My Reality: Contemporary Art And The Culture Of Japanese Animation [Paperback]

Jeff Fleming (Author), Takashi Murakami (Author), Judith Richards (Editor), Matthew Benedict (Author), Lee Bul (Author), Taro Chiezo (Author), James Esber (Author), Inka Essenhigh (Author), Masakatu Inamoto (Author), Mika Kato (Author), Micha Klein (Author), Miltos Manetas (Author), Richard Patterson (Author), Momoyo Torimitsu (Author), Charlie White (Author), Kenji Yanobe (Author), Paul McCarthy (Author), Yoshitomo Nara (Author), Tom Sachs (Author), Tracey Moffatt (Author), Mariko Mori (Author), Susan Lubowsky Talbott (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2001

Japanese animation, or anime, which has attained cult status among young people globally during the past several decades, is increasingly breaking into the mainstream. My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese Animation, investigates the influence of this form of pop culture on today's art in Japan, other Asian countries, and the West.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Fleming is Senior Curator for the Des Moines Art Center. His prior publications include "Maya Lin: Topologies, Joshua Neustein: Light on the Ashes, Fred Wilson: Memories", and others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Independent Curators International, New York (August 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879003333
• ISBN-13: 978-1879003330
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #719,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3/5, March 31, 2002

By 

Peter A. Carbonaro "Yes, THAT Peter Carbonaro." (Oceanside, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Reality: Contemporary Art And The Culture Of Japanese Animation (Paperback)

The synergy between Japanese anime and American pop culture is explored in this book, a companion piece to the traveling exhibition currently in installation at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. My Reality examines the role of anime on modern art; in particular, there's a technology-friendly bent to anime, which the book asserts has been assimilated in the technique of "serious" artists in both hemispheres. The book, much like the exhibition, touches upon the common anime themes of high technology, aliens, cyborgs and so on, but through a series of essays, draws a link between these and real-life themes such as gender roles and popular and consumer culture. Showcasing artwork from emerging artists like Takashi Murakami, Mariko Mori, and Paul McCarthy, this book is an interesting, although way too brief, commentary on art and culture in the face of technology and the future, as well as providing additional depth to the context of this intriguing exhibition.

9 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, December 11, 2001

By 

Teddy "ted88" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Reality: Contemporary Art And The Culture Of Japanese Animation (Paperback)

This is a this book of three essays with some just sort of interesting photos and illustrations. I was expecting lots of great Anime and collectable art that is inspired by Manga and Anime, but this is a companion to a traveling exhibit of art inspired by Anime and Manga. The art is just ok, nothing really interesting, and the essays are dull as if written for a thesis. There are way too many footnotes, and phrases like "ontological insecurity". I just don't see this type of art as high-brow art. Skip this book.