The writings of Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002), the entirety of which are collected in this volume, represent a revealing series of reflections on art and culture by the deeply influential Spanish sculptor, originally intended either for his private use or as public lectures. Edited in collaboration with Chillida's family, the texts include tributes to such figures as Bach, Joan Miró, Gabriel Aresti, Pío Baroja, Joan Brossa, María Zambrano and Mark Rothko, alongside discussions of the most difficult artistic questions that Chillida faced throughout his career, covered here in his acceptance speech for his induction to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. Also discussed are metaphysical themes of perception, knowledge and religion, all of which informed his sculpture's approach to materiality as a kind of "realism," and made his body of work one of the most significant in abstract sculpture.
The sculptural work of Chillida (San Sebastian, 1924-2002) is non-figurative and characterised, in the artist's own words, by the dialogue between masses and voids of often monumental proportions, elements that he endows with conceptual unity thanks to his mastery of the laws of movement and balance. In this book Carandente, far from restricting himself to commenting on the most visible aspects of the artist's career, analyses the conceptual and technical dimensions of his activity, both the individual task of searching and perfecting and the socio-cultural context that acts as a framework to the Basque sculptor's output. Chillida is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding figures in the sculpture of the second half of the 20th century. 782 illustrations
In the 1950s and 60s, Martin Heidegger turned to sculpture to rethink the relationship between bodies and space and the role of art in our lives. In his texts on the subject—a catalog contribution for an Ernst Barlach exhibition, a speech at a gallery opening for Bernhard Heiliger, a lecture on bas-relief depictions of Athena, and a collaboration with Eduardo Chillida—he formulates his later aesthetic theory, a thinking of relationality. Against a traditional view of space as an empty container for discrete bodies, these writings understand the body as already beyond itself in a world of relations and conceive of space as a material medium of relational contact. Sculpture shows us how we belong to the world, a world in the midst of a technological process of uprooting and homelessness. Heidegger suggests how we can still find room to dwell therein. Filled with illustrations of works that Heidegger encountered or considered, Heidegger Among the Sculptors makes a singular contribution to the philosophy of sculpture.
A deluxe appreciation of Eduardo Chillida's public sculpture The outdoor public works of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002), which are installed in various cities around the world, are protrayed here in stunning black-and-white photography, highlighting the intensity of his monumentally scaled abstract sculptures. In most cases, the architectural, urban or landscape setting determines many elements of the sculpture, and the artist strives to relate his design to the external environment in which it is placed. Here, both the details of each sculpture and its setting are featured. Chillida: Open-Air Sculptures begins with an essay by Italian art critic Giovanni Carandente that tracks Chilida's origins and inspirations, and also analyzes his civic and social themes. The volume also features a wide selection of the artist's own writings, included on inserted pages printed on an alternative paper stock. Chilida's lucid meditations on sculpture outline his intentions and desires, bringing us closer to the work itself.
In 'Curating Consciousness', Marcia Brennan focuses on one of the transformational figures of 20th century curatorial culture, and the main protagonist of this (until now) unacknowledged curatorial practice.
A massive compendium on the multimedia art of Rashid Johnson, tackling themes of Black history, literature, philosophy and material culture Rashid Johnson (born 1977) is renowned for challenging the assumptions often present in collective notions of Blackness. Based in New York, Johnson is among an influential group of American artists whose work employs a wide range of materials and images to explore themes of art history, literature, philosophy, and personal and cultural identity. After beginning his career working primarily in photography, Johnson has expanded into a variety of mediums, including text work, sculptural objects, installation, painting, drawing, collage, film, performance and choreography. Drawing on a dizzying array of historical, cultural, literary and musical references, Johnson ultimately invites audiences to find connections to their own lives. Rashid Johnson: The Hikers presents works from his highly acclaimed shows at the Aspen Art Museum, Museo Tamayo and Hauser & Wirth. This dynamic and unprecedented collection of his work features a conversation between Rashid Johnson and choreographer Claudia Schreier, as well as essays by curators Heidi Zuckerman and Manuela Moscoso.
"This book is as much about painting as it is about the digital world. But beyond both it's really about visual intelligence. What makes it a joy to read is the lovely match between Faure Walker's subject and his style of writing: apparently artless, just making itself up as it goes along, but actually always with a witty spring, and never slack." -- MATTHEW COLLINGS, artist, critic, author, and television host "As a painter himself, James Faure Walker opens up a provocative dialogue between painting and digital computing that is essential reading for all painters interested in new technologies." -- IRVING SANDLER, author, critic, and art historian "Faure Walker has a distinguished background as both a painter and digital artist. He is an early adopter of digital technology in this regard, so has lived the history of the ever-accelerating embrace of the digital. On top of this, he is a good storyteller and a clear writer who avoids the pitfalls of pretentious art-world jargon." -- LANE HALL, digital artist and professor "Using a wide stream of fresh water as a metaphor, Faure Walker depicts a flow of ideas, concepts, and solutions that result in digital art. All the core elements of an art-style-in-making are here: ties with mainstream and traditional art, stages of technological progress, and reflections on the bright and varied personalities of digital artists. With a personal approach, Faure Walker presents vibrant, exciting, emotionally overpowering art works and describes them with empathy and imagination. This entertaining, sensitive, and observant book itself flows like a river." -- ANNA URSYN, digital artist and professor "Something like this book is overdue. I am not aware of any comparable work. Lots of 'how to do,' but nothing raising so many interesting and critical questions." -- HANS DEHLINGER, digital artist and professor "Here is the intimate narrative of a passionate yet skeptical explorer who unflinchingly records his artistic discoveries and personal reflections. Faure Walker's decades of experience as a practicing painter, art critic, and educator shine through on every page. The book is an essential resource for anyone interested in digital visual culture." -- ANNE MORGAN SPALTER, digital artist, author, and visual computing researcher This book is about art, written from an artist's point of view. It also is about computers, written from the perspective of a painter who uses them. Painting the Digital River is James Faure Walker's personal odyssey from the traditional art scene to fresh horizons, from hand to digital painting--and sometimes back again. It is a literate and witty attempt to make sense of the introduction of computer tools into the creation of art, to understand the issues and the fuss, to appreciate the people involved and the work they produce, to know the promise of the new media, as well as the risks. Following his own winding path, Faure Walker tells of learning to paint with the computer, of misunderstandings across the art and science divide, of software limitations, of conversations between the mainstream and digital art worlds, of emerging genres of digital painting, of the medieval digital, of a different role for drawing. As a painter and computer enthusiast, the author recognizes the marvels of digital paint as well as anyone. But he also challenges the assumption that digital somehow means different. The questions he raises matter to artists of every background, style, and disposition, and the answers should reward anyone seeking insight into contemporary art.
The 'invisible masterpiece', then, is an unattainable ideal, an ideal that has both bewitched and bewildered artists." "The Invisible Masterpiece is an unusual reconstruction of the history of the work of art since 1800, in which Hans Belting explores and explains the dreams and fears, the triumphs and failures of modernity's painters and sculptors."--BOOK JACKET.
Published to accompany the 1994 exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, this book constitutes the most extensive survey of modern illustrated books to be offered in many years. Work by artists from Pierre Bonnard to Barbara Kruger and writers from Guillaume Apollinarie to Susan Sontag. An importnt reference for collectors and connoisseurs. Includes notable works by Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.
