Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary - Softcover

Terry Barrett

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1559341475 ISBN 13: 9781559341479

Publisher: Mayfield Pub Co, 1994

Synopsis

Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary helps students of art and art history better understand and appreciate contemporary art by studying the principles of art criticism and applying them to contemporary forms of American art. This book provides a framework for critically considering contemporary art through describing, interpreting, evaluating, and theorizing. The diverse perspectives of contemporary critics such as Douglas Crimp, Arthur Danto, Elizabeth Heartney, Donald Kuspit, Lucy Lippard, Peter Plagens, and Arlene Raven on the work of Leon Golub, Jenny Holzer, Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth Murray, Martin Puryear, William Wegman, and many other artists help readers develop their own critical positions. Chapter 5, "Theory and Art Criticism, " offers clear definitions of modernism, post-modernism, feminism, and multiculturalism, enabling readers to understand the critical milieu in which twentieth century critics have been operating. An entire chapter (Chapter 6) devoted to writing and talking about contemporary art leads readers through the process of preparing thoughtful, well-constructed critical analyses. Two student papers provide useful examples of the principles discussed throughout the text. Guidelines for constructive group criticism are also included.

About this title

About the Author

Terry Barrett is Professor of Art Education, with a joint appointment in the Department of Art, at The Ohio State University, where he is the recipient of a distinguished teaching award for courses in criticism and aesthetics within education. He has authored four books: Interpreting Art: Reflecting, Wondering and Responding; Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary (2nd ed.); Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images (4th ed.); and Talking about Student Art. He edited the anthology Lessons for Teaching Art Criticism, published articles in Aesthetic Education, Afterimage, Art Education, Exposure, Camera-Lucida, Dialogue, Cultural Research in Art Education, New Advocate, New Art Examiner, Studies in Art Education, Teaching Artist Journal, Theory into Practice, Visual Arts Research, and many chapters in edited books. He is an art critic in education for the Ohio Arts Council, consults museum education departments, juries exhibitions, and conducts workshops on studio critiques and writing.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mayfield Pub Co
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1559341475
• ISBN 13: 9781559341479
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 200