Outsider Art: Spontaneous Alternatives (World of Art)

Average customer rating:

Expand your definition of quality in art

Great Introduction to the subject...comprehensive!

Outsider Art - Spontaneous Alternatives

Outsider Art: Spontaneous Alternatives (World of Art)
Colin Rhodes
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Modern | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Folk Art | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Mixed Media | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Raw Creation: Outsider Art & Beyond

How to Look at Outsider Art

Everyday Genius: Self-Taught Art and the Culture of Authenticity

Art Brut: The Origins of Outsider Art

Coming Home!: Self-Taught Artists, the Bible, and the American South

ASIN: 0500203342

Book Description

Outsider Art is work produced outside the mainstream of modern art by self-taught, untrained visionaries, spiritualists, eccentric recluses, folk artists, psychiatric patients, criminals, and others beyond the imposed margins of society and the art market. Coined by Roger Cardinal in 1972, the term in English derived from Jean Dubuffet's "art brut"--literally "raw art," "uncooked" by culture, unaffected by fashion, unmoved by artistic standards. In this indispensable book Colin Rhodes surveys the history and reception of Outsider Art--first championed by Dubuffet and the Surrealists, now appreciated by a wide public--while providing insight into the achievements of both major figures and newly discovered artists. From spirit-guided Madge Gill to schizophrenic Adolf Wlfli, these individuals passionately and obsessively pursue the pictorial expression of their vision.

Customer Reviews:

Expand your definition of quality in art.......2002-09-19

This examination of outsider art begins with artist Jean Duboffet and his formation of the Art Brut movement in the mid-1940s. Duboffet's primary criterion for inclusion in the outsider category was that the artist had to exist outside of the prevalent culture of society. He amassed a huge collection of art that he culled initially from the works of children, and eventually from psychiatric patients. Colin Rhodes goes on to trace the pre-Art Brut history of appreciating the works of the "insane", and proceeds to document representative examples as well as the forces in society that brought attention to them. Rhodes also examines additional sources for outside art including artists working through spiritual mediums, self-taught visionaries creating obsessive environments, and people working outside the mainstream currents of power and culture.

Rhodes is even-handed while presenting the various schools of thought as well as their rationales concerning outsider art definitions. His writing is academic, and lacks any sense of humor, but is incredibly informative and representative. The book is beautifully crafted, with copious plates reproducing samples from various artists. Together with his academic pontifications, they are very illuminating and convey a full understanding of this broad subject. He also includes anecdotes about the lives of these artists that serve to enliven the experience of reading the book. If you are interested in 20th century art and beyond, and will resolve to be patient with the author's academic tone, I think you will really enjoy this.

Great Introduction to the subject...comprehensive!.......2001-06-01

As a collector of thrift store paintings, I was completely enthralled with this book! I couldn't put it down. I now look at my paintings with a new perspective. This book was able to validate many of my intuitive feelings about the creative process. Thank-you Colin Rhodes for this insightful look at some of the least understood of paintings!

Outsider Art - Spontaneous Alternatives.......2000-06-19

A clear concise and thoughroughly interesting view of "Art Brut" in the 20th Century. The representation of work produced outside the mainstream, provides clues and understanding of contemporary art. A must have for a complete art book collection.

Book Description

This volume documents an exhibition at the University of Hong Kong presenting 94 representative pieces of crafts selected from the Guangdong Provincial Museum collection, including ceramics, inkstones, embroideries, ivory, stone, brick and wood carvings, enamel wares, glass wares, clocks and furniture.

Guangdong, situated in the south of China, has always been a rich province with favorable geographical conditions. It has developed its own unique civilization, both materially and spiritually, since ancient times. The industry, dexterity, and ingenuity characteristic of the people of Guangdong have encouraged the creation of exquisite and distinctive handicrafts, full of the spirit of their age. During the Ming dynasty, the development of handicrafts grew alongside that of economy and culture in Guangdong, and continued to flourish in the second half of the Qing dynasty. This had a profound influence on the history of arts and crafts in China.

The volume aims to promote greater appreciation of the civilization of the Lingnan region in China.

Customer Reviews:

An amazing over-view of Chinese gems.......2003-08-20

This book is utterly delightful! It will definitely appeal to those who like art, and in particular Chinese art. The text is very well-written and is most informative, while the illustrations are well-chosen. A nice book to adore the bookshelves of any art lover.

