How Art Made the World (Paperback)

~ Nigel Spivey (Author)
Key Phrases: bower bird, visual storytelling, Arnhem Land, Trajan's Column, Easter Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This work, a companion to a PBS miniseries of the same name, explores art as a phenomenon unique to human existence that has evolved in method and purpose, mirroring the scientific, social and cultural advancements in civilizations. As such, Spivey (Enduring Creation: Art, Pain, and Fortitude; Songs on Bronze) draws on a wide range of material: Paleolithic cave paintings, contemporary visions of propaganda and social control, ancient Egyptian and classic Greek sculptures, and images of the divine created in medieval Europe and Buddhist Asia-explaining all these and more in confident, lively prose that brings to life even the least accessible cave scribbles. The book is organized thematically, bringing together disparate works to serve a purpose larger than mere comparison: in his treatment of narrative and storytelling, Spivey considers 20th-century cinema, Australian aboriginal rock painting, Mesopotamian and Greek epic poetry, and Roman narrative sculpture. His approach is mostly successful, but the inclusion of such a wide array of material gives short shrift to individual schools and eras. However, Spivey's care in selecting the issues driving the project allow the book to rise above these limitations and present a thoughtful analysis of the relationship between the evolution of art and human culture. Although its lack of depth on any given subject will make it unsatisfying for professional art historians or anthropologists, the book will appeal to general readers looking for a sprightly introduction to art history.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

By the charismatic host of the PBS miniseries "How Art Made the World," a compelling and gorgeously illustrated account of how humans made art and how art makes us human.

In the late nineteenth century, the first discoveries of prehistoric painting were greeted with incredulity. How could there have been such deft and skillful artists in the world over 30,000 years ago? Noted art historian Nigel Spivey begins with this puzzle to explore the record of humanity's artistic endeavors and their impact on our own development.

Embarking with the motto, "Everyone is an artist," Spivey takes us on a quest to find out when and how we humans began to explore the deepest questions of life, using visual artforms. With the help of vivid color illustrations of some of the world's most moving and enduring works of art, Spivey shows how that art has been used as a means of mass persuasion, essential to the creation of hierarchical societies, and finally, the extent to which art has served as a mode of terror management in the face of our inevitable death. Packed with new insights into ancient wonders and fascinating stories from all around the globe, How Art Made the World is a compelling account of how humans made art and how art makes us human.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Printing edition (November 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465081827
• ISBN-13: 978-0465081820
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #416,063 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming and Fascinating Evocation of Primitive Art and Humanity, December 13, 2005

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: How Art Made the World: A Journey to the Origins of Human Creativity (Hardcover)

Nigel Spivey writes with eloquence and gentle humor and a rich understanding of his chosen topic - how art has informed life has informed art since the beginnings of history. This is one of those books that will appeal to all audiences, whether they be primarily interested in history, archeology, art, human studies, or mystery. It is all here in one splendid volume.

Based on a British television series by the same title, Spivey wanders through the most primitive art known from cave drawings, to ornaments, to early 'sculpture' or god figures, into the Renaissance. With very generous pictorial examples he clearly demonstrates how from the very inception of 'art', as we know it, mankind has tackled with the Big Questions - creation, life, death, and gods to God. He shows panoramas of cave drawings which address 'us vs. them', hunting, procreation, fertility, and symbols to ward off evil, be those mythical beasties or Satan or elements of nature confined to diagram, and celebrations and funeral rites. The permutations seem endless.

But in the end this book invites us to look at 'art' in a new way - as a manifestation of man's looking inward at himself, finding a rational universe out of his attempts to represent phenomena. It was then, it is now, and hopefully it ever shall be - Art. Wonderful book. Highly recommended! Grady Harp, December 05

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Name is Art, September 11, 2009

By	Ruth Housman "synchronicity central" (Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I came across this book after finding the series of DVDs by this title on line, How Art Made the World. The book is a good accompaniment to this BBC series, "starring" Nigel Spivey, who does such a great job walking us through history and contemporary life, a creative series that is about the creative spirit infusing all art. I am teaching a course, Into The Heart of Art, and was thinking of using this book as the text. I highly recommend this, and I totally recommend the DVD. This is not the usual "history of art" because it is slanted towards creativity and how we make art, and it focuses beautifully on the intent. For example, have you ever pondered man's need to take what is seen and enlarge upon it, make caricatures, expand on aspects of the body that are truly not exactly what we "see" but we all do this, and sometimes, frequently, without thinking about it. Have you ever wanted to understand movies in an art sort of way? Take a look at Trajan's column in this book and read the author's words. It's fascinating to realize we aren't as "advanced" as we think we are, and human creativity has been part of the lives of people, of ancient peoples, who came a long long time before us. Yes, I do recommend this series, and however you imbibe it, Take A Long Drink! It's worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Companion to Excellent DVD Series, February 24, 2009

By	Greality Test (Greeley,CO) - See all my reviews

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This small reference helps with places, etc. mentioned in the DVD. Very useful if you want to learn more about something new. The style and organization fit well with the DVD series.