The Sleep of Reason: Primitivism in Modern European Art and Aesthetics

Book Description

A comprehensive revision of our understanding of primitivism and its impact on modern art, centering on the invention of the idea of “primitive” art.

"Concentrating on the development of the intellectual concept of primitivism in thought and art, this study adds much to the discourse on the meaning of modernism—e.g., in its usage by art or architectural historians—and of the avant-garde. . . . It is a valuable addition to the literature stemming from R. Goldwater's Primitivism in Modern Painting (1938) and extending to the controversial Museum of Modern Art's New York exhibition “Primitivism in Twentieth-Century Art” (1984). —Choice

"Connelly's study is much needed and deserves a place in the literature of modernist primitivism. The Sleep of Reason will undoubtedly inspire further research into a field that has itself suffered from neglect on the periphery of academic scholarship."—Studies in the Decorative Arts

Art historians have in the past narrowly defined primitivism, limiting their inquiry to examples of direct stylistic borrowing from African, Oceanic, or Native American imagery. The drawbacks of such an approach have become increasingly apparent, the most problematic being its perpetuation of the notion that certain traditions are indeed “primitive.” Frances Connelly argues that “primitive” art was not a style at all but a cultural construction by modern Europeans, a cluster of concepts principally forged during the Enlightenment concerning the nature of the origins of artistic expression. She contends that, instead of the paintings of Gauguin, the publication of Vico's New Science in 1725 lies much closer to the origins of primitivism because it first articulated the essential framework of ideas through which Europeans would understand “primitive” expression.

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The Sleep of Reason Primitivism in Modern European Art and Aesthetics
Frances S. Connelly
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQSLCE

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The Sleep of Reason Primitivism in Modern European Art and Aesthetics, 1725-1907
Frances S. Connelly
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORCV6A

Book Description

From ancient Egypt to Ascot, Versailles to the White House lawn, hats have been emblems of style and status, badges of rank and distinction, brilliant signs advertising their wearers. Hatters and milliners from Borsalino to Stephen Jones have competed to produce the definitive headwear, and hats in all shapes and sizes have been raised to heights of sophistication that reflect an unending obsession with this unique adornment. Colin McDowell, doyen of style and author of the acclaimed Shoes: Fashion and Fantasy, makes the definitive statement on hats. He displays the hat as symbol of authority in its many guises; and considers the fabulous skills of the hatmaker and the sometimes bizarre uses to which hats have been put in show business and sport. Glamorous and stylish as they often are, hats are also rich with significance for the societies that create them. This sparkling guide captures a fascinating subject from every angle, to dazzle and delight fashion historians, designers, and anyone with a taste for poise, elegance, and fun.

Customer Reviews:

Best Of This Type Hat Book.......2005-12-12

This coffee table size and style book reviews its subject by hat style. Big photographs and good illustrations take the reader through a brief history of tophats, boaters, bowlers, ballcaps (the only style that America can lay claim to creating), fezzes, etc. This book is more scholarly than I assumed upon my first impression. I come back to it regularly for information.

A coffee table history of hats.......2004-12-10

There aren't many books about hats, which gives this one an edge. Most of the text in the book deals with history of hats. The history starts to get detailed around 1800. So only about half of what you find in this book applies to hats you might find in a thrift store. In the margins are small period advertisements for hats and depictions of hats from cartoons and simple drawings. Scattered throughout are full page color plates with photos of hats. Half of the text pages are printed on green paper, so the illustrations there would be green and white. It bothers me a little.

The pictures here are nice. They are useful for seeing how a particular style was worn and for trying to determine a bit about when a hat was made. There is also a section on hats today. Consider when this book was published. There is a little too much about Boy George here and how he will bring about a comeback for hats.

All in all this is a nice picture book and history for hats. If you are into that kind of thing then this is fine to look through.

