are enormously intriguing that one wants to handle them to discover their mysteries. However the descriptions are usually very good and do allow one to at least understand the concept of the creator.If you love books as art, this is a truly wonderful possession.



4. Turning the book making into an art can make a book more attractive and collectible. This book demonstrates a lot of outstanding examples. Readers are completely satisfied by the books in this book.



5. One of the best! This book should be on your bookshelf if you are interested in the books as an art form. I would suggest it for any school or college media center. I would not include it on a list for coffee table books but if you have a serious home library which leans toward the book arts,artist journals and sketchbooks; by all means, put this out on the reading table.
   The next best thing:Visiting the Museum in person!

5 comments about Andy Warhol 365 Takes: The Andy Warhol Museum Collection.

1. The package came faster then I thought especially right before christmas. Also it came sealed which was great.



2. My girlfiend really loves the book. It seems to be an interesting book of writings, facts, and art.



3. Huge book - don't let appearance on the internet fool you, it's a brick (about 3inches thick!) and packed full of information; Andy's life, his work, his love his passion it's amazing.
   
   The book takes you on a journey through early years to his death and how his art transformed throughout his career. It shows Andy's sketches and un-released art and art from his private collection.
   
   Fascinating and a brilliant coffee table book.
   
   Stunning 5 stars



4. This is a thoughtful book which does not leave much out until you get to the index on pages 740-742. The pages are long horizontally, usually presenting text and a large number running from 1 on the page after page 5 to 365 on the page two pages before page 736. The index lists the big numbers only, the "Take" number. Are punching bags in the index? No. Is Jean-Michel Basquiat in the index? Yes, for six Takes under "Basquiat, Jean-Michel" and for three of the same Takes under "Jean-Michel Basquiat" (portraits, only one of which includes "and urine on canvas"). Is The Last Supper in the index? Yes, for three Takes. Do any of the Takes listed for Jean-Michel Basquiat coincide with Takes listed for The Last Supper? No, neither three or six, none! Which Take has ten punching bags? Take 255!!! How many times is Take 255 in the index? Just once, for "Ten Punching Bags (Last Supper)." Obviously, to use the index you need to know precisely what you are looking for.
   
   In my previous review of a DVD on Andy Warhol as a great artist of the 20th century, I believe I understated how many times the word "JUDGE" appears on the ten punching bags. In the view shown in the photo in Take 255, I can count 5 times on the first, 6 times on the second, then 3, 5, 4, 4, 1, 1, 3, and 4 times, respectively, on the third to the tenth bag. Most of the bags look black and white, but the eighth bag has a blue crown or dark halo which might obscure a second "JUDGE" or "JESUS," a blue shape like a torso with head, the words "LEAD" and "ASBESTOS" and possibly BS, with a copyright insignia after the "JUDGE" at the bottom of the eighth punching bag. The bags are hanging so close together that a physics student is bound to wonder how many bags would start swinging if viewers had the opportunity to give a bag on one end a good punch into the rest of the line. The head of Christ appears to be largest on the first, fifth, and sixth punching bags, with the second and eighth having the smallest heads, to produce a standing wave effect even when the 14 inch diameter by 42 inch long bags are hanging stationary from chains to big beams in the ceiling. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh used to be a big warehouse, and Ten Punching Bags (Last Supper) might still be hanging there, because Entry 255 is not listed in the Photograph Credits, unless the bags are included in the bragging rights claimed by "Except where otherwise noted, ownership of all material is The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh." (p. 742). I hope they never catch me walking into that place with my practice gloves on.



5. Think of this as an Andy a day keeping the aggravation away. Compiled by the staff of the Andy Warhol Museum (located in Pittsburgh, PA, and this year celebrating its tenth anniversary), this is a monumental, if scattered, collection of everything Warhol, deliberately non-traditional and open-ended. Fashion sketches from the `50s, Polaroids, the Brillo boxes, stills from his movies and television appearances, silkscreens and pencil drawings, the Death and Disaster Series, the Three Marilyns, the collaborations with the Velvet Underground ... it's all here, and it's all interlaced with quotes from Warhol, and "experts" on Warhol. The experts, today, sound like bozos, but there is humor and humanity in all of Warhol's comments. 365 Takes is a big book, perhaps too big, since Warhol is best savored in smaller doses. Still, the book certainly whets one's appetite for more concentrated, linear works of this great artist. Warhol's take on the middle of the twentieth century is astoundingly accurate and informed. Certainly very much the artist as an outsider observing the current culture, his views are surprisingly kind and simple. Let's face it: We all love gossip, dirty pictures and celebrities. Maybe we couldn't admit it back then, but it was true. And, of course, we all love Campbell's Soup.

5 comments about Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.

1. Well this book is the next best thing to interviewing an experienced animator about what it takes to make it as an animator and the reality of success and failure, any aspiring animator must have this book and read it.



