Customer Reviews

Collage: The Making of Modern Art

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Surrealism, Picasso, Dada, artists response to Nazi expansionism in Europe...well, sure these subjects will involve "a lot of words" to understand!! Geez, collage began way before your local craft store had
several isles of pre-made stuff to "create" one. It is, after all, a
response of artists to the world...and the results are seldom cute or
enjoyable. Sorry, I feel nasty when a book as great as this gets dissed.

If you want, go to the craft store and buy one of the churned-out dull
books which will tell you step by step how to glue buttons and old photos
to something else they will sell you. If you want to understand how and
why artists began tearing things off of walls and using them in art then
read this book. You may be surprised at how moving real art/collage can be.

Well illustrated, this book follows the historical development of collage in terms of the various art movements of the early part of the 1900's, up through collage in the '60s, and today.

Authorative, thorough, only occasionally does the author fall into ridiculous art-critic-speak. [Please, art critics and academics, never use the word "problematize" ever, ever again. It's a stupid wretched word].

If you want to understand the social and art-philosophical thought that created and sustained collage, read this book. Besides, if you're going to practice an art, you should know its history.

I have to agree with Nagagirl, this is really one of the best compendiums on the history of collage and the culture that surrounded it. I constantly reference it in my discussions to my students. Not only hits on the well-known works, but also gives in-depth discussions of lesser known works and movements within the U.S., Britain, and beyond. A must for anyone interested in this amazing medium and the history connected to it!

This title serves as a decent basic text. Be forewarned that the author takes a somewhat narrow view of what qualifies as a "collage". Collage is by no means a dead method of making art, but has morphed and expanded beyond its original definition of "cut paper".

I felt this book really didn't live up to the promise of its cover. I expected much more modern, adventurous work. Also way too many words, too many black and white pics and not enough full-colour art for my liking.