Synopses & Reviews
Art of the 1980s oscillated between radical and conservative, capricious and political, socially engaged and art historically aware. Published in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, this fascinating book chronicles canonical as well as nearly forgotten works of the 1980s, arguing that what has often been dismissed as cynical or ironic should be viewed as a struggle on the part of artists to articulate their needs and desires in an increasingly commodified world. The major developments of the decadeand#8212;the rise of the commercial art market, the politicization of the AIDS crisis, the increased visibility of women and gay artists and artists of color, and the ascension of new mediaand#8212;are illuminated in works by Sophie Calle, Nan Goldin, Mike Kelley, Jeff Koons, Sherrie Levine, and Lorna Simpson, among others. Essays by leading scholars provide unique perspectives on the decade's competing factions and seemingly contradictory elements, from counterculture to the mainstream, radicalism to democracy and historical awareness, conservatism to feminist politics.
Complete with critical texts on each work, This Will Have Been brings into focus the full impact of the art, artists, and political and cultural ruptures of this paradigm-shifting decade. More than 200 full-color reproductions of works in a range of media, including drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture, illustrate this ambitious guide to a period of artistic transformation.
Review
and#8220;This Will Have Been reminds us that itand#8217;s important to revisit what we have forgotten.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus
Review
and#8220;This Will Have Been: Art, Love and Politics in the 1980s is one of the best exhibition catalogues of the year. Edited by Helen Molesworth almost every essay is smart and historicizing.and#8221;and#8212;Tyler Green, Modern Art Notes
Review
and#8220;Beautifully designed, an objet dand#8217;art in itself, Molesworthand#8217;s volume explores art from a time period that, she readily admits, had a deeply a ambivalent attitude toward art. . . Molesworth shows how art became hardwired into the decadeand#8217;s history. . . Cultural historians, like myself, have a lot to learn from this collection.and#8221;and#8212;PopMatters
Review
"This Will Have Been: Art, Love, and Politics in the 1980s gives a deep look at the fears and desires that pulsed throughout this tumultuous era. In tandem with this exhibition, Yale University Press recently released This Will Have Been: Art, Love, and Politics in the 1980s Helen Molesworth's take on the 80s art scene, which is worth picking up for the images alone.and#8221;and#8212;The Huffington Post
Synopsis
A fascinating examination of the cultural and political forces that shaped the art of a tumultuous decade
Synopsis
A dynamic new look at the legendary college that was a major incubator of the arts in midcentury America
Synopsis
This richly illustrated catalogue presents a vivid picture of Black Mountain College in North Carolina, which was a major incubator of avant-garde art, music, dance, and poetry in midcentury America.
Synopsis
In 1933, John Rice founded Black Mountain College in North Carolina as an experiment in making artistic experience central to learning. Though it operated for only 24 years, this pioneering school played a significant role in fostering avant-garde art, music, dance, and poetry, and an astonishing number of important artists taught or studied there. Among the instructors were Josef and Anni Albers, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Buckminster Fuller, Karen Karnes, M. C. Richards, and Willem de Kooning, and students included Ruth Asawa, Robert Rauschenberg, and Cy Twombly.
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Leap Before You Look is a singular exploration of this legendary school and of the work of the artists who spent time there. Scholars from a variety of fields contribute original essays about diverse aspects of the Collegeandmdash;spanning everything from its farm program to the influence of Bauhaus principlesandmdash;and about the people and ideas that gave it such a lasting impact. In addition, catalogue entries highlight selected works, including writings, musical compositions, visual arts, and crafts. The bookandrsquo;s fresh approach and rich illustration program convey the atmosphere of creativity and experimentation that was unique to Black Mountain College, and that served as an inspiration to so many. This timely volume will be essential reading for anyone interested in the College and its enduring legacy.
About the Author
Helen Molesworth is chief curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston. Her books include Solitaire: Lee Lozano, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Joan Semmel (Yale) and Long Life Cool White: Photographs and Essays by Moyra Davey (Yale).