This funny book masquerades as an old-fashioned guide to the manners and foibles of the art world, written by a savvy 21st century artist. But it is clever, and has many voices: snide like Miss Manners, sweet and impeccable like Emily Post, sharp like Swifts encyclopedia of clichs, and sneaky like David Wilsons fabricated documents for the Museum of Jurassic Technology.
The art world is now both socially professional and professionally social. Curators visit artists’ studios; collectors, dealers, and journalists assemble for a reception, exchange introductions and small talk; art is bought and sold; careers (and friendships) brighten or fade. In each situation, certain behaviors are expected while others are silently discouraged. Sometimes, what's appropriate in the real world would be catastrophic in the art world, and vice versa. Making these distinctions on the spot can be nerve-wracking and disastrous. So we asked ourselves: What is the place of etiquette in art? Since we don't have all the answers, we politely asked our friends for some help.
The Easy and Smart Way to Mind Your Manners in the Boardroom and Beyond Diane Gottsman is here to make minding your manners more practical, relatable and modern. In today’s busy world, there are too many instances when proper social behavior can go awry, holding us back or making us nervous. Knowing what to say, wear and how to conduct ourselves not only opens many doors, but also puts us at ease and brings out the best in us. Without being rigid or stuffy, Diane’s simple and easy tips show readers how to feel comfortable in any situation and how to elegantly become their best, most confident selves. Readers will no longer worry about what to wear to work; how to shake hands with a higher-level executive; how to travel with the boss and deal with office cliques; how to conduct oneself on social media and the do’s and don’ts of everything in between, from table manners to baby showers.
"Manners and Mischief is a cohesive, stimulating volume. Reading these essays and the editors' enlightening introduction was a joy: I learned a great deal, smiled and laughed with uncommon regularity, and marveled at the quality of this remarkable collection." -William M. Tsutsui, author of Godzilla on My Mind "This book is full of fascinating insights. Well-written and often witty, it captures a detailed snapshot of Japanese society in the early 21st century. I would say this is the most insightful book on modern Japan I have read in years." -Liza Dalby, anthropologist and novelist
'I have never read such a stimulating short guide to art' Lynn Barber, Sunday Times Now Grayson Perry is a fully paid-up member of the art establishment, he wants to show that any of us can appreciate art (after all, there is a reason he's called this book Playing to the Gallery and not 'Sucking up to an Academic Elite'). Based on his hugely popular BBC Radio 4 Reith Lectures and full of pictures, this funny, personal journey through the art world answers the basic questions that might occur to us in an art gallery but seem too embarrassing to ask.
Why do people get bored and tired in art museums and why does that matter? Author Whitaker writes in this humorous and incisive collection of essays, museums matter for reasons that have less to do with art as we know it and more to do with business, politics, and the age-old question of how to live--back cover.
Three timeless books on the art of living gracefully—from a Renaissance philosopher, a beloved first lady, and the original matron of American manners. The Art of Worldly Wisdom: Seventeenth-century Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracián advises people of all walks of life on how to approach political, professional, and personal situations in a dog-eat-dog world. Comprised of three hundred pithy aphorisms, this influential work offers thought-provoking and accessible advice. Some subjects include “Never Compete,” “The Art of Letting Things Alone,” and “Anticipate Injuries and Turn Them into Favors.” Eleanor Roosevelt’s Book of Common Sense Etiquette: As a politician, diplomat, activist, and first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt knew the importance of civility. In this etiquette guide, first published in 1962, she draws from her personal and professional experiences to cover a broad range of topics, from business dealings to family affairs, receiving guests, and traveling abroad. Emily Post’s Etiquette: A popular phenomenon when it was first published in 1922, this guide established Emily Post as the undisputed authority on considerate behavior. Though updated editions have appeared over the years, this original text is both a fascinating window into American high society at the dawn of the Roaring Twenties and a timeless testament to the value of social grace.
"A fun-filled art activity book that will encourage kids to express themselves while teaching them about key artistic styles and a selection of pioneering artists from history"--