Customer Reviews

Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life: Expanded Edition

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

 

 

This book is a must have for any undergraduate or graduate art student or for anyone who is interested in gaining a better understanding of contemporary art practices.

Kaprow is a very smart, thoughtful and thought-provoking writer; however, to access him clearly, you, as an artist, will probably need at least some experience in the realm of performance art. I was already creating "Happenings" and trying to blur art and life, and didn't even realize it, so when I read Kaprow, it was like having a conversation with the art gods. Even if you don't get much advice or dialogue from Kaprow, the art historical value of these essays is worth the read alone.

As I started this book, I was really excited to read it. I thought it was going to apply really well to my art making. It didn't turn out to do that. But it definitely made me think of the everyday things I do that I maybe don't pay attention to. I feel like a lot of the essays talk about how much we don't realize and how art could be different if we did. Blurring art and life may seem easy, but as I've put it into practice it really hasn't been all that simple. Now I'm trying to take the time to watch and document life as it passes me by. All in all, I thought it was a great book. It had to be if it affected me like this.

Had to get this book for a college course. This book is SO convoluted. You read the same page over and over and over again and have no idea what you've just read 10 ten tiimes. The whole book is like this. I don't even bother reading it. It's a waste of time because I have NO idea, AT ALL, what this guy is trying to say. It's a bunch of ramblings. I hate this book. I would have given it ZERO stars if I could have. Can't wait to sell it at the college bookstore and get rid of it.

I thought some of the essays in this book were inspiring. Especially the topics dealing with 'work vs. fun'. It made me start consciously thinking about the balance and if it can be achieved. The essay in the beginning about Jackson Pollack is kind of random so I recommend skipping it if you really want to enjoy the book and then maybe go back to it later if you want. Anyways Allan Kaprow is really cool and it's the act of spontaneity and unforeseen outcomes that make him amazing! He is one of those people that builds roads and has helped refine the philosophy behind the process of making art.