American Art Since 1945

World of Art

by David Joselit

No other introductory book presents the diversity and complexity of postwar American art from Abstract Expressionism to the present as clearly and succinctly as this groundbreaking survey. David Joselit traces and analyzes the contradictory formal, ideological, and political conditions during this period that made American art predominant throughout the world. Social and cultural transformations rooted in mass media technologies―photography, television, video, and the Internet―elevated consumer commodities to the status of legitimate art subjects, as in pop and installation art, and also brought about a mechanization of the creative act. Canonical movements and figures are discussed at length―Pollock, Rothko, Krasner, Oldenburg, Johns, Warhol, Paik, Ruscha, Sherman, Schnabel, Koons, Barney, and others―in juxtaposition with lesser known contemporary artists and practices. 183 illustrations, 80 in color

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

David Joselit is an American art historian who is currently Professor of Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University, and also a published author, including being an editor of October.

Reviews

[Tram Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was supposed to be my rented text book for an Art history class, but I ended up keeping it with a thought that I might need it later. And yet I was right, I am reading this again for my Capstone thesis class and I am so grateful for this book. It covers thoroughly the most important artworks during the Contemporary and Modern eras, which are still relevant nowadays. I found myself recognizing a lot of works while I am in the museums in California and New York thanks to this book as well. Also, this book is a huge inspiration for new artists like me. My final project is based on the concoction of the ideas of Joseph Kosuth, Sol Lewitt, Yoko Ono and Hana Wilke. I hope I could deliver the message as welly done as how these artists did with theirs. 5*/5*

[David C Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful survey. Begins with a quick summary of AbEx and then cruises through Rauschenberg, John’s et al to get to the main focus which is conceptual art in which mass, commercial media has basically swamped the art object. The work of art disappears into the artist which has wider ramifications which are not explored here.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice treatment of a pretty broad subject, if a bit academically inclined. Understanding a period of art history benefits from multiple sources and overlapping passes. Churn it until you learn it. Take what you like and leave the rest for others. I will revisit this one.

[HeyT · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Joselit gives a somewhat nice survey of American Art since 1945. I think it was organized well by movement in a mostly chronological way. My main complaint is that it is a little bit too cerebral and dense.