Cream 3 [Hardcover]

Editors of Phaidon Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Now in its third edition, "Cream 3" offers an authoritative view on the contemporary art world for today and tomorrow. Ten international curators, renowned experts in contemporary art, have each chosen ten artists whom they feel best exemplify what is happening in the contemporary art world today, and also those who will be the stars of the future. The 100 artists in "Cream 3" have risen to an international platform since 1997 or, in the opinion of the curators who have selected them, are about to do so. Each artist's work is represented in two double-page spreads, accompanied by a short biography and bibliography and a text by the curator who selected them. The variety of ideas and forms in contemporary art are presented in each artist's work alongside a brief text from the curator. This virtual exhibition of new art is preceded by a virtual conversation - an Internet discussion among the 10 curators - each a noted name involved in the staging of new developments in art. New to this edition of "Cream" is each curator's selection of a "Source" artist whom they feel has influenced or created the context for the new generation. These 10 "Source" artists provide a wider historical framework in which to view the new work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn Christov Bakargiev is a curator and writer based in Turin and New York, Senior Curator at the Museo di Rivoli, Turn. Charles Esche is Director of the Rooseum Center for Contemporary Art, Malmo (Sweden). Yuko Hasegawa is Chief Curator at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan, former curator of the Istanbul Biennale. Udo Kittelmann is Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Frankfurt. Adriano Pedrosa is a curator and writer based in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, former co-curator of the Sao Paulo Biennale. Beatrix Ruf is Director of the Kunsthalle Zurich. Nancy Spector is a writer and Curator of Contemporary Art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. Hamza Walker is an art ciritic and Director of Education for The Renaissance Society at The University of Chicago. Igor Zabel is Senior Curator at the Moderna galerija (Museum of Modern Art), Ljubljana, currently preparing a section of the 2003 Venice Biennale.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; First Edition edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714843113
• ISBN-13: 978-0714843117
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 10.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and innovative book, November 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Cream 3 (Hardcover)

"Cream 3" is an exciting and innovative book in design and concept, and a great introduction to cutting edge art.

However I think the work within is not quite as interesting as that in "Cream 2" (or the similar survey, "Art Now"). The work somehow seems less intelligent original and compelling as the previous volume (though it is much better designed as a book.)

In light of the plethora of video work, I believe that such books should be accompanied by a CD or DVD with sample clips of the video art, as did the last Whitney Biennial catalogue (albeit with a CD for audio art). Unlike flat art or sculpture, visualizing moving images with stills is a bit like trying to comprehend the 5th dimension in our 3 dimensional world.

It is quite amazing how the former hegemony of New York has been replaced by a globalize art world (perhaps part due to public spending outside the US). The editors of the Cream series have taken pains to accelerate this trend of globalization to a significant advantage.

Nevertheless, I have one caveat on this subject. I know that the curators cannot represent every country in the world, but they have not mentioned one artist in Australia and New Zealand - both (interrelated) counties that are now producing quite outstanding and innovative art that often goes unnoticed in the Northern hemisphere.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, August 1, 2004

By 

clifford "akitonmyers" (Portland, OR, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cream 3 (Hardcover)

This third volume of the Cream series disappointed me. I say this mainly because this book gets bogged down in either conceptual ideas that are less than grandiose or curatorial/theoretical high-mindedness that trumpets the intelligence and sensitivity of those compiling the list. Instead of looking at emerging artists either from the markets point of view or as those new artists inspiring other artists, this book becomes about as flat and appealing as rusty water.
Its one saving grace is that it is bringing dozens of artist's attention for the first time in a major publication. And even if these artists' work for the most part is less than overwhelming, it is interesting to explore their work. Maybe not enough time passed between the first, second, and third Creams to allow for the quality found in the first two. But I suspect it was primarily those that did the compiling this time around that are to blame for the damaging of an otherwise fine series.

Try Vitamin P or the earlier Creams if you are interested in a contemporary art survey.

4.0 out of 5 stars almost fresh cream..., July 11, 2006

By 

Paula Viturro (Buenos Aires, ARG) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cream 3 (Hardcover)

The design of the book although is pretty good, its not sophisticated as fresh cream, seems like too big and heavy, just as the book design lacks a clear concept. The page layout of cream 3 isn't very delicated too... but in general its a great book, the compilation of artist is really wonderful...