Gardens of Revelation: Environments by Visionary Artists (Hardcover)

by John Beardsley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Twenty visionary architects have created unusual landscape/building environments through their revolutionary visions: Beardsley gathers their stories and unorthodox creations in this fine presentation, which blends color photos of their achievements with in-depth profiles of both personalities and artistic insights. This is an excellent and unusual examination of diverse achievements. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description
This lively international tour spans from the soaring spires of Watts towers in Los Angeles to the spirit-lifting Camel Yard and Owl House in New Bethesda, South Africa.

With incisive intelligence and beguiling prose, John Beardsley tells the story of some twenty-five "visionary environments" and the fiercely independent individuals who created them. Beardsley also situates the work in the larger contexts of traditional garden design, religious architecture, environmental sculpture, and folk art. The thought-provoking text combines with dazzling views of the far-flung gardens to make this an inspiring volume.

Other Details: Now in paperback! 120 illustrations, 90 in full color --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 1st edition (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558593608
• ISBN-13: 978-1558593602
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,507,337 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Respectful and comprehensive treatment of outsider artists, June 17, 1998

By A Customer

This is a fabulous book. It is a comprehensive and respectful treatment of outsider artists from the US and abroad. The photos are exquisite and the text is well-written and informative. If you are at all interested in outsider art, this book will be a cherished addition to your library.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great beardsley book!, November 17, 2000

By A Customer

a crusader of public art and the outsider's view and place within the landscape, beardsley once again publishes a magnificent chronicle of uniquely driven individuals and their art. highly recommended - excellent for anyone interested in art, landscape, theory, pop culture, sociology...incredibly well done!

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Words on Revelation, September 26, 2004

By	John Preble "UCM Museum Director" (ABITA SPRINGS, LA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Gardens of Revelation: Environments by Visionary Artists (How Artists See) (Paperback)

This is one of those books that I did not enjoy reading but I still feel the book is important. It is not that I agree with the subject - It is just that this book if very very "wordy." Lots of big words - like the kind you put into a college book report. I did read it twice but it is not for me. However at the same time there is some decent info - hidden between the big words - for the person that likes the subject.