Book Description
Renowned throughout the world as purveyors of beauty, mystery, and allure, geisha have come to represent the epitome of Japanese elegance and chic. The rich 250-year history of these performance artists is vividly presented in this volume, taking the reader behind the masklike makeup and into the studios where they train and rehearse and the teahouses where they entertain.
Geisha have altered definitions of feminine beauty and identity and are the prevailing icons of Japanese womanhood. Their influence on Japan's decorative arts is documented by their beautiful kimono and hair ornaments and by the musical instruments and fans they use in their performances. The contributors to this book, all prominent specialists on Japanese culture, each consider a particular aspect of geisha tradition and aesthetics, from their music and dance to misperceptions of the profession by foreigners, from the portrayal of geisha as recurring characters in theater and film to profiles of talented women who choose this life and work today. Illustrated with woodblock prints and paintings as well as historical and contemporary photographs, this groundbreaking study also explores the dynamic tension between image and reality in the art of these exquisite entertainers.
Geisha: Beyond the Painted Smile is a comprehensive presentation of geisha culture from its origins nearly three centuries ago to contemporary Japan. Disciplined performance artists of supreme grace and beauty, geisha are unique ambassadors of Japan's traditional culture. 158 color illustrations and photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent graphics and essays.......2006-10-14
A beautiful book, this volume offers an excellent introduction to geisha traditions in Japan and fascination with "geisha girls" abroad.
Over two hundred years of these performance artists is revealed in a survey of geisha training, rehearsing, and entertainment.......2006-05-20
The geisha have long represented Japanese elegance and chic and have been popularized by the recent best-selling book and movie MAKING OF A GEISHA: for further insights on their history choose the lovely visual and historical pairing in GEISHA: BEYOND THE PAINTED SMILE. Over two hundred years of these performance artists is revealed in a survey of geisha training, rehearsing, and entertainment. Chapters hold fine essay contributions by prominent specialists on Japanese culture who each consider a different aspect of the geisha tradition. Add woodblocks and paintings in color from the Peabody Museum's holdings and you have a fine survey indeed.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
Geisha: Many Points of View.......2004-10-05
This is another coffee-table-crusher book on the subject of geisha; this particular work was put out by the Peabody Essex Museum to accompany an exhibit there. It is composed of a blend of elements, but they flow together fairly seamlessly.
There are a number of contributing authors, including the show's curator Andrew Maske as well as familiar names such as Liza Dably, Arthur Golden and Lesley Downer; they address different aspects of the geisha world, such as why geisha even exist, how western stereotypes and misunderstandings developed, the aspects of geisha exoticism and style and more.
There are numerous photographs (from very early to modern, in black and white, color and tinted sepia). The photos are not only of geisha, then and now, but they also focus on kimono (sometimes accompanied with a picture of the geisha to whom it belonged clad in it), hair ornaments and accessories, even something as small as a netsuke kimono toggle. Like the details of a finely carved netsuke, the details of this book make it clear that someone took great care with the construction and preparation of this piece.
The book also holds the most extensive amassment of woodcut pictures that I've seen in one place on this subject, and the captions are very descriptive and useful (I suppose they correspond with the explanatory cards that one would see beside an art piece on the wall of a museum).
There is also a section featuring photos from Yoko Yamamoto, whose artistic yet modern photographic sensibility lends a unique flavor to the collection. Having spent two decades in Tokyo's Kagurazaka district, she has the privelege of intimacy with her subjects that the average photographer does not; coupled with her artistry, her photographs are very meaningful for this collection.
Even if you go into this book knowing a lot about this subject, the text will still enlighten you. The blend of experiences and viewpoints of the multiple contributors adds depth, and again the research that has gone in for the sake of the exhibit is evident.
I wish I could have seen this exhibit, but lacking that, I can enjoy this beautiful book. If you take an interest in the subject, I believe you will enjoy it as well.
