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alexhouston's review against another edition
4.0
The snark is sometimes slathered a bit too thick but it’s never not delicious. Shades of great empire-in-decline essayists abound (Didion’s poker faced prose is a clear template) but the unflinching ethnographic attention to this one odd corner of production and consumption sets this apart from everyone else’s dabbles. Chapters on the Christies auction, the art school critique, and the Venice biennale are especially abundant in absurdities, enough to almost get a glimpse the grounding of a more grounded critique of the whole — ie one that grapples with Capital, not just capital. A fine way to start what promises to be an abundantly absurd and incompletely critiqued year.
annikalmolitor's review against another edition
3.0
I think this was a really brief introduction to the art world that scratches the surface of seven major events in the artistic realm. The other interviews multiple very interesting curators and artists, which I wish she would’ve focused on more. A good first “artsy” book, but I will definitely be looking for one newer than 2004 and more in depth.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a look at the world of contemporary art by ethnographic researcher Sarah Thornton. Each "day" comprises a long article about an aspect of the art world. I found it to be fascinating and surprising. You'll laugh, but I hadn't thought of the world of contemporary art as being quite so pretentious or as preoccupied with money.
The book opens with an auction at Christie's, in which one's importance is indicated by where one is allowed to sit. I'd always thought it would be fun to attend an auction. I don't think that anymore. This was a good opening for the book, illustrating how much art is just another plaything of the very wealthy. In subsequent chapters, Thornton looks at a class at CalArts in which students present their work for peer critiques; Art Basel, a Swiss art fair in which galleries have booths and do much of their year's sales; the announcement of the Turner Prize, a British art award which is as much a sign of prestige for artists as the Booker prize is for writers; ArtForum magazine; Japanese artist Takashi Murakami's various studios, in which his work is carried out by other artists and where marketing opportunities are pursued and, finally, the Venice Biennale, an international event for contemporary art.
Even as art itself is a constantly changing thing, how art is created, marketed, sold and resold hasn't changed. The most successful artists are as concerned for securing patronage and in marketing their image as they were in Renaissance Italy. And people have always bought art and, with their choices, indicated both their taste and wealth. If you have an interest in the subject, this is an excellent look at a world hidden from people who visit an art museum or gallery.
The book opens with an auction at Christie's, in which one's importance is indicated by where one is allowed to sit. I'd always thought it would be fun to attend an auction. I don't think that anymore. This was a good opening for the book, illustrating how much art is just another plaything of the very wealthy. In subsequent chapters, Thornton looks at a class at CalArts in which students present their work for peer critiques; Art Basel, a Swiss art fair in which galleries have booths and do much of their year's sales; the announcement of the Turner Prize, a British art award which is as much a sign of prestige for artists as the Booker prize is for writers; ArtForum magazine; Japanese artist Takashi Murakami's various studios, in which his work is carried out by other artists and where marketing opportunities are pursued and, finally, the Venice Biennale, an international event for contemporary art.
Even as art itself is a constantly changing thing, how art is created, marketed, sold and resold hasn't changed. The most successful artists are as concerned for securing patronage and in marketing their image as they were in Renaissance Italy. And people have always bought art and, with their choices, indicated both their taste and wealth. If you have an interest in the subject, this is an excellent look at a world hidden from people who visit an art museum or gallery.
sujuv's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating, immersive dive into seven different aspects of the art world (published in 2008, but doesn't feel out of date) - including Takashi Murakami's studios, an art "crit" at Cal Arts, and an auction at Christie's. Each aspect is one day of this story and without making sweeping judgments or generalizations, Thornton gets the reader to consider, "what is art?" Well worth reading.
sydsteib's review
4.0
Really loved her approach to the most exclusive aspects of the art world. It was very engaging and made the most elite aspects of a very diverse and multi faceted industry easy to understand and follow
sophiecatherine's review against another edition
4.0
Good introduction to the art world, has its lengths though.