Hats from every angle - in texts and pictures (GREAT!!!).......2001-05-09

For me, this is the most comprehensive book on the subject that is available - and that includes several out-of-print-books as well. The pictures are great, often full-page, mostly in colour. The texts cover every angle of hat history, style, trade, designers, and everything else you can think of. The pictures cover all kinds of hat styles, usually putting traditional or classic shapes in contrast with modern versions or interpretations, there are also pictures of hats by a lot of great designers with a short synopsis on their work and simply wonderful hats. The book is a rare treat for the eyes and a great source of information. Be warned, however, that the subjects are treated usually rather briefly, and not in detail. Turn to other books concentrating on single aspects for that - for an overview, you can't do better than this. I want to point out, however, that the book does NOT deal with the do-it-yourself-creation of hats, and anyone looking for information on hatmaking or millinery instruction has to turn elsewhere. Still, if you're interested in hats and / or millinery, you don't want to miss this book.

A Glance at Fashion and Little More.......2000-04-07

This is a good book for an office environment where you have to sit and wait, and would rather look at pictures than be informed. The first sentence of the chapter 'The Hat and the Hatmaker' quotes Thackeray, "there is a great deal in the building and wearing of hats," but McDowell tells the reader little more about felting than St. Clement supposedly discovered felting by sticking flax in his shoes which "matted the fibres." He explains that beaver was more expensive than rabbit, and rabbit was more expensive than straw. He does not say whether beaver is still used to make hats. There is a lot of information in this book: In the late 19th century top hats were called chimney pots. Pre-World War I "Scale is still important at all social levels and is provided by trims." [in women's hats]. I have selected my examples at random as typical. This kind of information can while away the time in waiting room, but I didn't find it useful. The layout is attractive, and I liked some of the illustrations.

Hats : Five Centuries of Status, Style, and Glamour

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Hats : Five Centuries of Status, Style, and Glamour
Colin McDowell
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KPO1X2

Book Description

My Love. Teen-Age Romance. Love Romance. Picking up a theme? The romance genre spanned nearly half a century, and now Marvel's picked some of its best from the sixities and seventies! "It Happened at Woodstock," "My Heart Broke in Hollywood," "Love on the Rebound!" Featuring Smart Styles and Heavenly Hairdos with Patsy Walker in a pre-Hellcat tale! Collects Love Romance #89 and #101-104; My Love #2, #14, #16 and #18-20; Teen-Age Romance #77 and #84, Our Love Story #5; and Patsy Walker #119.

Customer Reviews:

Do you like groovy girls?.......2007-05-20

I have long been a fan of the clean artwork of John Romita Sr, especially his expert delineation of the female form (Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson being standouts during his legendary Spider-man run), so I was interested enough to flip through this recent Marvel reissue of old romance comics from the 60s and 70s. Boy, am I glad I did! This 176 page volume contains wonderful artwork by Romita in the form of his clean, bold inking to the excellent penciling of the great John Buscema and the underrated Don Heck. Any fan of lovely Romita girls will enjoy Marvel Romance as it contains 4 stories with Romita inking some of the most beautiful woman ever to grace the pages of comics. Another highlight is the Steranko art on "My Heart Broke in Hollywood". This story appears in the Steranko collection, Marvel Visionaries: Steranko, as well. It is a true masterwork of psychedelic design. The hairdos and sexy outfits of the stories from the late 60s and early 70s are great and the more adventurous design and layout styles that had become predominant in comic's Bronze Age adds extra flair to these stories. I can't say I'm as big of a fan of the first half of the book, as these tales come from earlier Marvel romance comics (1960-1964). Although the artwork for these stories is mostly provided by two comics legends that I love, Jack Kirby and Dick Giordano, I prefer their more accomplished later work in the mid-to-late 60s and early 70s. Having said this, the whole book has a fun, campy feel to it that will appeal to anyone who enjoys overwrought melodrama (i.e. Douglas Sirk films). I am now hopelessly hooked on Bronze Age romance comics, I have been tracking down some of the original comics that these stories are reprinted from and I can confirm that the line art and the recoloring found in "Marvel Romance" is excellent. The coloring is bright and vibrant, and very suitable to the fun, campy tone of the stories. And the printing and paper quality is, as expected, much better than what is found in the original comics. I highly recommend this book to any fan of pretty girl art, campy stories, 60s outfits (mini-skirts, headbands and boots!), and Silver and Bronze Age artwork. Groovy!

What a trip.......2006-08-21

Robert J. Petersen's review captured the gist of this book perfectly - no others really need to be written. I will say that this book is certainly not a joke, as romance comics made up a significant amount of sales in the period immediately following the arrival of the comics code authority, so Marvel deserves a pat on the back for bringing an overview of the genre into print. Where Marvel really stumbled is in not providing an introduction to the book, but instead launching straight into the stories. An introduction would have helped put these comics into their proper historical perspective and maybe warranted a 5-star review. Anyway, MARVEL ROMANCE provides the reader with a decent selection of tales that span the years 1960 - 1972. Most are written by smilin' Stan Lee, with great art by Dick Giordano, Jack Kirby, Sol Brodsky, John Buscema, Jim Starlin, Jim Steranko, and Gene Colan. Two very important things can be learned from these stories:

1. Stan Lee's overwrought dialogue for his heroines Sue Storm (Invisible Girl), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), and Janet van Dyne (the Wasp) was developed in stories such as these - see any Marvel Essential!

2. The artists of Marvel's Silver Age had solid artistic skills and were professionals in the truest sense of the word. All of these guys could easily switch gears and fit right in drawing stories featuring not a single cape or flexed bicep. Picture a modern artist like Ed McGuiness or Rob Liefeld trying to do something like this... pretty ridiculous, eh?

So again, thumbs up to Marvel. If nothing else, give this book a shot to strengthen your comics education. Maybe it's corny, maybe the fellas will laugh at you - but you'll know better!

I can't believe how much I liked this.......2006-06-18

I've read thousands of Marvel super-hero comics over the years and wasn't sure if I had much interest in their other genres, especially those that pre-date the introduction of The X-Men, Daredevil, etc. But I picked up Marvel Romance on a lark and cannot believe how much I loved this book.

The stories themselves are incredibly campy and fun. In a weird way, they remind me of reading modern day Grant Morrison stuff. All the characters are slightly 'off', their speech is incredibly formal and the situations totally absurd. Story #1 alone (there are 24 in total) involves the lily-white Diane who states "In the summer Manhattan is a bore...it's too hot, there are few cocktail parties, and the most eligible men are gone!". At a summer resort she meets the also lily-white Jim Scott who authors under the name Norman Taylor. Following a trend soon to be obvious, the story ends with them kissing as she declares to us in voice-over, "His lips sealed our true and lasting love with a kiss!"

Rich, educated and white seems to sum up all the characters in the book. With names like David Hunter, Leslie Mitchell, Scott Bentley and Pete Carter the objects of affection for these women seem to step right out of the young, handsome, rich East Coast mens club. I don't know who read these things originally back in the early 60's but I have a hard time picturing my teenage Mom on a farm in Indiana identifying with these books at all. But maybe that was the point?

All I know is I couldn't stop grinning while I read stories like 'Please Don't Let Me Be a Spinster' which opens with the line "I used to date too, laughing and loving like other girls! But now I walk alone, my yearning embracing only groceries."

This entire book seems like a Roy Lichtenstein exhibition. Ever changing outfits and hair-dos make for a fascinating study of the era. Some of Marvels biggest names in art contribute to this book: Gene Colan, Jack Kirby and John Buscema handle the bulk of the stories. But the absolute highlight is a seven page piece by Jim Steranko. Bringing his pop-art sensibility from Nick Fury over to a romance story set in Hollywood casting this 1970 story written by Stan Lee is simply fantastic.

If you're only into comics for the Biff, Bam, Pow spandex factor this book isn't for you. But if you are interested in a little slice of comic history that's well off the super-hero path (stories like this are the logical precursor to 'real-life' books like Box Office Poison, Jinx and Ghost World a lot more than Batman or The Avengers could ever be) do yourself a big favor and pick this up.

The overall art restoration and book quality are solid. The book comes in at 170 pages of stories and art with the length of each story ranging anywhere from 4 pages to 18, with a norm of about 7. The actual cover art isn't the 'Love Story' reproduction shown by Amazon - it's actually a panel close up of a crying woman from the story entitled "Jilted!" making the Lichtenstein comparison even more obvious. The 'Love Story' cover must have been Marvel's pre-release art for the collection as it's the only cover to actually make it into the book.

For $19.99 I would have expected some or all of the following, none of which are present: an introduction, book covers and a page count closer to 200.

Marvel can get away with this kind of price point for a 175 page collection of 70's Iron Man or Captain America owing to the base of current day readers. But I've got to think that this kind of subject matter is a tough-sell to the fan-boy crowd and without any sort of extras over their other trade collections I can't help but feel that it will be sorely overlooked. Don't miss out.

Book Description

Tired of feeling like "The Ugly American" every time you visit the Vatican? Fed up with having to consult a dictionary when all you want to say is, "I've just been run over by a chariot!"? Well, now you can prepare yourself for almost every papal problem and haphazard happenstance with Which Way to the Vomitorium?: Vernacular Latin for All Occasions.

Enhance your small talk at dinner parties with such gems as "Esne ebrius iterum?" (Are you drunk again?) and "Suntne illi glires novi?" (Are these dormice fresh?). Relive the tedium of traveling by introducing your children to Latin with "Paene adventimus?" (Are we nearly there yet?).

With over 450 phrases and a recipe for "liquamen," Which Way to the Vomitorium? will have you leading that ancient Roman lifestyle in no time, teaching you everything you need to know if you want to properly pontificate with the Pontiff or survive in the Old World neighborhoods of Pompeii.

Customer Reviews:

Ckock full of good fun!.......2001-07-18

This book pokes delightfull fun at phrasebooks, latin, and Roman history and culture. It is chock full of in jokes and is one of the few written texts that has me laughing aloud in the middle of the cafeteria.

A Paucity of Information.......2000-10-14

I would not recommend "Which Way to the Vomitorium?" to anyone who is even remotely serious about the study of Latin. It contains too few phrases, and all of them are built with words found in any decent Latin dictionary. Do not be fooled by the subtitle "Vernacular Latin for any Occasion" into thinking that this book will give you any insight into what was common, spoken latin. If you are a teacher, you probably know just as many, if not more, off color sayings to interest your students than are in this book. And if you are a student, trust me, not one phrase in this book contains any word your Latin teacher would refuse to teach you!

A Good Buy for the Latin Teacher.......2000-05-20

This is a great compilation of Latin adages, some authentic, some invented. Although its practical value is questionable, it is worth its weight in gold to the high school Latin teacher. It lends itself to providing comic, tragic, dirty, and sometimes down-right rotten humor.

Customer Reviews:

Magical Grandeur.......2002-06-29

This is one of two books written by Margolies which I have just re-read. Emily Gwathmey co-authored this one. (The other is Pump and Circumstance.) Regrettably, copies of both are now difficult to obtain but well-worth the effort. Each focuses on what may seem to be a highly specialized subject. In fact, both offer a wealth of information and commentary concerning a basic component within the development of U.S. culture during the 20th century. This volume focuses on the "American movie theaters and how we had fun." Obviously, I have no idea how many readers of this review settled into a seat in one or more of the theaters which are featured in this volume. Many of them are no longer exist or have been converted to serve other purposes.

The excellent material is carefully organized within an especially appropriate format: a Prologue (written by Harold Ramis), followed by "Now Playing" (a brief history of film theaters) and then eight "Scenes" which focus on specific developments such as Saturday matinees and drive-ins. The illustrations (especially archival photographs, most in full-color) are superb. I was surprised to learn that several of the most ornate theaters were located in small towns throughout the United States. Margolies and Gwathmey provide a wealth of historical information about the theaters themselves, of course, but also about the entertainment entrepreneurs (many of whom combined films with arcades and even vaudeville programs), and the architects they retained to design theaters for them. In most small towns, the film theater was the major (if not only) cultural center. More often than not, an usher in uniform (perhaps wearing white gloves) guided people to their seats. Once the film began, the same usher used a flashlight to assist late-arrivals.