2. I got this book on the personal recommendation of the author and what can I say that hasn't already been said by other reviewers! David Levy has written an exemplary guide to the world of animation. Not only does he offer his own experiences, he also draws on veterans from all over the industry for their advice. The result is a very refined and concise guide to not only the industry, but also animating in general. Every sentence has been written with a purpose, so the book is best enjoyed over several days or weeks.
   
   There is no need for me to analyse this book further. If you have even a slight interest in animation either as a career or out of curiosity, go and buy a copy for yourself, you will not be disappointed.



3. I buy this book without having a clear idea of what to expect from it.
   After reading the first chapter I realize that this book was one of my best choices and help me a lot in my business life even when at that time I'm was not an animator.
   
   If you had the doubt about if get into this art-industry field fits on you. This book let you know if becoming an animation artist is your choice for life.
   
   Easy and fun to read, David share generously his experience and knowledge about industry, networking, career path and all those animation wise advices.
   
   You'll love this book, Is for me a kind of Animation Artist gospel in the animation Bible.



4. A fantastic book that gives you concrete areas on which to take action. Both practical and inspirational, this book will help you combat creative inertia. Just buy it...it's way more helpful than a few lattes or a movie ticket plus popcorn...



5. This is a definite keeper. The insights and insider tips, the personal stories and motivational powers of this little book are not to be underestimated. I'm about halfway through and just finished the chapter on "independent animation projects". It's like being reborn, knowing that others have gone through the dark tunnel and sweated their way through personal projects using every spare second they have.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone needing a motivational boost or info on how to succeed in the animation industry. It's insightful and personal, the latter point being where most of its educational value perspires; especially when giving interview tips, how to play it safe in the workplace, not burning bridges, personalities, choosing which battles to fight and which to lose..
   
   I haven't read anything about samurai jack yet... which im kind of hoping is in the book. still... half of the book to go, so who knows.
   
   thumbs up

3 comments about Art Office, Second Edition: 80+ business forms, charts, sample letters, legal documents & business plans (Art Office: 80+ Business Forms, Charts, Sample Letters, Legal).

1. It is precisely what is needed and so easy to use especially for artists venturing out into their own business. It's a great business resource for organizing, selling, marketing and simply learning how to get out there and get noticed as a serious artist! Looking professional is the first step and this book focuses on that.



2. This is a must have for any artist wishing to sell their art on their own, and for any start-up art gallery.



3. Constance Smith has been assisting fine artists in their business efforts for more than 25 years. In the space of some two and a half decades, her professional networking in behalf of her clients has familiarized her with virtually all facets of the business aspects of the art world. Now Constance Smith has collaborated with art marketing consultant Sue Viders (who herself has more than 38 years of experience in the field) to publish "Art Office", a comprehensive, 'user friendly', and confidently recommended guide to running a business in the fine arts. Now in its fully updated and expanded second edition, "Art Office" offers a compilation of more than 80 easy to use and invaluable forms and lists that range from a twelve-month planning calendar; sales agreements; customer-client records; marketing plans; and monthly project status; to checklists for a juried show; the press release; pricing worksheet; bill of sale; model releases; competition record; target market chart; and more. From daily office forms, bookkeeping forms, and legal agreements; to inventory forms, customer forms, marketing plans, sample letters; and sales documents, "Art Office" will readily and quickly enable any artist, gallery owner, or art representative to launch an organized, legally compliant, and profitable business in the fine arts.

5 comments about Art Making, Collections, and Obsessions: An Intimate Exploration of the Mixed-Media Work and Collections of 35 Artists.

1. This is beautifully done and inspirational - the artists featured are wonderful and the information is interesting - I recommend this book for those who love objects and the world of mixed media design. Kartika



2. I found this book to be an emotional book. Although this isn't the type of art I enjoy, I am drawn to look thru it from time to time and usually am stimulated to get going on a project or get something brewing in my brain. You will either love or hate this book. I guess I love it because of what it produces...go figure.



3. Great pictures, just the kind of eclectic stuff I love. The written part seems entirely superfluous--actually, I read every word and all were apt, it's just that I bought the book for the visuals and that's what I remember and go back to and wish there were even many many more of.



4. I have always loved the work of Lynne Perrella, but she has outshone even herself by compiling this book of artists from the same ilk as herself.
   Being a compulsive collecter and an artist myself, this book was irrestible and to see what other artists collect is both engaging and delicious at the same time!
   Congratulations to Lynne Perrella for this wonderful book. I have already researched several of the artists listed and to see their websites unfold is truly a delight...thanks!



5. I recently stated that I shouldn't buy any book without "Look Inside." I did and everyting is beautiful. The description is not deceptive but if you are looking for directions for projects, which I thought would be included but I didn't read closely, you will be disappointed. Perhaps I shouldn't rate the book so low because it is beautiful but I just didn't want another book by all of the greats reflecting. If you love to read reflections you should scoop up this book.