Average customer rating:
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Black and White - A Manual of Illustration - Wash and Line Drawing
Steven Spurrier
Manufacturer: Home Farm Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Drawing
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Pen & Ink
| Drawing
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1406799793 |
Book Description
Originally published in the early 1900s. Contents Include : Wash Drawing - Introductory - History of Wash Drawing - Materials For Wash Drawing - Process of Reproduction - Methods - Line Drawing - History of Line Drawing - Materials for Line Drawing - Method of Making a Line Drawing - Conclusion. Well illustrated with explanatory artwork. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Book Description
From graphite pencils and charcoals to soft pastels and crayons the art of drawing encompasses a variety of mediums and techniques all of which are comprehensively covered in this beautiful book.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent !!.......2007-01-05
I love the book, The explanations are very clear and the projects proposed are interesting and helpful. Even for someone who does not use watercolors as the main media, the book is an outstanding resourse.
Book Description
America On Line owns Americaonlies.com and Americaonlies.net. Guess they don't want anyone knowing the truth. Don't let them brain wash you or your children anymore. This personal computer craze is just as bad as drugs and alcohol. It is a terrible addiction that has taken hold of America. It is not reality though. Hiding behind a computer monitor in a fantasized, illusional state. Americaonlies.org will tell you the truth. Cancel your AOL account and don't let them steal any more of your precious time. Start spending more quality time, "In Person" with your family and friends. Not sitting behind a computer monitor emailing your life away.
Average customer rating:
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Art Techniques for Line & Wash
Paul Taggart
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 140270237X |
Book Description
Adding a wash of color to a simple scribble is the first step for budding artists—and this comprehensive series of exercises and studies shows how to exploit this technique. The Artstrips set out the methods in detail, while the demonstration studies, sketches, and finished compositions provide inspiring starting points from which would-be painters move forward on their path to discovering the delights of painting.
Average customer rating:
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Line & Wash: Art Techniques From Pencil To Paint
Paul Taggart
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 140270223X |
Book Description
Adding a wash of color to a simple scribble is the first step for budding artists--and this comprehensive series of exercises and studies shows how to utilize this technique with media at any artist's disposal. The author's unique Artstrips--a series of artwork providing detailed instruction--set out the methods in detail, while the demonstration studies, sketches, and finished compositions provide inspiring starting points to help would-be painters move forward on their path to discovering the delights of painting. This professional artist's tips on a wide array of materials and their use, along with the basics of color mixing, show how successful results can be easily achieved across a range of subjects to suit every taste, whether landscapes or figures, flowers or buildings. Even those who already paint will discover new ideas to help them further develop their painting abilities, whether investigating other media such as watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, inks, and gouache, or in manipulating familiar painting tools in a completely different way.
Book Description
Merge soft luminous washes with the markings of penwork. Each painting process is illustrated with step-by-steps. Includes gallery of finished works. This book will encourage painters.
Customer Reviews:
Line and wash.......2000-11-08
This book gives a thorough, clear, straightforward description of the line and wash watercolor technique. It gives advice in a relaxed manner, very well suited for hobby watercolorists like myself.
Customer Reviews:
erotic disappointment.......2005-04-08
Some photographers think what's erotic is what's hidden and left to the imagination. Two Thirds of the pictures in this book are fig leafed with shadows or clothing, leaving plenty to the imagination. Think of playboy magazine in the 1950's or Vogue or Madamoselle magazine today. Many of these are stylistic, but not very erotic. One in three of the photos in the book are erotic, not afraid of nudity. Don't make the investment in this book if you want high level eroticism. Instead get "Shaven Angels", "Natural Beauties", "100 Naked Girls", or "Crazy,Sexy Girls".
"Erotique..." is erotic, splendidly has name photographers.........2005-03-03
"Erotique..." by Rod Ashford, NY, Thunder's Mouth Press, 1998 - ISBN 1-56025-168-9 (pbk), 9 in. x 11 in., 224 pg.
"Erotique" is splendidly published, large format printing (Spain)
of 198 photographs, mostly B/W, c. 1/4 in color & some hand-tint & sepias. Photos are divided into time periods: Historical, 1950-1979, 1980's, & 1990's (50%). Author has 13 pg. intoduction on erotic images, erotic content, medium of photography, & social impact. The book is not pornographic.
The dominant erotic theme: nudity using more or less contrived backgrounds to afford motif: -- 56 photos spiked heels, 35 chains, leathers, latex or whips, 16 were couples, 12 cuffs or writs restraints, 4 male companion, 4 spankings, & 2 sex toys. So...talisman & fetishism are part of "Erotique" & it merges with "Fetish" art portfolios.
Of the many photographers here, my favorites are: Rod Ashford, David Penprase, John Swannell, Gunter Blum, Charles Roff, Monika Robl, Thomas Karsten, David Hamilton. This is a good book for the coffee table.
Erotica Through the Ages........2003-02-17
This book is a fine representation of erotica through the ages with examples from portfolios of great photographers. This is a great anthology of primitive to the modern world of glamour/erotic photography.
70 / 30.......2001-08-31
Some are really masterpieces; others are just... casual photos with high quality.
Maybe is a good idea just buy the 70% of the book
---
Algunas si son unas verdaderas obras de arte; otras son solo... fotos casuales de calidad
Tal vez sea mejor solo comprar el 70% del libro
Disappointing content, nice pics.......2000-08-07
Okay. It's a book with naked women. Some of the pictures are nicely arranged, but most are just the usual vanilla pornography -- and I still don't quite get why it is that the bondage theme is so universally considered erotic. Seems like fully 25% of the pics in this book are devoted to bondage or lesbian bondage. I'd much rather just see nice bodies in interesting poses. [...]
Book Description
This penultimate work in John Lent's series of bibliographies on comic art gathers together an astounding array of citations on American cartoonists and their work. Author John Lent has used all manner of methods to gather the citations, searching library and online databases, contacting scholars and other professionals, attending conferences and festivals, and scanning hundreds of periodicals. He has gone to great length to categorize the citations in an easy-to-use, scholarly fashion, and in the process, has helped to establish the field of comic art as an important part of social science and humanities research. The ten volumes in this series, covering all regions of the world, constitute the largest printed bibliography of comic art in the world, and serve as the beacon guiding the burgeoning fields of animation, comics, and cartooning. They are the definitive works on comic art research, and are exhaustive in their inclusiveness, covering all types of publications (academic, trade, popular, fan, etc.) from all over the world. Also included in these books are citations to systematically-researched academic exercises, as well as more ephemeral sources such as fanzines, press articles, and fugitive materials (conference papers, unpublished documents, etc.), attesting to Lent's belief that all pieces of information are vital in a new field of study such as comic art.
Book Description
A gorgeously designed digital manifesto that understands how evolving technology can revitalise 'cinematic' storytelling Empire
The End of Celluloid is a book that will change the way you see film. Arguing that filmmaking is being superseded by a spectrum of moving image, it extends the range of what we think of as filmmaking. It explores the latest in digital film and new forms of 'advanced moving image', highlighting the most exciting and innovative examples of this entertainment.
It includes commentary on highly regarded filmmakers and those starting to make an impact who are influencing this next generation of filmmaking. The book presents an insight into these new styles infiltrating the mainstream, taking in film, animation, FMV and machinima (computer gaming animations), digital tv, pop promos, websites, PDA and PVP devices.
Unlike other books that look at these singular areas,
The End of Celluloid joins the dots between these disciplines, offering visual cues and stimulation, with authoritative commentary suggesting directions for future and possible evolutionary paths.
Moving imagemakers from all disciplines are redefining the rules of film.
The End of Celluloid features works by artists including: Jonas Åkerlund (Spun), Matthew Barney (The Cremaster Cycle), Danny Boyle (28 Days Later), Chris Cunningham (Flex, Windowlicker), Mike Figgis (Hotel, Timecode), Grant Gee (Meeting People is Easy), Peter Greenaway (The Tulse Luper Suitcases), Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid series), David Lynch (Rabbits, The Third Place), Koji Morimoto (Noiseman Sound Insect), Hideo Nakata (Ringu), Marc Evans (My Little Eye), Mamoru Oshii (Avalon), Bill Viola (The Greeting, The Passions), Andy & Larry Wachowski (Animatrix, Enter the Matrix, The Matrix trilogy)
Visit www.endofcelluloid.com
Customer Reviews:
Well written and illustrated survey of the future of film..........2006-01-02
With the recent slump in the box office receipts, Matt Hanson's book is highly poignant. In it, the author surveys various film-makers on the cutting edge of experimentation as they try to redefine and push the boundaries of the artform. The likes of Matthew Barney and Koji Morimoto (of the Akira fame) receive their dues. Furthermore, Hanson also pays particular attention to how the evolution of the latest video games are influencing the film media as the line between games and films blurs.
I highly recommend this book along with Hanson's more recently published book "Sci-fi Cityscapes". Matt Hanson is an eloquent writer with razor sharp power of observation. I find his book very satisfying to read because of both his practical informative and philosophical style of writing, not to mention the wealth of illustrations that fill his books.
Book Description
Over 130 Cat Stevens songs specially arranged from the actual recordings in the original keys.
Includes: Can't Keep It In, Come On And Dance, Doves, Hard Headed Woman, Moonshadow, Peace Train, Silent Sunlight, Wild World, and many more favorites.
Customer Reviews:
I'm Playing Cat Steven's Songs!.......2007-02-01
I Love listening to Angelsea, I never knew I could play it too. This book gives the intermediate player the tools to pick up and play nearly all of Cat Steven's songs. What a treat. You even get insight into how he arranges and makes up his music. This book is better than just listening to Cat Steven's music on CD or record. The chords and notes are faithful to the original too, thankfully.
Book Description
This entertaining text is essential for anyone interested in game theory. Only a basic understanding of arithmetic is needed to grasp the necessary aspects of
strategy games for two, three, four, and more players that feature two or more sets of inimical interests and a limitless array of zero-sum payoffs.
Customer Reviews:
Dated and Quirky -- not best intro.......2007-07-21
It's cheap, it's a classic, and it's got a sense of humor. These would
seem good reasons to choose this as your intro to game theory.
On the other hand, it's dated, the elaborate writing style can
get tiring, and most importantly the ideas are not communicated
very well. For example, there's quite a bit of focus at
the beginning on the formalism itself (the payoff matrix),
instead of tying to applications and intuition.
I highly recommend Philip Straffin's book on game theory as an
alternative. My son and I were reading The Compleat Strategyst
together and he found it a turn-off. We switched to Straffin's
book and are both enjoying it. The pedagogy is excellent, the
writing is clear, and there are many examples and exercises.
It not only gets the ideas across better -- it is also more
precise, with many explicit definitions, theorems, and proofs.
Game Theory and Strategy (New Mathematical Library)
Beware!.......2007-07-11
Warning: This book only tells you how to solve game theory problems, NOT WHY the solutions work! So you actually aren't truly learning game theory at all. It's really more an answer key than a primer on game theory. If that's what you want, fine, but if you're looking for an initial step on the road to UNDERSTANDING game theory, look elsewhere.
Games People Play.......2007-06-10
Funny thing about words: depending on context, they can evoke quite different moods. Take, for example, "matrix": when referring to a certain movie with Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss, most people react favorably. Used, however, when discussing mathematics, and the majority will feel something different, perhaps akin to fear and repulsion. On the one hand, this is understandable; working with matrices can be tedious grunt work with little of the theoretical beauty that much of math offers; on the other hand, it is the heart and soul of one particularly interesting branch, game theory.
J.D. Williams's The Compleat Strategyst is an introduction to game theory and by the end of the volume you will see your fair share of matrices, but this should not be overly intimidating. Williams knows that they can be unwieldy and does his best to simplify matters. But first, he introduces us to game theory itself.
Essentially, game theory is a mathematical method for calculating strategies. In most games, the theory will be too overly simple, but it does offer a lot of insights with practical implications in fields such as economics (for example, John Nash of "A Beautiful Mind" won his Nobel Prize for work in this field). The classic illustration, not really discussed in this book, involves the Prisoner's Dilemma: two men are held for a crime. If neither confesses, both go free; if only one confesses, he gets a light sentence and the other gets a heavy one; if both confess, they each get a medium sentence. What should the prisoner's strategy be? Silence can result in the best payout (freedom), but also the worst if the other prisoner confesses. Confession guarantees a sentence, but at worst, it will not be as bad as the one that can result from silence.
So what is the best strategy? Generally, if both prisoners act rationally, they will take the choice that results with the least "bad" result: That would mean confession, which at worst, results in a medium sentence (which is better than the long sentence that silence could lead to). Of course, things can work out differently in the real world.
In many games (though not the Prisoner's Dilemma), the player gets to play multiple times, in which case, the best strategy can actually be a mix of various strategies. The laying out of these various strategies and the various payouts is in the form of a matrix, a square or rectangular grid of numbers, with each row representing a strategy of player A and each column one for player B.
Even if this seems a little bewildering, Williams does a good job at explaining it, lacing his examples with plenty of humor (which I actually found only mildly funny, but it does lighten the prose). But no matter how good the writing is, eventually, the complexity of matrices can get overwhelming. It is here that one of the weaknesses of the book shows: due to its age (this edition was written in 1966), the use of computers is virtually ignored, although they could be very useful: the work here uses algorithms that can be reproduced easily on a computer. Then again, maybe it's more important to know the mechanics of game theory rather than relying on a computer.
Most of the math in this book is basic addition and multiplication, so if you're patient enough, you can learn this material even if you're not mathematically inclined. And even if you don't want to learn the more complex methods (or do the sample exercises), you can still get a lot of good insight from this book. The Compleat Strategyst may not help you win many games - at least directly - but it will give you an opportunity to think about them in a new manner.
Good but hasn't changed.......2007-04-04
I had the original 1954 edition. I thought that this new edition of the book may have been updated in the intervening 28 years. Nope. Not at all. Same exact book only with a different cover.
Witty Intro to Game Theory and Zero-sum Games.......2005-06-10
I share the feedback of the other reviewers in that this book is extremely fun to read, very well-written and comprehensively covers (thoroughly teaches the so inclined) a few aspects of game theory. The drawback is that it limits itself, consciously it seems, to zero-sum games played between two players. So after reading this book, you have no excuse for not being able to solve any such games. The narrative, the examples and the exercises take care of this. However, you will learn near nothing about non-zero-sum games, which are in actuality more life-like (hence a probable reason for the complaint of one reviewer who wants more real examples).
Nevertheless, this book is extremely well-written, and truly accomplishes what it aims: giving the reader an appreciation of the basis of game theory and teaching them to solve zero-sum games. And quite a many witty jokes come in extra!
Average customer rating:
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Community Radio In Bolivia: The Miners' Radio Station
Manufacturer: Edwin Mellen Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General Broadcasting
| Radio
| Entertainment
| Subjects
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History & Criticism
| Radio
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Bolivia
| South America
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Radio & Wireless
| Telecommunications
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
History of Technology
| Technology
| Science
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| Books
General
| Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
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General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
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All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0773463925 |
Books:
- Graphis Poster 2005 (Graphis Poster Annual)
- Historia De Una Escalera Las Meninas (Literatura)
- Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up
- How to Draw Insects (How to Draw (Dover))
- How to Make Money As an Artist: The 7 Winning Strategies of Successful Fine Artists
- I NY: New York Street Art
- Impressionist Still Life
- Integrating the Arts Across the Elementary School Curriculum
- Jacques-Louis David: Empire to Exile
- Kiki's Paris: Artist and Lovers 1900-1930
Books Index
Books Home
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- Needled to Death
Geisha: The Life, the Voices, the Art
Geisha
Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha
The Secret Life of Geisha
Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower & Willow World
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