Ambition and Love in Modern American Art

Book Description

Sigmund Freud wrote that the artist "desires to win honor, power, wealth, fame, and the love of women." In this engrossing book, Jonathan Weinberg investigates how an artist's ambition interacts with his or her art, how wealth and celebrity play a role in the artistic process. He shows that anxiety about the relationship of an artwork to identity and the corrupting influence of fame plague modern artists of all genders and sexual orientations. Weinberg explores eccentric acts in the artistic careers of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Walker Evans, David Hockney, Sally Mann, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Alfred Stieglitz, Andy Warhol, and others, through which these artists struggle to gain or maintain the attention of an increasingly jaded audience.

Weinberg begins by discussing Whistler's famous portrait of his mother in terms of maternal metaphors for painting. He follows with a discussion of the familial relationships forged by artists like Pollock and Mann with their imagined tradition. He next focuses on the role of love in photographs by Stieglitz as well as O'Keeffe's attempts to find autonomy from the overwhelming attention of her partner Stieglitz. Weinberg also reveals that artistic fame is usually a matter of competition, and he examines the impulse of artists like James Agee and Evans and Basquiat and Warhol to work together. The book concludes with a rumination on the NAMES Project Quilt and the problem of what becomes of those who die in obscurity.

Customer Reviews:

Thought-provoking, compassionate, and erudite.......2007-07-29

I absolutely love this book, esp. the chapters on Bourke-White et al, and on Warhol and Basquiat. I agree with previous reviewers that this is a book full of soul by a writer and artist who loves and understands the creative process. This is a great text to teach with my upper-level undergraduates. I highly recommend it even for those only mindly interested in art, as an erudite page-turner that will make you think.

Try in vain to put it down........2002-07-01

I, like others, picked up Weinberg's book after the stellar Nochlin review. I was somewhat puzzled by the project at first, but as is often the case with the art Weinberg discusses, "Ambition and Love in Modern American Art" is too seductive to dismiss. While his categories seem vague, even silly, his discussion of the artists and their work is elegant. His style is always engaging, mostly because it is so often personal. I suspect that critics have been troubled by Weinberg's approach, the lack of any real scholarly investigation, replaced by coffee-table talk and emotional musings. I can't really refute such critiques. But I do think that Weinberg's approach holds a lesson for all those interested in studying, writing about, and even practicing art. To try and separate oneself from the art you create or examine is a futile enteprise. His inclusion and discussion of such themes (God forbid!) as love, desire, and ambition adds a much needed jolt of blood and flesh into art history. It reminds us that art history is no science and that art historians need not feel so insecure about that. After all, art-making itself is not just a process of intellect, it is one of passion. Perhaps historians should investigate their own stirrings a bit more, as Weinberg has done here, to make their own scholarship truly insightful and what's more, readable.

A Perfect Antidote to the Myth of the Pure Genius.......2002-05-03

This is one of the best art history reads I've had in a long time. Wenberg's is an original mind. You just have to try it for yourself.

A must for scholars of American art!.......2001-12-18

Picked up this book based on Linda Nochlin's rave review in Art in America, and also, having recently heard Weinberg speak in New Mexico. This is a smart well-written text which will appeal to scholars and regular folks as well. Chapter on O'Keeffe, and the one on O'Keeffe and Stieglitz quite fascinating, as is the Weinberg's take on Agee and Evans. I plan on assigning this to my students for a course on 20th century American art.

Purchase this Book! Incredibly Absorptive..........2001-07-28

I loved this book. This magisterial work makes for absorptive reading- it absorbs your interest in art as well as your capacity to read further. The author displays an incredible sponge-like capacity. Like a sponge used to prevent any conception, the work keeps anything from coming into mind. I particularly loved the chapters on Wharhole and Polyp: Weineberg's own style pays fantastic homage in imitating the abrasive contents of the former's brillo box. It's also great how the author just soaks up some cast off comments from Freud and Manzoni, draining them like a vampire. He just sinks his teeth right in! I had a few disagreements about how he handled Basquiat with rubber gloves, especially the early work, but in the end I appreciated Weinberg's janitorial finesse and the range of his sweeping generalization.

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AMBITION & LOVE IN MODERN AMERICAN ART
Jonathan Weinberg
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORTO1A

Book Description

The Eiffel Tower in miniature, a tiny silver teddy bear, or perhaps a platinum disk engraved with a date: Every charm on a bracelet has special meaning for its wearer: history on a wrist.

Tracey Zabar, premier crafter of charm bracelets, explores the enduring appeal of these chic, sweet accessories in Charmed Bracelets. Beginning with the amulets and talismans of ancient times, she discusses the origins of charms, then showcases a selection of exuberant ornaments from the charm-crazed 1950s and concludes with present-day bracelets.

Charmed Bracelets includes suggestions for selecting trinkets around a theme, be it foreign cities or favorite movies, and provides instructions on how to maintain the jewelry. Beyond embellishing a bracelet, Zabar also describes other clever applications for charms: to customize a dog collar, for example, or bedeck the ribbons on an exquisitely wrapped birthday present. A guide to buying charms completes this enchanting gift book. AUTHOR BIO: With her popular, vintage-influenced charm bracelets, jewelry designer TRACEY ZABAR has put a fresh new spin on a coveted family heirloom. An artist with degrees in photography and textiles, Zabar lives with her husband and four sons. This is her first book.

LISA BIRNBACH is the editor of the classic Official Preppy Handbook and the author of numerous books about American popular culture.

