Jack Goldstein and the CalArts Mafia

by Richard Hertz

Jack Goldstein and the CalArts Mafia is anchored by Jack's reflections, dramatized by Hertz into first person narratives, of the early days of CalArts and the last days of Chouinard; the New York artworld; the trials and tribulations of finding and maintaining success; his inter-personal relationships; and his disappearance from the art scene. They are complemented by the dramatized first person narratives of Jack's friends, including John Baldessari, Troy Brauntuch, Rosetta Brooks, Jean Fisher, Robert Longo, Matt Mullican, and James Welling. There are provocative portraits of many well known personalities of the 80s, including Mary Boone, David Salle, and Helene Winer, all working at a time when "the competitive spirit was strong and often brutal, caring little about anything but oneself and making lots of money." Has anything changed?

Genres: Art

237 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Frenchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever written/published about the artworld ever. Should be a mandatory read for all art Grad students, along with the viewing of Paul McCarthy's Painter video.
I read it about once a year, it's also a great resource for the Los Angeles art scene at the end of the Sixties and beginning of the Seventies.

[Léon Nullans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the whole take on the oral transcription and I am usually very fond of these but something was off on this one at times. I dont know if its because the actual protagonists are not as exciting (now*), or if its because it is oddly hard to see oneself in their descriptions (i know the point isnt always that but students in art schools uknow...).
Or maybe i like drama but 280pages of it was a stretch.

Although have to mention that most interrogations outlined by the book regarding art making are still surprisingly actual (only from what i see ofc),,,,, we are static!!

[Peaches Dienstag · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an authentic account of the rise of contemporary art in the 1970s and 1980s. At its center is the anti-hero Jack Goldstein who was a promising star of his generation who never fulfilled his potential. I love that this book is narrated from the perspective of Jack and many other artists of the era. It tells a tale of how they struggled with their inner creativity and the outside pressures of the art world as it became increasingly institutionalized. It is also incredibly chilling that Jack committed suicide 2 weeks after the final manuscript of the book was completed.

[sharber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8

this isn't a story about a mafia.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

personal accounts of historical moments are always so fabulously juicy, the tabloid version of things we are too high brow or low brow to admit wanting. read this to find out all about jack goldstein's drug addiction! his torrid relationships! and the art-theory puppy mill at CalArts!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most truthful, telling book about the inner workings of the art world that I've ever read. It moves between the recollections of Goldstein's peers and the artist's description of his rise and fall. I hear that this is hard to find, out of print, so definitely keep an eye out.

[Tosh]

A book that is much talked about but never seen. Almost an Urban Myth than book. Every art dealer from NY asks me about this book, and one can barely see its history of being printed. It is supposed to be the ultimate inside view of 80's Art.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

...read this straight through. Who doesn't like a little gossip and inspiration tease now and then.