Average customer rating:
Lens and Shutter: An Introduction to Photography
Harvey Weiss
Manufacturer: Young Scott Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP99XG

Average customer rating:
Lens and Shutter an Introduction to Photography
Harvey Weiss
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOHYG0

Customer Reviews:

Graphic novel written and illustrated by Eric Shanower.......2002-01-03

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and their new companion Flicker must venture far from theEmerald City to a vast, uncharted, frozen domain to free Princess Ozma from the clutches of the sorcerous Ice King of Oz. Quality paper, comic book format, colored illustrations (graphic novel).

A chilling tale of adventure in the grand Oz style.......2000-06-28

Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman set off on an epic adventure to the Antarctic kingdom of the Ice King. Their new friend Flicker, a human candle, saves the day and almost loses his life in the process. Eric Shanower's exquisite drawings and delightful tale will melt your heart. A wonderful tale from Oz that you will treasure for a long time.

Average customer rating:

The Ice King of Oz

Manufacturer: First Comics Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HEUV3A

Average customer rating:

Ice King of Oz
Eric Shanower
Manufacturer: First Graphic Novel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HKIQ1S

Product Description

An impotent message: This book is for the insane. It's also for anyone who at some point in life had a fleeting moment of self doubt: the virtually insane. The fact you've read this far proves you have a form of insanity, even if you can't quite put your finger on it. This book is here to help. It's filled with poetry intended, however unrealistically, to ease all manner of mental and emotional distress. Everyone is proud of you for having come this far. Now it's time to take the next step and buy a copy of this book. You'll also need copies for friends and family. This is an experience to be shared - and cherished.

Customer Reviews:

Poetry for Insane and I Feel Bad About My Neck a good duo.......2007-05-18

I still laugh out loud whenever I think of The Favour or The Fart or any of the other hilarious poems in Poetry For The Insane: The Full Mental by Michael B. Davie. This unique book with its offbeat sense of humour is truly one of a kind and well worth a read even if some of these funny poems aren't your cup of tea.

Another book I'd recommend is I feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron and I'd love to see both books paired at a good rate by amazon so my friends will have no more excuses for not buying them both. I really enjoyed I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman for its insightful and humorous approach. I recently read both these terrific books in tandem and agree they make a great pair. I have no hesitation in recommending both great books.

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is wickedly funny.......2007-05-12

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is truly one of a kind. I especially enjoyed the wickedly funny poems Dirty Cleaning Woman, Small Favours, The Fart and King for a Day.
A very odd but very funny book. More people should discover this book of twisted humor. Some reviewers have suggested amazon should pair Poetry For The Insane: The Full Mental with Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. I think that's a wonderful idea. Both books deserve all the attention they can get.

I peed my pants over Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental .......2006-12-20

A lot of the poems in this book are a bit too weird for my tastes, but I'm giving it five stars anyway. Why, you ask? It's because I literally peed my pants laughing over the poems I found very funny. Buy this book for the poems Small Favours and The Fart as these poems alone are worth the price of the book and anything after that that tickles your funny bone is just demented gravy.

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is fantastic.......2006-04-02

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is like nothing I've ever read before. It's a unique experience. As soon as I saw the cover of this book showing a cracked egg with a bum crack, I knew this was going to be one weird and wonderful book, and I was right. Some of the funnier poems had me in tears as I was laughing so hard. Other poems made me think or look at life in a different way. It's a great book.

I must be insane - I really like this book.......2005-11-13

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental makes fun of mental illness, it's politically incorrect and it's really disturbing when you read it and repeatedly laugh out loud, as I did, in spite of my best efforts to keep a straight face. It's rare that any book of humor makes me do much more than smile, but this one had me laughing so hard it hurt. This is really bent, twisted, off-beat poetry with some really crazy and funny ways of looking at things. I didn't want to like this book, but I love it. Check it out - it's like nothing else you'll ever read.

