In the Making: Creative Options for Contemporary Art History Classes/Creative Options for Studio Art Classes

by Linda Weintraub

In the Making is a compelling read and the ideal launchpad for anyone wanting to understand all the essential, but sometimes elusive, aspects of art-making in the 21st century.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History

60 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2003

Reviews

[Shannon Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, unlike some of my more ridgedly minded classmates. It includes articles on 41 contemporary artists and their processes. There are six sections: Scoping an Audience, Sourcing Inspiration, Crafting an Artistic Self, Expressing an Artistic Attitude, Choosing a Mission, and Measuring Success. This book helped me to more clearly see the purpose and possibilities of art and that an artist is not limited to self-expression and superfluousness.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. The most interesting parts for me were the interviews; living artists discuss the economic and social choices and consequences of art-making in 2003. This information feels freshly revealed.

The essays vary, though. I was hoping for critical and contextual writings and was disappointed with how isolated each essay is in the context of the book, and how isolated each artist is presented as being. This made me occasionally distrustful of Weintraub's information and insights, since it is obvious that each artist is working in a specific context with specific histories informing their work and this is never addressed. Why?

[Ori Fienberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for uber-hipster-poser-art-school-wannabes! But seriously, if you think the Guggenheim (any of them) have contemporary/edgy art, you should check this book out.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book on contemporary artists. A wonderful intro to the current art world.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most impressive collections of writings about contemporary art I have read to date.

[Bethany]

ah, art school. i actually read all of my art school text books, still have them, and still use them. this is one of the more useful books i own.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Variety of artists, but getting a little out of date.

[Megan Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never get rid of this book. I have it from undergrad. It reminds me, among many things, the purposes for creating.