The author of I Sold Andy Warhol (Too Soon) (2009) returns with a paean to the prophets who saw profits in genres of art that were then outside the mainstream.
After defining his concept of “art prophet,” Polsky (Boneheads: My Search for T. Rex, 2011, etc.)—once a gallery owner, now a private dealer—begins his genre journey with Ivan Karp, who discovered Warhol and in some sense propelled public interest in pop art. Then the author moves on to the career of comic-book pioneer Stan Lee and traces the history of that genre from its origins to R. Crumb and graphic novels. Next, he looks at those out in San Francisco who helped create the art of the poster in the 1960s, explores the story of Peter Max and talks about Shepard Fairey’s poster of candidate Barack Obama that proved so popular—and litigious. In a sense, all of the artists Polsky discusses are/were outsiders, but he devotes a chapter to the real outsiders—people with no formal training whose works eventually commanded impressive sums at sales. The author continues with a look at Native American art, earthworks (Polsky got to see Robert Samuelson’s Spiral Jetty when that massive work emerged once again from the Great Salt Lake that had covered it over in high-water days), ceramics (which had to overcome its “craft” label), photography (featuring Diane Arbus and Richard Avedon), photorealistic painting and street art. In each chapter, Polsky celebrates the individual(s)—dealers, collectors, gallery owners—who first took a chance on that genre, tells us a bit about the early and most significant artists and considers the current status and challenges facing the genre. Unfortunately, the text includes no images of the works he references. Clear, concise and energized by the author’s fiery passion for his subject.
Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59051-406-1
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Other Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2011
Small in scope, but will attract readers interested particularly in dogs, moving, and Manhattan.
Nicely varied pictures support a story that will appeal specifically to dog-lovers, children who have just moved houses (or are just about to), and readers familiar with New York City and Central Park.
Beau, a Dalmatian, moves from "a house with a great big yard and lots of grass and trees" to an apartment on the West Side of Manhattan. Sitting in the new apartment, ignored by the movers and surrounded by boxes, Beau wonders sadly where his favorite objects are and whether he’ll ever make new friends. He looks mournfully out the window and sees a huge park—and there are dogs running around! He immediately runs out the door and onto the city streets all by himself. Traffic and streetlights intimidate him briefly, but he soon latches on to a dog-walker and her dogs. Beau joins them for Frisbee and "leap dog," digging holes, and chasing squirrels and pigeons. His new pals jump into a fountain, but Beau decides he better not track muddy paws into his new apartment. Returning home with a promised play-date for the next day, he takes a refreshing drink from the toilet bowl and curls up on his favorite couch. Margolis winks at readers as Beau's owners (appearing for the first time) lament how boring and lonely Beau's day must have been. Frequent misplaced and missing commas are a distraction, but the illustrations use color well for cheer and atmosphere, and angles and perspective vary and remain interesting.
Small in scope, but will attract readers interested particularly in dogs, moving, and Manhattan. (3-5)Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 1-4134-6361-4
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
In definite need of editorial direction but makes a case for the author–whatever his name is–getting his own...
Step-by-step instructions on how to build a home in an economical and artistically unique way.
Owning a home doesn’t have to be a trying ordeal, says Madison, who reports that he built his own house with little more than his own muscle power and ingenuity. Though he claims not to be particularly handy, he managed to create a fully functional cabin complete with electricity, running water and Internet access as part of a journey that was both fulfilling and therapeutic. He takes readers through the process, from cutting down trees and laying the foundation for the floor to installing the piping and electricity to detailing plans to build additional modules. Pictures and diagrams complement the text, and the author even discusses his future plans to fully automate the cabin. In addition to the down-and-dirty details, he uses quotes from a number of philosophers–Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau and others–to help explain his motivation: It was as much about testing his own abilities as it was about creating a physical shelter. On one level, this is a practical guide that contains pertinent information for people who actually want to build their own cabin. On another, it’s a fascinating look inside the mind of a man who chose to go against the grain and who writes with such folksy charm and comical practicality that you can’t help but applaud him for bucking the system. Those not interested in building their own homes will be bored senseless by the technical details and some of the long-winded endnotes, but entertaining anecdotes–such as how the author munches on blackberries while simultaneously trimming his beard in his yard to lay down a barrier of human scent that deters snakes–keep the pages turning.
In definite need of editorial direction but makes a case for the author–whatever his name is–getting his own home-improvement show.Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2006
ISBN: 1-4196-1593-9
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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