From Andy Warhol's Brillo boxes to provocative dung-splattered madonnas, in today's art world many strange, even shocking, things are put on displa...
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reviews
Oct 17, 2010
Lauren
rated it: 
A good but very basic overview of the major theories of art. I shouldn't have expected more since it is a very small and short book (200 pages). But she is even handed in her treatment of all of the theories. I was pleased that she was able to approach multi-cultural and feminist theories of art in the same way as she presented the others, showing both their positive and negative sides. Many people seem afraid to criticize for fear of being thought racist or anti-feminist. But theories can
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Jan 15, 2008
Eduardo
rated it: 
El libro me parece una sencilla y práctica introducción a la apreciación artística. Si bien me parece que los capítulos centrales están fuera de lugar - aquellos que hablan sobre la cuestión monetaria en el arte y de la Guerrilla Girls que no vienen a cuento sobre todo porque en la conclusión de sendos capítulos Freeland se opone a la visión del arte tanto desde la perspectiva económica como sexista - el capítulo introductorio y el que habla sobre las perspectivas modernas y posmodernas son inte
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Mar 22, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Our local library didn't have a copy. It's not available for my nook. The local B & N had one paperback that cost me a total of 55 cents after my educator's discount and the amount remaining on a gift card! It didn't take long to read. Freeland references Dewey and bases her theory on his work. I would say this is more philosophical than theoretical and definitely thought provoking.
Jul 29, 2008
Freeland endorses Richard Anderson's definition of "art" as "culturally significant meaning, skillfully encoded in an affecting, sensuous medium" (77). She admits that what counts as "culturally significant" is contentious. And the definition would seem to include Volkswagen ads and possibly exclude works by Joseph Kosuth or Art & Language (because the works aren't affecting and sensuous, but coldly intellectual and text-based). But one virtue of this intro to art t
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Jan 09, 2011
R
rated it:
a little bit rough as an introduction. but for those who have never thought about art and the business this book should be quite interesting to read. if you can read japanese i recommend you to read it in japanese. the translator did a good job to smoothen the roughness.
Nov 26, 2008
Christine
rated it:
This book was VERY introductory to Art Theory. I enjoyed it, particularly Ch. 6 - "Cognition, Creation, Comprehension" - which dealt with different theories of interpreting artwork. I could have done with more of that, but never having taken art history or studio art of any kind none of this was too repetitive. Still I could have done with more sophisticated and varied answers to the title question.
Aug 28, 2009
Amber
rated it:
Really, really excellent book for people who don't necessarily "get" more modern art. Also good for people who like art but don't know why (or don't like art but don't know why).
Dec 07, 2011
Pradiipa
rated it:
A comprehansive introduction to art. It is easy to read and the author has made the subject matters (ie Art Theory) accessible and entertainig, love this book.
Apr 17, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Interesting, basic introduction to art theory and discussion of modern art. I'd recommend skipping the introduction--that was very dry and took me a while to get through even though it was short. The book is only a couple hundred pages so it doesn't deal with anything in depth but it is pretty interesting.
Apr 12, 2011
Ed
rated it:
I'd recommend it for people who want to have their mind challenged, but not too challenged, to think about what art is.
Sort of goes over some fairly familiar territory if you have thought about it a lot.They may find this irritating.
In either event it is compact and accessible.
Sort of goes over some fairly familiar territory if you have thought about it a lot.They may find this irritating.
In either event it is compact and accessible.
Apr 22, 2011
Yuree
rated it:
Nice (very) introductory book about art. The author guides reader in calm, clear tone about what definition art has been have. Those people who think art as all about making something pretty- please read this book before arguing your point.
Dec 16, 2009
Zac
rated it: 
A truly splendid survey of art theory and philosophy. Surprisingly, Freeland finds a way to be objective in reviewing interpretations of modern and post-modern art. This really is a must-read for anyone who has any interest in going to an art museum. Though short, it goes right to the heart of the most challenging questions concerning art today.
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