Agnes Martin: Writings [Paperback]

Agnes Martin (Author), Dieter Schwarz (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2005

Agnes Martin's abstract works adhere to no catalogue of rules but appear instead as contemplative, intuitive signs. Her "floating abstractions," in which lines and free bands of color emerge almost imperceptibly, can be reproduced only with difficulty. Her writings, on the other hand--although certainly not intended as programmatic statements--offer valuable clarity regarding her own works and poetic insight about art in general. Since its original publication in 1991, this volume of Martin's writings has been a fundamental document for libraries of artists, collectors, and critics. Rather than identifying herself with her Minimalist peers, Martin has aligned herself with the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, asserting that "the function of art work is . . . the renewal of memories of moments of perfection." In combination with illustrations of her works, these texts--including lectures, stories recorded by critic Ann Wilson, passages ostensibly arranged in associative sequences, and "fragmentary ideas"--form an eloquent artist's statement by the creator of "silent paintings."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Agnes Martin was born in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1912, and she moved to the United States in 1931. Her first solo exhibition was held in 1958 at the Betty Parsons Gallery, New York. In 1967 she moved to New Mexico and abandoned painting for seven years. The early 1990s saw her work exhibited in solo shows at the Stedelijk Museum, and at the Whitney, New York, and later in the Menil Collection, Houston, in 2002. Martin died in 2004.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hatje Cantz Publishers; Bilingual edition (July 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3775716114
• ISBN-13: 978-3775716116
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful voice behind the paintings, July 5, 2003

By A Customer

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This review is from: Agnes Martin Writings (Paperback)

How many great painters have been eloquent on their work or methods, or, for that matter, on art or culture in general? In recent times, only Ad Reinhardt compares with Agnes Martin, who has that rarest of gifts among the non-literary, a voice. In a series of articles, some of which were apparently talks given to art students, she delves into consciousness, creativity, judgment, personal development, self-assurance, transcendence, meaning, value. She takes on the big subjects with language that is gloriously unpretentious in a style epigrammatic and occasionally poetic.

Visiting an exhibition of her pencil-grid paintings a few years ago, I experienced the transformative power of her paradoxically simple physical means to create shimmering, magical spaces. The staying power of that work has inclined me to believe that she's one of the greatest painters of the second half of the twentieth century. This book of her writings is a delightful enhancement to that discovery.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet and Quite..., May 16, 2003

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crumbcake (Rhinebeck, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agnes Martin: Writings / Schriften (English and German Edition) (Paperback)

...lovely and profound.

Martin's work here and on the canvas is deceptively simple. Not really about silence but about the possibility of grace and knowledge within.

This book recommended for all artists and lovers of art, life, and silence.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of a kind, February 8, 2007

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Appolonia Saliné "appolonisa" (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agnes Martin: Writings (Paperback)

This book is a must have for every artist, any discipline and a gem for anyone. Agnes nails it and by her testimonial acknowledges difficult feelings and the impossible path of making art as well as it's unique role and brilliant emotion.