Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism, Vol. 2 - 1945 to the Present, 2nd Edition 2nd Edition

This book is challenging, but so is the art that matters of the last 117 years. In the last 117 years, like it or not, art that wants to take itself as seriously as Art of the previous eras (which took itself extremely seriously: think Michelangelo claimed to be "divine" in a religiously fanatical period, over and against the popes who were his patrons who were not divine) is in one way or another conceptual. This book is the insiders guide to the art of that period written by the insiders' insiders. Every page contains crucial information about (for example) why painting became and remains problematic, what "performance" art is and why it matters, what role photography has in completely transforming, and continuing to inspire and complicate art after its invention, how art responds to the question "is it art," etc. etc. Artists especially should read this book if they have ambition because: there's a hierarchy. At the top are artists who are big presences in the Venice Biennale, in Kassel, in shows at the Whitney and MOMA, in must-see exhibitions in Paris, Beijing, Berlin, and Seoul. Those artists, what they make, and why they are exhibited: that's the mystery this book explains. Like it or not.

I believe it helped me in terms of my quizzes. However, I found it hard to comprehend considering the research/text to be far more advanced than I could take. Reading this book page by page, it's enough to make my brain overload with smoke.

Thank you to the authors and the person who shipped this!

Required for my Art History class, maybe a bad review will let professors know this is not an enjoyable read. I am not much of a book learner, but this is written in such a way that it seems only the authors really know what they are writing about. I don't care much for art history, but this makes the subject even more boring and confusing than it already is. It is not straightforward at all and every chapter I read I feel like I have not absorbed any of the content.

I was under the impression that I needed this book for a class on contemporary art. After reading the first few assigned sections for homework, I was turned off from even looking at the pieces I found to be interesting. I have a hard time reading history books in general, but this one is very opinionated and does not explain the works on a level that I understand. If you are taking an art history class and are recommended to use this book for it, please ask your professor if there are other options. Aside from being difficult to read, this book is very pricey and not even worth keeping for reference.

Very detailed. East to read. No arcane language is introduced unless references to its origins are mentioned. Up-to-date. A masterful rendering.

"....an indispensible resource for understanding how our current cultural moment is inflected by changing conceptions of the past" as another reviewer puts it.It sure is that. It certainly demostrates quiet clearly how some academics choose to reappropriate historical fact in order to fall in line with the narrow, convaluted views and theoretical constructs of a few, who wish to establish themselves as the, self appointed, "new and improved" cannon.Far too many ommissions for my liking.Its a huge and relevant Art world out there !!Be warned..If you are not prepared for the language (at least Batchelor of Arts Degree level)you may feel like an illiterate Medieval peasant travelling out of your village for the first time in order to enter the doors of Cologne cathedral to hear a man in a pointy hat speaking Latin !!

got this book for school and came in good condition. definitely helped out with classes for back up information. great for studies