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To: Dark Skies
I bought a copy of John Russell's "Meanings of Modern Art" at the MOMA years ago...I know I must be hopelessly ignorant (and hopelessly romantic) but I can't stop rereading it.

Could you give it a thumbs up or down? And could you recommend something even better?

Believe it or not, I don't know that book. But it must be good if you are re-reading it. I liked Robert Hughes Shock of the New years ago.

Actually, because I've been having such fun with these posts, I have been in touch with a publisher about a book explaining abstract art and modernism. Should be fun. Of course, that will be a GREAT book :) and I will let you know of it when it gets published.

Otherwise, I have gleaned an odd assortment of books from which I have learned certain points, but none of them are easy reads. Clement Greenberg's books on criticism (about 4-6 of them) are good, especially his essay on Cubism. William Rubin wrote an essay years ago called "Cezanne and Cezannisme" (in a Cezanne catalogue of an exhibition) that inspired many of my ideas on how it was Braque (and not Picasso) who initially developed cubism from Cezanne. Jonathan Fineberg has written a very readable Art since 1940 that I would also recommend. I often use Hunter and Jacobus' Modern Art for my early 20th century courses, but it is a bit heavy.

31 posted on 10/30/2005 4:08:43 PM PST by Republicanprofessor
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To: Republicanprofessor
From what I can tell you are a great writer...excited about the subject matter and you have a common touch.

I read somewhere long ago that good writers and teachers have an enthusiasm. They teach and write as though they just discovered the issues they are communicating (paraphrase...errors mine).

You are a gifted teacher and writer...best of luck!

33 posted on 10/30/2005 4:19:26 PM PST by Dark Skies ("A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants." -- Churchill)
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To: Republicanprofessor
Let me know when you finish your book...I would like to purchase a copy (autographed, of course). Modern art (and art in general) is wonderful...but it is not so accessible to regular folk (regular folk love it but are ashamed of their lack of education). I think you can bridge that gap...huge market of hungry art lovers out there.

John Russell ("The Meanings of Modern Art") was a art critic at Times of London and NY. Also wrote in a way that is reminiscent of your style. It reduced complex issues to simple language that was understood by both the learned and the amateur. Powerful tool, that.

34 posted on 10/30/2005 4:35:12 PM PST by Dark Skies ("A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants." -- Churchill)
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