Customer Reviews

Interviews with American Artists

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

 

 

This book is a treasure: a collection of previously unpublished interviews with luminaries of postwar American art, conducted by a sensitive master of the form. David Sylvester interviewed only artists he knew; his familiarity with their work, and his profound understanding of their aesthetic dilemmas, is evident throughout.

Most of the interviews in the volume were conducted between 1960 and 1967, and subsequently broadcast over the BBC. The usual "New York School" suspects are present and accounted for: de Kooning, Kline, Newman, Gottlieb, Johns, Rauschenberg, Motherwell, Frankenthaler, David Smith, et alia ... More recent interviewees include Cy Twombly, Jeff Koons, Carl Andre, and Richard Serra. Conducted over a three-year period, the interviews with Serra concerning his Torqued Ellipses are especially worthwhile. Additional biographical notes by Jonathan Shirland round out the book.

The interviews are characteristically intelligent, focused, and perceptive. One would expect nothing less from David Sylvester, whose probing interviews with Francis Bacon remain a key touchpoint for those interested in that modern artist's process. His slim book on Giacometti is nothing short of brilliant. The lengthier interviews contained herein further demonstrate the breadth of Sylvester's understanding -- and deepen our sense of loss at his recent passing.

Fantastic interviews, Sylvester playing the role of critic as professional fan, asking well-informed questions and letting the artists speak for themselves. Ab/Ex, Pop, Minimal, 80's, all these artists seem remarkably similar when discussing their creative processes rather than the specific nature of their work. I learned new respect for artists whose work I still don't love. I had my high opinions of others re-confirmed, or sometimes realized their art speaks better than they do. These interviews were conducted over many years so they are usually current with the particular artist's high-water mark. They do a great service by removing critical theory and jargon from the conversation, letting artists talk about what motivates their decisions and actions.

Having painters talk about their art is a difficult exercise. Some artists are notoriously reluctant, not because they have nothing to say, but because they think that once the work is out there it is up to the viewer to receive it with an open mind. David Sylvester manages to overcome this obstacle and makes us understand how each artist works, what he means or thinks when his brush meets the canvas or when his hands meet the metal. This is an irreplaceable book for anyone interested in modern American art.