Customer Reviews

The Museum of Bad Art: Masterworks

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is not just the amazing art that begs to be studied, if not sometimes recoiled at, what is even better is Mr. Franks thoughtful and hilarious musings about each piece. I have had the book since it came out and every time I look at the pictures I crack up laughing and see something new.On page 64 the painting Mother Mary and Jesus is an amazing work of folk art, so much going on. But the one that gets me laughing every time is The Actor on pg 34, must be seen to be believed. So for a timeless look at some art that doesn't need stuffy manifestos or a mention from a simpery art critic, this book will be a true earthy delight. By the way I have seen lots of "good" art that is bad!

Some of the write-ups were written so well, it took several days for me to stop giggling. This book is WELL worth the money!

Love MOBA. Love the book. Love the way they talk about Bad Art. Love the Museum in the lobby of a men's restroom in the basement of a movie theatre. Love all of it.

As an art history major, I have a special love-hate relationship with kitsch, which is why the first MOBA book is one of my all-time favorites. This second one is also a great book for any art library, with some real high points. However, it doesn't quite measure up to the original volume, which is why I gave it four stars instead of five. It may be that the presentation suffers a bit from the smaller trim size (it's quite small, if you didn't pick that up from the description). And it may be that the novelty factor was completely co-opted by the first book. But I also think that some of the selections aren't quite as unabashedly ghastly as the ones in the first book. I have indeed enjoyed perusing it and chortling on multiple occasions, but a little more selectivity and a lower bar, and I might have awarded it that coveted fifth star.

This collection of artwork aspiring to be mediocre is a gem! I loved it, and truly enjoyed the commentary which was added to each item. Let's face it, the comments are what really made the book. The artwork, whether found in a garbage can, bought at a flea market or anonymously donated, truly is awful. Not even modern art awful. Just awful.

This is such a wonderful idea. I made it a point to visit the Dedham, MA museum several years ago when I visited Boston. Take a back seat you stuffy art snobs! These folks put it all into perspective. I've even sent the Museum some bad art I've found around here! (I think it ended up at the prestigious auction.) The folks who give up their free? time to do this are very clever and free-spirited. Every town should have one!
Get the book!

This is my kind of art book, filled with truly awful paintings, all with an explanatory text in the finest critical doubletalk. I laughed out loud several times reading this, and that makes it invaluable in these grim days. Why doesn't Frank Gehry build a museum for these guys?

Got this book as a present for the mother-in-law and younger sister. They both loved this book and laughed hysterically at the images and captions inside.

A wonderful complement to the real museum. If you haven't gotten to the community theater in Dedham, MA, see a good movie, go to the bathroom, and discover MOBA! The book has the same sense of the absurd as the museum and makes a great present.

What a fun ride it is through these selections from the Museum of Bad Art,.....yes, it really exists and I'm saving up my money to go there! As an art teacher and artist myself, I can appreciate these "bad" works that have been rescued from rather deserving destruction by kind souls seeking to find equality even for works that just don't,........work that is. And it's not just anything that qualifies for this collection,....there are rather strict criteria that each work must meet before becoming part of the collection. This is such a fun little book that everyone who likes art at all should have a copy. It makes fantastic toilet reading and sure beats those everyday magazines that find their way into the powder rooms of America.