In the final chapter (Scene Eight: Elegy), observe: "the beautiful and ornate movie theaters we went to when we were growing up live on in our minds. Many of them survive as treasured landmarks, painstakingly restored to their former opulent splendor. Nearly all have suffered sadder fates. An unfortunate few cling to life as porno houses. Others live hermit-crab existences as nightclubs, churches, and bowling alleys. The saddest of all stand as dying dreams, withering away on the Main Streets of America. The vast majority, however, were violently and irrevocably demolished, replaced by faceless cinder-block cinemas I, II, III, and IV on the edge of town. Drive-in theaters have had an even harder time. Decaying slabs and overgrown parking lots litter the borders of civilization. Others have disappeared completely, leaving no traces at all."

Now that I am in my anecdotage, I frequently reminisce about my childhood in Chicago, recalling so fondly what "going to the movies" was like at the Avalon, Chicago, Granada, Oriental, and Paradise theaters. Until recently, my three sons and daughter, and especially my older grandchildren, simply could not identify with the experiences I described. Thanks to Margolies and Gwathmey's book, now they can.

I highly recommend it to those who share my interest in icons such as the movie theater. Its evolution has been inextricably involved in the cultural history of the United States. It has certainly been of unique and enduring importance to me.

A Captivating Look at the Movie Palaces of Yesterday.......2000-03-28

My first job was at a multi-screen movie theater in a mall only 13 years ago, and that theater is gone too. "Ticket to Paradise" by John Margolies is a wonderful, captivating look at the bygone era of grand movie theaters. Full of intriguing photos, most in color, this book leads you by the hand through the days when going to the movies was fun. I was astonished at how extravagant even the small town theaters were, and the thought and ingenuity that was put into the design of the signs and marquees.

It's heartbreaking to me that most of these georgeous old theaters were shut down, to be replaces by sanatized 20 screen theaters that had nothing memorable about them, most even built without marquees, these days. This book will take you back before the term "multi-screen" was ever used, when they're were ushers to guide you down the dark aisles when you came in late, and those wonderfule snack bar trailers... "Let's go out to the lobby..." etc...

If you have a passion for movies, and the bygone age of Hollywood, you will love this book.

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Ticket To Paradise American Movie Theaters And How We Had Fun
Emily Gwathmey Margioles John
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDLBHS

Book Description

This biography continues the series with a fresh look at Mozart from his early days as a child prodigy, and clears up some commonly held misunderstandings about his life. It is an energetic story about the young musical genius and his fascinating life, uncomplicated and yet rich in detail. A glossary, map and historical perspective are included.

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Introducing Mozart
Kitty Barne
Manufacturer: Dent
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Introducing Mozart (Introducing Composers)

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Introducing Mozart (Introducing Composers)
Roland Vernon
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0791060411

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2005-12-30

This book is fantastic:
It's well written, clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, and include detailed diagrams.
Finally a modern book (2004)include the solitaire of PC windows freecell, solitaire (klondike).
Another this best book include classic solitaire and rare variations/spin-off, as a bonus include solitaire games for two player. The chapter are: the most popular solitaire games, strategy games, travel solitaire, fun games, strategy g. 2 pack, solitaire for two. All book is well illustrated.
All you need is a economical deck of cards!!! If you can buy the deck called "patience" or mini size are small for solitaire.

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100 Best Solitaire Games
Sloane Lee
Manufacturer: CARDOZA PUBLISHING U
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K3SGMG

Average customer rating:

A wide ranging overview

An excellent quick read!

Read This NOW!

I loved this book; even as a seasoned professional

A Marketing 101 Review

Steal These Ideas!: Marketing Secrets That Will Make You a Star
Steve Cone
Manufacturer: Bloomberg Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Direct | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1576601919

Book Description

Working with and at leading companies including American Express, Espsilon, Apple, Fidelity, and Citigroup - with notable political and not-for-profit campaigns along the way - Steve Cone has the hard-earned and high-level experience that translates into valuable, tested insights on what really works in marketing. With the candor and freshness you'd expect from a close and (very) experienced friend, he delivers hundreds of insights in a quick, no-nonsense, and witty manner on all facets of marketing and advertising that will be of real value to businesses and organizations of all sizes and to anyone who has chosen marketing as a profession. A cover story on Cone in Ad Age's POINT magazine by Lawrence A. Armour called him "one of the acknowledged big guns in the mass-marketing business." And Faith Popcorn, bestselling author and Founder and CEO of Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve says, "With this book, Steve Cone provides a clear and no-nonsense guide for getting it done now."

Customer Reviews:

A wide ranging overview.......2007-08-22

This book offers high level insight on marketing, branding, advertising and PR. For marketing directors and executives at midsize and large companies, it's well worth reading. The author has long experience putting together and executing marketing campaigns for big private companies and political organizations. Cone's writing is easy to understand and his advice applies to most any type of marketing situation. A few excerpts--

"Truly great brands have four qualities in common. They are inspirational, indispensable, dependable, and unique." (p15)

"Small type is the enemy. Sans serif type is the enemy. Reverse type is the enemy." (p43)

"The effect of frequency trumps occasional [ad] placements every time, even if you appear more frequently in fewer publications." (p92)

"The number one job of senior marketing professionals is to recruit the best second in command they can possibly find." (p167)

Cone discusses areas that are not commonly found in books on marketing, including public speaking, corporate sponsorship, and working with your ad agency. This book is reminiscent of and makes a good companion piece to David Ogilvy's Ogilvy on Advertising , which explains the world of advertising from the inside out.

An excellent quick read!.......2007-04-20

I once read that you have to do something twenty one times for it to become a habit. After reading STEAL THESE IDEAS! by Steve Cone, I am absolutely certain that I will never, ever, ever use white reverse type for any ad copy. Cone is a champion at getting his point across, over and over and over. That's not to say this book is dull and repetitive. Far from it.

Cone presents critical techniques for creating a unique selling proposition. He is quite unwavering on such topics as font type, photo captions, and the aforementioned reverse type usage.

I would have liked to have read more actual copy writing techniques. There is an all too brief chapter on brochures, and dozens of wonderful writing tips, but the book is clearly geared more for the ad campaign spokesperson. Speaking of campaigns, there is also some great information here regarding political campaigns.

A fascinating book and a quick read at fewer than two hundred pages. The pages are broken into 23 chapters, each one a gem. Cone is an extraordinary writer and a wealth of information. This one is highly recommended.

Read This NOW!.......2006-04-14

Probably the most fun (and occasionally funny) and thought provoking marketing book I have read in several years. Tons of ideas and examples that anyone can use, er, steal. I used a hi-liter and note pad for this one. This is already back in my re-read stack.

Not that I have an opinion.

I loved this book; even as a seasoned professional.......2006-03-24

I have been in the marketing industry for over 10 years now and I found this book to be a great resource. Yes, it is well-written and to the point and I like that. Yes, many of the ideas are derived from marketing basics. I agree with the review that said it was thought provoking. That it is.

When i first read the book, I was marketing for a technology development firm. I recently accepted a job with a medical spa and i am re-reading many of the chapters. Applying this information to my specific task often leads me to many other great ideas.

Yes, young marketing candidates should definately read the book, but i also think it is a great book for the seasoned professional too. It brings you back to the basic and provides a platform to spark new ideas.

A Marketing 101 Review.......2006-03-22

The information in this book is hardly revolutionary. However, "Steal These Ideas," serves as a solid introduction or refresher course concerning marketing methods. Cone is easy to read and makes his points quickly, which is a blessing.

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