Average customer rating:

aimed at parents, helpful for teachers too

A wonderful book

Solid advice

Library Journal Gives Positive Review

A truly beneficial guide for parents

Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents
Robert A. Cutietta
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Instruction & Study | Theory, Composition & Performance | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Parenting Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Your Musical Child: Inspiring Kids to Play and Sing for Keeps

Kindling the Spark: Recognizing and Developing Musical Talent

Not Until You've Done Your Practice: The classic survival guide for kids who are learning a musical instrument, but hate practicing

Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education

Sound Choices: Guiding Your Child's Musical Experiences

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0195129237

Book Description

Does music make kids smarter? At what age should a child begin music lessons? Where should you purchase an instrument? What should parents expect from a child's teachers and lessons? Raising Musical Kids answers these and many other questions as it covers everything from assembling a listening library for kids, to matching a child's personality with an instrument's personality, to finding musical resources in your community. Knowing that children can--and usually do--get most of their music education within the public school system, the author explores at length the features and benefits of elementary and secondary school programs, and shows how parents can make the schools work for them and their children. Throughout, Cutietta emphasizes the joy of participating in music for its own sake. Raising Musical Kids is a book that parents everywhere will treasure as a complete road map for developing their child's musical abilities.

Customer Reviews:

aimed at parents, helpful for teachers too.......2005-01-28

I'm not a parent, but I am a viola and violin teacher. Cutietta's advice in this book is based on a solid foundation of research and experience. If the parents of all of my students would ponder and take to heart the things clearly and accurately written here, they (and their children) would get much more bang for their buck out of the lessons I teach. I could teach more efficiently. Students would progress faster. Some large roadblocks I spend a great deal of time removing from my student's and parent's minds during their lessons would be removed (or at least whittled down to manageable size) before I encountered them, thus making music lessons more productive, joyful, and fulfilling, for everyone involved.

No previous knowledge of music, child psychology, or educational technique is required -- this book is well-written, straight-shooting counsel for parents, with insights that an older student interested in getting music lessons would also find helpful. This book is definitely going to get a permanent place on my short list of books recommended for my students (or their parents).

A wonderful book.......2003-10-06

I have three children, ages 2-8, and I was given this book by my mom. As you can imagine, I have little time to read, but this book was so easy to read that I finished it in a few weeks of my spare time. Even the way the author explains the research behind the book is fascinating.

I have started doing many of the things suggested in the book and not only are they fun, but I can see my children starting to respond to music in a more sensitive and deep way.

This is an amazing book. Worlds better than most of the books for parents I have read.

Solid advice.......2002-05-01

As a professional musician I was prepared to totally hate this book. I was pleasantly surprised at the good solid advice this book offers. I am not a fan of the Suzuki method. I've walked out of many children's music programs embarassed at how poor the quality of the performance was. Then I had my own child, and even though I am a professional musician I had no idea how to raise my own musical child. My parents didn't have any answers, they happened to make me a musician all by accident. Whatever your goals and motivations for exposing your child to music this is a good book to get you started in the right direction.

Library Journal Gives Positive Review.......2001-12-06

RAISING MUSICAL KIDS received a starred Library Journal review in the December 2001 issue. The review concluded: "Cutietta's [book] will be one that parents refer to again and again. An authoritative addition for parenting collections in all public libraries."

A "starred" review means it is a recommended purchase by libraries.

A truly beneficial guide for parents.......2001-11-06

Finally! A book for parents that explains the sometimes confusing world of music education. This book takes a parent through early childhood activities, choosing a private teacher, how to get you kid to practice, to understanding the expectations of high school music programs and careers in music. Well-written, research-based but easy to read, and illustrated with cartoons, this is a must for every parent interested in sharing their love of music with their children. I highly recommend it!

Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents

Average customer rating:

Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents
Dr. Robert A.; Mercadoocasio, Harvey Cutietta
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKMLCQ

Customer Reviews:

Provides new therapy for chronic functional illnesses.......2001-05-21

CFIDS, Fibromyalgia, And The Virus-Allergy Link provides new therapy for chronic functional illnesses, offering explanations of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue disorders and providing both a set of tests for hidden viral and allergic causes of these conditions and treatment options. Any who suffer from chronic fatigue will welcome this different approach and theory.

Poorly researched, poorly written, poorly edited.......2001-03-07

This book is awful! The author's style is impossibly difficult to read, the information presented is not sourced or footnoted adequately, and the editing is terrible. I would not recommend this book to anyone, but especially not to a layperson with CIFDS looking for help and information. Save your money and spend it on something else.

Average customer rating:

A Real Patriot

I'm a Believer

Thought provoking

In a word...Brilliant !!

