Tara Donovan

by Tara Donovan, Lawrence Weschler (Contributor), Nicholas Baume (Contributor)

Artist Tara Donovan uses commonplace consumer materials - toothpicks, tape, pencils, buttons, paper plates, and the like - to create her dazzling sculptural installations. Often biomorphic or topographical in character, her large-scale abstract works utilize systematic arrangements of thousands or even millions of units. Visually evocative and perceptually seductive, her pieces are at once organic and highly structured. Donovan has been recognized for her commitment to process and her ability to discover how the inherent physical characteristics of an object might allow it to be transformed into art. Published in conjunction with a major solo exhibition at the Institute for Contemporary Art/Boston, this book is the first to document Donovan's complete oeuvre, from her beginnings working in ink to her most recent pieces. Among the many works shown are Untitled (Plastic Cups), a 50-by-60-foot landscape of plastic cups; Haze, a 42-foot-long wall of over two million clear plastic drinking straws stacked like wood; and her three 40-inch cubes, one of steel pins, one of toothpicks, and one of shattered glass. An in-depth conversation between Donovan and Lawrence Weschler traces the artist's schooling, early career, and current work.

Genres: Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful demonstration of Donovan's phenomenal work. The photographs are great in the way that it shows each piece as an installation shot and gradual moves into detail shots that allow the viewer to realize the everyday materials Donovan used.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a monograph of the artist Tara Donovan. Her work is so hard to describe to people, but these photos really convey their essence. There's a nice interview with Donovan included.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful.