Nine Lives: The Birth of Avant-Garde Art in New China

Average customer rating:

Vasari revisisted

A profusely illustrated, 453-page, in-depth mapping of the history of modern or avant-garde art in China

Nine Lives: The Birth of Avant-Garde Art in New China
Karen Smith
Manufacturer: Scalo Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Asian | Regional | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Contemporary Art | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | China | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 3039390368

Book Description

In the early 1990s, the idea of contemporary art in China simply did not compute to a foreign audience. But in 1993, ten contemporary Chinese artists debuted at the 48th Venice Biennale. They were immediately hailed as progenitors of a Chinese „avant-garde." Their brightly colored, Pop Art-inspired paintings played with socialist motifs, parodied Mao, and gave a visual expression to the feelings of disaffected Chinese youth. They were everything western audiences expected of contemporary art from the People`s Republic of China. But a number of critics were rather guarded in their opinions. Was this another flash-in-the-pan phenomenon just as Soviet art had been in the 1980s? Could a Chinese avant-garde maintain a distinct identity of its own and shake off its penchant for imitation? The answer is clearly „yes." The emergence of a market for their art transformed the lives of these avant-garde pioneers from rags to riches, from outcast to hero, from social pariah to cutting-edge cool in a Chinese society adapting to a new era. They did not change but China has changed. The ideology they once had to fight now propagates a cultural climate of laissez-faire that is tantamount to encouragement. Set against China's official program of modernization, Nine Lives paints a compelling picture of artists working beyond the pale of official culture, who started a new cultural revolution that is sweeping China today.

Nine Lives introduces nine artists (Wang Guangyi, Geng Jianyi, Fang Lijun, Gu Dexin, Li Shan, Zhang Xiaogang, Xu Bing, Zhang Peili, and Wang Jianwei), their personal histories and views on China today. Karen Smith`s highly accessible introduction to an emerging art scene in a society unknown to most of us makes good reading not only for art-world insiders, but for anyone curious about recent history and its effect on the booming Chinese society. The book opens with a glossary for readers unfamiliar with Chinese history and culture, and a time line placing each of the nine artists within the context of the Chinese art world and political history.Karen Smith was born in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. She graduated from Wimbledon Art School in 1987 with a BA in fine art. A year later, she moved to Asia, settling in China in 1993, curious to explore its practically unchartered art scene. She calls Beijing her home, and is one of the foremost authorities on China's contemporary art scene, both in China and abroad.

Customer Reviews:

Vasari revisisted.......2007-01-15

A biographical sketch in the style of Vasari's portraits of renaissance artists. With many interesting details on Chinese contemporary art. However the selection of the nine artists seems random. Also the status of artists in China as intellectuals is not really worked out. Often the biography is sketchy . The description of the various movements like the Pond Association could have been more detailed.
In summary a good book, and good reading but a far cry away from a scholarly in depth analysis of Chinese Avantgarde art.In that respect Martina Koeppel Yang's Semiotic WArfare is still t h e work of reference.

A profusely illustrated, 453-page, in-depth mapping of the history of modern or avant-garde art in China.......2006-06-05

Nine Lives: The Birth Of Avant-Garde Art In New China by Karen Smith (an acknowledged expert in avant-garde art and art history) is a profusely illustrated, 453-page, in-depth mapping of the history of modern or avant-garde art in China since around 1993 to the present. Providing readers with a detailed and historically accurate depiction of the progression of contemporary art and artistic cultural diversity in mainland China, Nine Lives impressively compiles and references the paintings, photography, visual and dimensional arts, all within the framework of a clear and concise history of China's social and political culture, ultimately resulting in an the unexpected transition to contemporary art. A seminal work of impressive scholarship and a core addition to academic library Art History reference collections, Nine Lives is very recommended and rewarding reading, especially for students of Chinese culture and modern societal landmarks as reflected through Chinese art, politics, social activism, and modern artistic symbolism.

Book Description

Anyone observing the awe-inspiring sight of an eclipse will want to capture it on film for posterity. Eclipse '99: Capture It on Film provides the practical advice to capture a solar eclipse on film, covering topics from eye safety to suitable films. Whether the observer is using a "fun" camera or sophisticated equipment, this accessible book illustrates what can be achieved. By carefully following the advice of the experienced astrophotographer author, it is possible to observe and take photographs safely, leaving you with a pictorial record that will last a lifetime.

Book Description

The origins of motion picture technologies are described and analyzed by Charles Musser in this lavishly illustrated volume. He considers social and economic as well as aesthetic aspects of the beginnings of movie making.

Customer Reviews:

Film students: read this series.......2001-12-26

This is an excellent, comprehensive and well-written analysis of the early cinema. It is written including views of the study of film history as well as numerous concrete examples of films for every point made by the author.

Even if you're not a film student, check out this book. It's so well written that one can easily fall into the interesting history of an emerging art form and industry. The origins of cinema reach far back into the 17th century and, considering the enormous impact that film has on everyone's life, the origins of this most important art form of the past century are vitally important to you.

Scholarly and detailed history.......1997-10-04

The Emergence of Cinema chronicles the very earliest history of cinema with focus on the development of film in America. It begins with the earliest technology of picture projection, and explores with great thoroughness each development in the technology and business of film. It is wonderfully illustrated, and clearly written, so that even the casual student of film history will not be confused or bored. This is a work whose peer I have never seen. If the rest of the series keeps up with the quality here, it will be basic to any film library. Perhaps the depth here will be to great for the truly casual reader; hardly any films here will find their way onto video.

The Emergence of Cinema: The American Screen to 1907

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The Emergence of Cinema: The American Screen to 1907
Charles Musser
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1YT7Y

Book Description

This authoritative study of the French classical organ is a major source for the interpretation of early French organ music. For this new edition, the author has added a chapter on touch in early French organs and its importance for practice. The bibliography has also been extensively revised.

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Solid Chess Book

Great introductory guide

An Excellent Primer on Chess

Cured Me Of My Fear Of Chess

A Mini Encyclopedia.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess, Third Edition
Patrick Wolff
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Chess | Board Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1592573169
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Book Description

Don't make a move without it.

Written by a U.S. Chess Champion, International Chess Grandmaster, and longtime instructor, this book includes information for both novice and expert, including over 400 illustrated chessboards and photos; over 20 pages of detailed answer key notes; a completely new chapter on new evidence about chess and its impact on brain power; a guide to the art of chess collectibles; and more.

• Foreword by Larry Evans, former International Grandmaster and author of 20 highly acclaimed chess books and a popular monthly advice column in Chess Life

• Strong sales for previous editions
• For the beginner or the champ, and for young and old
• Author has a high profile in the chess community

Download Description

Patrick Wolff, the current US Chess Champion and International Grandmaster, teaches readers quick and easy strategies for learning chess basics. From essential information on basic openings and basic endgames to tips on reading your rival's moves, readers will be armed and ready to take on their next opponents.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Chess Book.......2007-08-17

I learned a lot in this and there were a lot of diagrams for visual learners.

Great introductory guide.......2007-08-10

Concisely written that slowly guides players who want to gain a better understanding of how to strategically play (or better yet, at least have a chance vs. more knowledgeable players). Well layed out. One can ease through the text as the information is presented at a liesurely yet practical pace. Refreshing and not overbearing.

An Excellent Primer on Chess.......2007-07-28

Primers on chess are notoriously poor, since many mediocre players (e.g., Pandolfini) consider themselves qualified to write them, and some cynics (e.g., Schiller) churn out primer after primer on the assumption their victims lack the skill to realize how bad they are. There are, however, exceptions: primers by strong players which respect the reader, such Capablanca's and Purdy's. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" is such a book. The writer (a stronger player than Schiller or Pandolfini can ever hope to be) does not repeat others, but gives thought to what beginners REALLY need to know--and it shows.

He deals respectfully with the history of chess, giving important facts without (false) "fun" anecdotes about the "insanity" of champion X. Even his "why play chess at all?" section is fresh, without any waffle about the "beauty of the immortal game of chess": chess is a fair game where opponents on all levels are easy to find, and it is never boring. THAT is what beginners need to know. The same care is seen in the choice and presentation of the technical material. For example, Wolff deals with space and weak squares, crucial to those who want to become decent chess players, but which most primers simply ignore.

It is no insult to Capablanca's or Purdy's classic primers to say that, finally, a better book for beginners had arrived. Like those primers, it is a book by a very strong player who gave much thought to what beginners really need to know. But it also brings the reader up-to-date on issues (computer chess especially, but also more recent chess history) that the earlier books, of course, couldn't deal with.

Highly recommended.

Cured Me Of My Fear Of Chess.......2007-06-07

I've always had a fascination with chess and wanted to learn how to play for many years. My only problem and I think the problem of many other people was a fear or intimidation of the game. I was under the impression that you had to be of superior intellect to learn the game and always stayed away from learning anything about chess. I finally decided to learn about the game and read several books to try to help me learn and understand more about this great game.

Of all the books that I have read, this book has helped me the most. The rules and fundamentals of the game were explained in a manner that the chess novice could understand with diagrams included to allow you to visually see what was being explained to you. After only reading the first three chapters I was playing games of chess with friends and against my computer and actually winning a few games. I never thought I would actually be playing a game of chess but now I find it's my favorite hobby. I recommend this to anyone who has always wanted to play chess but felt that they weren't cut out for the game. You'll learn easily and find yourself playing chess in no time.

A Mini Encyclopedia. .......2007-03-19

At a rather advanced age, I have decided to learn chess, but I need a lot of help so I bought The Complete Idiot's Guide. Here I uncovered an unbelievable amount of information. It answered just about every question that I had, although it did take a bit of effort. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it could have been organized better because I didn't want to wait 150+ pages to find out what was recommended for the opening. Call me a traditionalist, but I would have preferred to read about the opening at the start of the book. Wolff certainly did a good job of explaining the intricacies of chess though. The examples he includes (shown as pictures of games from famous matches) are very helpful and improved its educability. One could visualize exactly what it was he was talking about via the aide of example boards. For me the book was a good investment towards becoming an average player.

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