"Power Corrupts, and Abosolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Imperial America: Reflections on the United States of Amnesia
Gore Vidal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace

Dreaming War: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta

Decline and Fall of the American Empire (The Real Story Series)

Inventing a Nation: Washington, Adams, Jefferson

Palimpsest: A Memoir

ASIN: B000HT2OJY

Book Description

Gore Vidal has been described as the last ‘noble defender" of the American republic. In Imperial America, Vidal steals the thunder of a right wing America—those who have camouflaged their extremist rhetoric in the Old Glory and the Red, White, and Blue—by demonstrating that those whose protest arbitrary and secret government, those who defend the bill of rights, those who seek to restrain America's international power, are the true patriots.

"Those Americans who refuse to plunge blindly into the maelstrom of European and Asiatic politics are not defeatist or neurotic," he writes. "They are giving evidence of sanity, not cowardice, of adult thinking as distinguished from infantilism. They intend to preserve and defend the Republic. America is not to be Rome or Britain. It is to be America."

Customer Reviews:

A Real Patriot.......2007-08-18

Mr. Gore has an in depth and uncanny view of American Politics and he is right on. Would that we could have leaders such as Mr. Gore running the Country. I can only dream of what could have been while I suffer the ineptitude and greed of modern day politicians. We need more like Mr. Gore who can stir the masses and demand change.

I'm a Believer.......2007-06-01

I'm over 55 and I thought I knew about our government and about Gore Vidal. 40 years ago, I dismissed him as a "queer", as he was called by William F. Buckley. Big mistake.

I don't believe everything I read and I'm not easily impressed. But after reading "Imperial America", now I'm a believer in what Gore Vidal has been saying for a very long time- that America is no longer a Republic, but an Empire and that the interests of "The People" do not drive our elected officials.

This book will make you feel like the wool the government has been pulling over your eyes for the past 50 years is 50% dacron!

Required reading for every concerned American- I wonder how many are out there.

Thought provoking.......2007-04-12

It seems almost inevitable that associated with every fact is a level of fiction. So rather than argue "the facts" or regurgitate them, let us instead argue their relevancy to the state of American society today. In that vein, this book was personally very relevant. Although I fail to agree with every problem cited and/or proposals for their solution, I wholeheartedly agree with its overall assessment for our malaise.

This book expresses an intelligent and insightful perspective of our state of American governance. To ignore this message because we do not agree with all it says or how it says it does us a disservice. Even though three quarters of the book is composed of articles published during the eighties, I feel collectively that they are no less relevant today then they were then. Reading this book has broadened my perspective and I encourage everyone to read it.

In a word...Brilliant !!.......2007-03-19

Gore Vidal does a brilliant job at pointing out how our "Republic" has turned into an Empire as expansive and militaristic as Rome in the first century and Britain in the nineteenth. He has a keen eye and is a wonderful observer. It is amazing that more Americans will not wake up and smell the coffee. Face it, America is an Empire! America is the 21st century Rome! And Mr. Vidal does a fantastic job at describing and detailing how we have arrived at as the Empire that we are.
However, there is one discrepancy that I have with Mr. Vidal's thesis. Mr. Vidal, who is very patriotic, does his best to try and explain ways in which the American Empire can return to a Republic. In other words, he does a good job at explaining that the world is round (that America is an Empire)but still has the attitude that it is flat (that is still Republic in spirit and will become a Republic once again). I believe that the American Empire will fall very soon - within a matter of five years - as the Prophet Joseph Smith predicted in Nauvoo. I believe that the only stable institution that can and will survive the coming anarchy (see Robert D. Kaplan's book) is the theocratic Kingdom of God (see my personal portfolio). As Francois-Marie Arouet, Voltaire, said it best, "I disagree with what comes out of you pen, but I would defend to the death your right to write it."
As I said before, I believe that Mr. Vidal does a great job at defining that America is an Empire, but that is it. I think that it is too late for the American Empire. It will crash and burn HARD! Mind you, I did not say the people. I believe completely that the people living in the American Empire, and the people in the rest of the world for that matter, can easily repent and return to Jesus Christ the Lord.
So all in all, a great observation on the American Empire. Four out of five stars.

"Power Corrupts, and Abosolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.......2007-02-22

Gore Vidal's anthology titled IMPERIAL AMERICA is an anthology of essays written between 1980s and c. 2004. While these essays may seem dated to those with short memories,the theme of unbridled power, media lying, and the outer limits of hypocrisy are the same even though the "actors" are different.

