Synopses & Reviews
The pioneering conceptual artist John Baldessari (b. 1931) began his career as a painter in the 1950s, but in the subsequent decades he expanded his practice in a new and groundbreaking direction by juxtaposing texts with found photography or appropriated images. These texts questioned the nature of art and the art-viewing experience, suggesting new meanings for the images they accompanied. This interaction of words and images remained a critical aspect of Baldessari's work, even as he branched into other media, such as site-specific installations, drawings, video, sculpture, prints, and multiples.
The first of a projected four-volume set, this lavishly illustrated book features about 500 works and chronicles an important shift in Baldessari's thinking during these formative years. Included are such landmark works as the Cremation Project (1970), where Baldessari incinerated the "body" of work he had made between the years 1953 and 1966. The ashes of the cremated works were then baked into cookies, and the rest sealed in a book-shaped urn, which he then presented along with a plaque announcing the "life" and "death" dates. Baldessari's work and teaching have been greatly influential on a subsequent generation of artists.
The book features an essay by Yve-Alain Bois considering Baldessari's ethos as a generator of his artistic practice. Also included are an interview with Christopher Knight and a detailed chronology of the artist's life and work.
Review
“A fascinating artist”—Barry Schwabsky, Bookforum Barry Schwabsky
Review
and#8220;A fascinating artistand#8221;and#8212;Barry Schwabsky, Bookforum
Synopsis
The highly anticipated first volume of the complete catalogue of works byand#160;John Baldessari
Synopsis
The highly anticipated first volume of the complete catalogue of works by John Baldessari
The pioneering conceptual artist John Baldessari (b. 1931) began his career as a painter in the 1950s, but in the subsequent decades he expanded his practice in a new and groundbreaking direction by juxtaposing texts with found photography or appropriated images. These texts questioned the nature of art and the art-viewing experience, suggesting new meanings for the images they accompanied. This interaction of words and images remained a critical aspect of Baldessari's work, even as he branched into other media, such as site-specific installations, drawings, video, sculpture, prints, and multiples.
The first of a projected four-volume set, this lavishly illustrated book features about 500 works and chronicles an important shift in Baldessari's thinking during these formative years. Included are such landmark works as the Cremation Project (1970), where Baldessari incinerated the "body" of work he had made between the years 1953 and 1966. The ashes of the cremated works were then baked into cookies, and the rest sealed in a book-shaped urn, which he then presented along with a plaque announcing the "life" and "death" dates. Baldessari's work and teaching have been greatly influential on a subsequent generation of artists.
The book features an essay by Yve-Alain Bois considering Baldessari's ethos as a generator of his artistic practice. Also included are an interview with Christopher Knight and a detailed chronology of the artist's life and work.
Synopsis
A comprehensive look at works made by Baldessari between the years 1987 and 1993
Synopsis
This volume, the third of the John Baldessari catalogue raisonnandeacute; project, documents unique works from 1987 to 1993 and features multi-paneled photo-based works that demonstrate the artistandrsquo;s maturity and mastery.
Synopsis
This handsome volume, the third of the John Baldessari (b. 1931) catalogue raisonnandeacute; project, compiles 400-plus unique works of art made by the influential conceptual artist from 1987 through 1993. Here we see the artistandrsquo;s large-scale photo-based works, many of which employed his signature colored discs painted over the faces of people in the photos, accompanied by entries that trace the shifts and developments in Baldessariandrsquo;s work as his collaged photo narratives achieved maturity and mastery.
and#160;
A critical essay by Briony Fer provides a close reading of selected works, giving historical context for Baldessariandrsquo;s art from this period. In addition to a detailed chronology, complete exhibition history, and bibliography, this volume notably features a previously unpublished conversation between Baldessari and the artist Ed Ruscha, which was undertaken specifically for this publication. In the conversation, the artists discuss their early careers in Southern California and the shared thematic concerns in their work.
and#160;
The artworks in this volume demonstrate Baldessariandrsquo;s ability to expressandmdash;and, in many cases, combineandmdash;the narrative potential of images and the associative power of language within the boundaries of a single piece.and#160;
About the Author
Robert Dean is editorial director and
Patrick Pardo is research editor of the
John Baldessari Catalogue Raisonnandeacute;.
Briony Fer is an art historian, writer, and professor at University College, London.
Ed Ruscha is an internationally acclaimed artist based in Los Angeles.