Customer Reviews

EdgyCute: From Neo-Pop to Low Brow and Back Again

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EDGYCUTE is a term used by Harry Saylor to describe the odd conglomeration of images contained in this unique collection. By definition, it means 'cuteness on the edge of insanity' and refers to the at collected by Saylor form 1989 to the present - that once collected became roommates fleshing out Saylor's gallery of art. This book, under the first class design influence of Mark Batty Publisher, contains the works of a number of artists whose core is a variation of Pop Art pushed to the extremes of Disney and anime. As in Kathie Olivas' fine introduction she states 'Disney Poison, Anime Erotica and an affection for cult and the bizarre are just part of what enables the EdgyCute phenomenon. A growing subculture within the lowbrow/Pop Surrealism art movement of today, there isn't quite enough arm's-length distance to really justify or interpret the movement as a whole just yet. It continues to evolve and re-examine itself by each contributing artist in what should still be considered an introduction.'

What follows is the work of 48 artists of this movement (some with names as strange as their art!) divided into the following categories: Disney Poison, Poison Control, Evil Seduction, Mid-Century Nostalgia, Bizarre Grotesque, Heroes, and Surreal. They are is basically figurative, like a civilization of large headed dolls, aliens, and puns on the advertising schemes that flood our brains. Is it great art? Who knows how history with judge it. There are some famous practicing fine artists who use these ideas and images, especially from the vast amount of imagery rolling in from Asian countries obsessed with anime.

But give this large book a chance to get under your skin - and it will. This art is meant to do that: it i a wake up call to roust us out of the usual and accepted schools of classical, abstract, modern, neo-this and neo-that, etc. This is a dodgy ride through the imagination of a whole other group of creative artists, and these artists deserve at least our momentary attention this book provides! Grady Harp, June 10

The author takes on just about every contemporary artist in the Neo-Pop Low Brow genre today. With informative biographies and a great introduction by Monte Beauchamp, the publisher of Blab!, this is a must have for every art and toy lover out there.