Vidal cites historical anecdotes and comments from the Founding Fathers about the perils of political power. According to Vidal, American drive toward imperial power and central power began with the Civil War or the War of Southern Secession or the War of Southern Independence. The basic synamic of this war was that Northern Bankers made considerale money and have ever since became more greedy and powerful.

Vidal's description of the Spanish-American War includes the bloody suppression of the people of the Phillipines who were promised independence in 1898 only to have such promises and oaths revoked. The subsequent war of suppression which probably lasted from 1898 to 1902 costing over 200,000 lives.

Vidal's description of the Cold War is as clear a presentation of trends and events as this reviewer has read. What U.S. authorities could have gained by policy, they tried to get by military force. Vidal explains that the reasons for this use of force was/is to enhance arms executives, oil executives, and bankers at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.

Many times U.S. citizens are not alert to the "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace" trends because journalists and yes, historians repeat the same distortions and lies. Due to corportate executives controlling newpapers and other media sources, journalists, and academicians have "sold their soul" to please corporate masters and bankers. If one reflects on sensationalist news stories for the past 60 years, he/she will discover that most of these stories were lies, exaggerations, and distoritions. When some honest historians corrected any of these distoritions, the corrections got little or no attention. Or, anyone who made such an honest effort was badly smeared by "offical panals" of liars in the absence of the person in question. In fact, this is exactly what happened to Vidal himself. The montior of the panal was Roger Mudd (Mud?) who made all sorts of accusations against Vidal when Vidal was not on the panal to defend himself. The fact is Roger Mudd is a coward.

Vidal gives clear evidence of unbridled power and hypocrisy. He also suggests means of ending the corrpution of a centralized police state. He suggests a return to the concept of federalism and uses the examle of the Swiss. Notice the Swiss stay out of war and have high living standards. Vidal suggests that U.S. citizens could locate in areas that satisfy their cultural and social preferences.

One feature of Vidal's essays that should catch readers' attention is his criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court justices whom Vidal accuses of giving legal sanction to what is otherwise illegal and unconstitutional. This trend has only accelerated since the 1980s, and Vidal presents brief but concise explanations of these Supreme Court decisions.

While some may think some of these essays are redundant, they need to be. Those with short memories need repeated reminders of serious problems or, as the subtitle of the book reads REFLCETIONS ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA. Vidals depth of knowledge and writing style make these essays well worth reading.

Book Description

The Indus valley is home to birds of the South Asian subcontinent, East Africa, Europe and much of the rest of Asia. According to T.J. Roberts, the region serves as a great caravan-serai for Eurasian Avifauna travellers. Ornithologists give different figures of the total number of the species of birds in the Indus valley and its adjoining lands. In this book, the author, who, though no specialist, with his passion and love for birds, has attempted to present his rare collection of photographs with a complete description of the birds, their appearance, size, habits and habitat. According to him, birds have been nature's very special gift to our planet and there was a time when man accorded special recognition to birds. Supporting this, he has taken narrated references to human cultural associations with the different species and also written the legends and traditions, particularly folklore, associated with them. The descriptions are accompanied with coloured photographs and vernacular names common to the inhabitants of the valley.

Falconry in the Valley of the Indus (Oxford in Asia Historical Reprints)

Average customer rating:

Entertaining look at falconry practices 150 years ago.

Falconry in the Valley of the Indus (Oxford in Asia Historical Reprints)
Richard Francis Burton
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | Etiquette | Reference | Subjects | Books

General & Anthologies | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Shooting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0195777379

Book Description

One of the lesser known works about India by the eminent Victorian explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton, Falconry in the Valley of Indus is not just a book on the once-popular sport of falconry, it is a significant recording of the culture of Sindh. In this lively narrative first published in
1852, Burton reveals the mores and manners of the landed gentry in Sindh while providing the gory details of a sport they practiced with passion.

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining look at falconry practices 150 years ago........2001-02-21

Richard Burton describes his experiences living in the Sindh province (modern day Pakistan). He details the various birds of prey used by the falconers, and relates the tales of his hunting expeditions.

This is definately not a how-to book, rather it is a glimpse at the history of falconry as it was practiced in the Indus valley.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books