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Recommended Books
Below is a list of books that are considered some of the most useful text to read in attempting to understand modern art. The huge selection of books concerned with art can be bewildering, thus we at ArtPraxis.com have compiled a list which may help to provide you with a good starting point, from which to develop in this complex field of study. Please note that the descriptions are only a rough guide to the contents and often cover a more extensive field of study.
Please note: This service will be regularly updated.
'Art in Theory 1900-1990 An Anthology of Changing Ideas,'
Charles Harrison and Paul Wood:
This book is one that we highly recommend as an introduction and reference book to this field of interest; it contains extracts from many of the most important and influential writers and theorist in the fields of art and sociology.
'Introducing'
series by Icon Books
These illustrated books are a good way of getting to grips with many of the intellectual writers of the modern age. This series also covers specific fields of study we recommend the following. 'Introducing Postmodernism,' 'Introducing Marx's,' 'Introducing Feminism,' 'Introducing Cultural Studies.'
'Of Grammatology'
Jacques Derrida
Considered by most as his most important book dealing with language and the concepts of meaning. (Difficult)
'Collected Essays'
Peter Halley
Excellent written collection of essays covering a variety of subjects by one of the best modern critics.
'What is postmodernism'
Jean Francoise Lyotard
This book is lyotard's most famous which deals with subjects such as the end of the grand narratives
'The hyper realism of Simulation'
Jean Baudrillard
A major text dealing with meaning in the modern age
'Recodings Art, Spectacle, Cultural Politics,'
Hal Foster
This book is highly complex in the issues it deals with but also manages to be remain clear, interesting and readable.
'Foucault, Marxism and History, Modes of Production versus Modes of Information'
Mark Poster
This text is both highly readable and clear introduction into a modern day reading and use of such writers as Micheal Foucault. It takes an interesting look at sociological methods of control and manipulation.
'The History of Sexuality Volume 1'
Michel Foucault
Interesting and very readable book looking at sexuality and myths
'Visual and other Pleasures, Language, Discourse, Society,'
Laura Mulvey
This book is very important in understanding the sexual politics and social controls surrounding the objectification of women within visual mediums.
'Intellectual impostures'
Alan Sokal and Jean Brimont
Very interesting book which attempts to critique many post modernist writers such as Derrida and Julia Kristaver. This book caused a real sensation when it was first published.
'Ways of seeing'
by John Berger
A well written book looking at meaning. This book is a good introduction to critical theory.
'Anti-Oedipus, Capitalism and Schizophrenia,'
'Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari
This is the first of two books in the 'capitalism and schizophrenia' series An interesting book looking at forms of social constriction through codification.
A Thousand Plateaus, Capitalism and Schizophrenia,'
Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari
This book is extremely difficult to contextualise but is growing in reputation in critical theory as a seminal text.
'Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison'
Michel Foucault
A very readable book looking at the political power involved in the look, amongst others.
'One Dimensional Man'
Herbert Marcuse
A very interesting and politically important book.
'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction'
Walter Benjamin
A very important text which focuses on the effect of the industrial age on art.
'Art and Culture, Critical essays:'
Clement Greenberg:
Clement Greenberg was one of the most influential critics during the rise of the abstract expressionists in America.
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