Why Your Five-Year-Old Could Not Have Done That: From Slashed Canvas to Unmade Bed, Modern Art Explained Paperback – September 25, 2012

I believe that most modern art is simply a clever exercise to extract money from those with too much money and no sense of what makes good art. Having confessed to my bias, I strongly recommend this book.The author exposed me to new artists and shared her rich understanding of modern art in its historic and artistic context. She shares the often less than obvious message that the artist is attempting to communicate. For example, the author provides the following about Artist's S*** by Piero Manzoni: "The work parodies inflated values of art and also exploits consumerism, particularly the developing preoccupation with packaging and possessions. Meanwhile, the contents of the can represent the ultimate use of waste as an art material." (p. 116-7). I would not be willing to purchase the art priced at the equivalent of its weight in gold, but I can better appreciate the multi-layered message and the creative process that generated the idea for this piece of art.The most valuable contribution for me was making explicit the implicit assumptions about art that some of the artists are challenging. For example, the author provides the following about the Fountain by Marcel Duchamp: "The most famous provocation of the art world began when the Frenchman Marcel Duchamp bought a standard urinal from a New York hardware store... (W)ith one simple but outrageous act, Duchamp proved that the modern artist is not sovereign, and that institutions such as museums also do much to determine what is art... Duchamp posed other questions about art, among them, what are the characteristics and conditions that define an object as a work of art? Should art appeal primarily to the eye (not primarily to the mind), and should it involve some transformation of materials or can a pre-made object be considered for its merits? (p.102-3)With more books like this one, perhaps we will all be less judgmental and more appreciative of modern art and the artists who share their messages with us.

Let me start by saying that I like and enjoy modern abstract art, not all of it, but much of it. I also know that many probably have said, "My five year old could have done that." Hodge admits that some of the art, or something like it, that she illustrates in her book could have been done by a five year old. Her proviso, though, is that no five year old could have produced any of these art works with the intention that the artists of these works, or critics, claim for the works. I'm sure that is true.Hodge gives a brief history of the development of modern abstract art and highlights the move from works that require considerable artistic skill to works that communicate emotional, social or political views. In fact, some of the works were produced by "artists" of limited or absent traditional artistic skill. Thus, previously, art could be appreciated by the viewer for its own sake without knowing anything about the artist or even knowing who the artist was. This is more than an evolutionary change; this is revolutionary and in fact completely changes the notion or art.To my mind the problem, which she doesn't address, is twofold. First, a lot of modern abstract art isn't something I particularly want to look at. It's sometimes interesting, but rarely attractive. Secondly, and more importantly, it doesn't effectively communicate the ideas that Hodge claims the works are trying to communicate. Kline's bold abstracts may communicate chaos or angst, but most communicate nothing. Some of the artists even say they aren't trying to communicate anything. Thus they fail to communicate or please.I'm reminded of a quote from Warhol: "Art is what you can get away with." A lot of art(ists) in cahoots with are critics are pulling off a giant scam.

I think this book is excellent for beginners. I have a number of books covering classic and modern art. What I like most about this book is that Hodge's explanation for each work and artist is pretty easy to understand. The other books have too much jargon. There is jargon here too but there is enough to get the idea for each piece and to understand the perspective of the artist. What i learned for the first time is that contemporary art breaks the traditional view that art must be about beauty and technical painting, drawing, sculpturing ability. Rather today's artist tries to convey complex ideas in a graphic format. I can now go to the other books I have on modern and contemporary art and get further detail on the art or artist. Many people dislike contemporary or modern art. They cannot abide having art that is ugly, nonsensical or preachy. Some of the art and artists I like and some I do not. I may not even like the idea that is being conveyed. However, now I can understand it, even if I do not like it.

WYFYOCNHDT is a healthy antidote to the philistine carping that denigrates "modern art" in all its forms--expressionism, cubism, action painting, etc. The author, Susie Hodge, argues convincingly that what may appear to the untrained eye as little more than random pigment on a canvas is in reality a carefully planned and painstakingly crafted composition. Beautifully illustrated in full four-color reproductions, the paintings are explained in jargon-free, accessible prose that enhances the reader's understanding not only of the works in question but also of the movements of modern art that have marked the last hundred years. Highly recommended.

Informative and interesting text. Love the pictures and it does explain things in a way that makes you realize that your five-year-old could not have created the works of art, though I still think they look like something a five-year-old would do. I am just not into modern art is what my husband says.

This book explains the ideas and reasoning behind some of the 20th Century's most challenging works. The experience of many artists during WWI was a huge influence. At the end of the book you may still not like the works but at least you will understand why behind what they did.

A more accurate title would be, (in my humble opinion at least), “Why Your Five Year Old Could Not Have EXPLAINED That”. A point reinforced by the author herself on page 136, (Kasimir Malevich), where she says, “A child certainly could have painted this simple square canvas…”.Susie Hodge is no worse, (possibly better), than some art critics and “connoisseurs” when it comes to “educating” us proles regarding modern art. If you are anything like me however – it is a waste of time. This book did not provide a Damascene conversion but then again, I am the very model of a reactionary old git. That’s not to say all modern art is without merit. It’s just that I like to SEE a little craft and intelligence – not be patronised into seeing things that are simply not there.If you’re looking for a book to demystify modern art, then you could do worse than this. It’s well written and mercifully free of the more ridiculous interpretations. However, if you think later works by Pollock are simply random drips and not bona-fide works of art, “Fraught with energy tension and drama” - then I doubt this book will convince you otherwise.

A load of old tosh.Tosh I tell you, Tosh !Dry, devoid of humour (which I at least expected a pass at) and downright Dull.Just some pseudo intellectual riffing off the age old ' My 5 year old could do that ' retort that non over educated (but not necessarily clever) middle class chancers throw back at what these type of people like to call 'Art' or 'Modern Art'.I thought this would explore a bunch of modern art and the ideas behind it. She does that ok. But then ever page has a boxout about why your 5 year old is incapable of doing this that.It would be easy to just say 'a five year old doesn't understand conceptualisation' but you get a blow by blow pointless reasoning why, which becomes very jarring after a few pages.Some modern art has clever ideas. Some of it is just nonsense masked as masterpiece. But a true artist can draw paint and think!

An interesting view of modern art and an introduction to several artists i had never heard of but I still remain convinced that a great deal of it is The Emperors New Clothes

I am a massive advocate of Modern Art, but I do have a beef with the flouncy language often used to talk about it. Based on the title, I was expecting this book to be written in approachable, easy to understand language that would be appropriate for me, or my 12 year-old nephew. As it was, the writing style was a turn off for me and only added fuel to me nephews "all Modern Art is rubbish" fire. An opportunity missed.

Altought I am no fan of most modernist art-well can we define what art is? I was intrested to gain an understanding of an advocate. Did not convert me but well worth reading for alternative opinion on why a tear in a paper is deemed art