Christian Boltanski (Contemporary Artists (Phaidon)) [Paperback]

Christian Boltanski (Author)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary Artists (Phaidon) | Publication Date: September 26, 1997

Christian Boltanski came to prominence in the 1980s with major exhibitions at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris in 1984 and the Whitechapel Gallery, London in 1990. This text explores his art, arguing that it hovers between the trauma of the extermination camp depot and the redemption of a memorial shrine. Boltanski can be described as an alchemist, philosopher, potential suicide, clown or Rasputin. His work has ranged from the creation of an "ironic museum of the self" to sensitive portrayals of ordinary people. His installations are made up of collections of everyday objects such as clothing or shoes; and photographs - such as passport photographs, school portraits and family albums. They memorialize ordinary people - the unknown children killed in the Holocaust, the people of a Swiss canton, or the employees of a Halifax carpet factory. Recently he worked on a production of Schubert's Winter Reisse at the Lyric Theatre, London, and will continue to work on theatrical and operatic productions. The book is part of a series of studies of important artists of the late-20th century. Each title offers a comprehensive survey of the artist's work, providing analyses and multiple perspectives on contemporary art and its inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Lynn Gumpert is an art historian, critic, and independent curator based in New York and Paris. She contributes frequently to art periodicals and is the author of numerous exhibition catalogues of contemporary art.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (September 26, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714836583
• ISBN-13: 978-0714836584
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #897,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifuly haunting book, for a beautifuly haunting artist, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Christian Boltanski (Hardcover)

I have extensively researched Christian Boltanski and would highly recommend this wonderful book. It reads like an exhibition. Five stars *****

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly written book on a fascinating artist, April 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Christian Boltanski (Hardcover)

This is one of the best monographs I've read. Often I get books an an aritst I like, and can't get through the awful text, I end up just looking at the pictures. The text in this book adds so much to my understanding of the work, by detailing the progression of his ideas through the years, and clearly describing the installations. The writing is very clear, I found myself reading it as if it were a novel.

4.0 out of 5 stars This book will explain what you don't know about Boltanski, September 5, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christian Boltanski (Contemporary Artists (Phaidon)) (Paperback)

I saw his exhibit in Paris a few years ago and I was intrigued about this artist.This book will give more explanation on his work and why he does it. Some of the writing can be too academic and hard to understand. There's an interview with Boltanski which I loved. He's very opinionated and an interesting artist. There's not much info on him on the internet so I'm really glad that was made.