ELLEN SILVERMAN's photographs have appeared in Simple Stunning Weddings and New Soul Cooking (both STC).

Charmed: 50 Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings to Make and Give

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Charmed: 50 Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings to Make and Give
Gabriella Sellors
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Jewelry | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1581808976

Book Description

*50 projects for charm-inspired jewelry and accessories
*Includes a glossary of charms and their meanings
*Includes a comprehensive techniques section for designing your own charms

Book Description

Ned Nickerson arrested for shoplifting! Nancy Drew threatened with a lawsuit! A rare computer chip stolen from Rackham Industries! It all gets even more exciting when Nancy receives a mysterious charm bracelet in the mail - and soon a crime is committed for each charm!Will Nancy, even with the help of Bess and George, be able to find the real culprit before Ned is convicted?

Customer Reviews:

Charmed Bracelet: A New Nancy Drew Hit!.......2007-03-27

I was over-excited when I found this volume of the Nancy Drew graphic novels. As a big fan of manga (japanese comic books), I like to read cine-manga (kind of like regular comic books), too. The graphic novels are okay, but I love Nancy Drew's makeover!! Her hair is way cooler than it used to be, but I can't help but wish the graphic novels were a bit thicker. If you like thin books, go ahead and buy it, but for thicky thicky book readers, step away! Even though I like thick books over thin ones, my love for Nancy Drew mysteries allows me to compromise.;)

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A Charm Bracelet with Murderous Charm

Lauren Silva And The Charmed Bracelet
Jordin Everrey
Manufacturer: London Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1905006314

Customer Reviews:

A Charm Bracelet with Murderous Charm.......2005-03-26

Product Description:

Since her archaeologist father disappeared seven years ago Lauren Silva has lived a boring life with her fussy lawyer mother, nagged at home and bullied at school. This changes suddenly when her strange grandmother gives her a bracelet that has been in her father's family for countless generations, hung with charms that represent the life experiences of her ancestors. Lauren begins to have terrifying nightmares that change her life as they give her clues about her family's ancient history, and her friends the Kirby twins are drawn into danger with her as they realise that secret enemies are attempting to steal the bracelet. After a murderous attack is made on them, Lauren's grandmother suspects that the enemies need the bracelet in order to turn back time and resurrect an ancient tyrant who was assassinated by Lauren's ancestors. She sends for Lauren's uncle and cousin Max to help protect Lauren, and together the Silva family try to unravel the puzzle of who their secret enemies are. Past and present begin to intertwine as they get closer to the truth, and when Lauren too is captured Max has find her in time to save the world from the terrible "Lord of Storms".

Charmed bracelets: two West Hulls sisters have seen their business distributing Italian jewelry boom after attracting the attention of celebrity neighbors. ... from: San Fernando Valley Business Journal

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Charmed bracelets: two West Hulls sisters have seen their business distributing Italian jewelry boom after attracting the attention of celebrity neighbors. ... from: San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Carlos Martinez
Manufacturer: CBJ, L.P.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from San Fernando Valley Business Journal, published by CBJ, L.P. on September 2, 2002. The length of the article is 934 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Charmed bracelets: two West Hulls sisters have seen their business distributing Italian jewelry boom after attracting the attention of celebrity neighbors. (Small Business).(Linx and More Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Author: Carlos Martinez
Publication: San Fernando Valley Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 2, 2002
Publisher: CBJ, L.P.
Volume: 7 Issue: 18 Page: 16(1)

Article Type: Brief Article, Statistical Data Included

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Charmed, I'm sure: diva-inspired memory bracelets.: An article from: Expression

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Charmed, I'm sure: diva-inspired memory bracelets.: An article from: Expression
Kathie Gillaspey
Manufacturer: Publishers' Development Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000ALOUQY
Release Date: 2006-07-14

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Expression, published by Publishers' Development Corporation on May 1, 2005. The length of the article is 576 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Charmed, I'm sure: diva-inspired memory bracelets.
Author: Kathie Gillaspey
Publication: Expression (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Publishers' Development Corporation
Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Page: 48(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

In Rumiko Takahashi's latest volume of this epic adventure, Inu-Yasha and Kagome - protectors of the powerful "jewel of four souls" - are challenged by army-fighting demons and the ghost of an unforgiving girl.

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF THE MOST COOL BOOKS!!.......2002-10-14

This is a really awesome book. Especially with the thunder brothers--Hiten and Manten--who kidnapped Kagome. Inu-Yasha is forced to fight not only to keep the shards, but to hide a secret I think even his own heart was keeping from him, by saving Kagome. It's sweet with the scenes and the tension between the strong, Shikon-Jewel-souped-up, full-demon Hiten against Inu-Yasha; Shippo, as little as he is, trying to help; Kagome trying to set some memories right with the little one. Even though our hero is only half-demon, he is--as one of the chapters says--a half-demon is better than one.

Pacifing the angry soul of Mayu gives you a chance to see Kagome's really strength and determination. Guess Inu-Yasha does need her, huh? (And not just as a shard detector) Though you don't see him nearly as much in this little story of the book, he's still a big focus.
This one deserves 5 stars; you can call me bias, don't care.

(By the way, will somebody ever slap Hojo with a stick of knowledge? Because if someone says they slapped him with a stupid stick, I'd disagree. I'd still disagree if they said he was beaten with it. I'd say he had a severe fall down the whole dang tree!!!)
CYAS!

yet another enjoyable addition to the series.......2002-06-28

I wouldn't recommend reading this book if you haven't at least read the first book, and even then this might be confusing. It begins with a continuation of the confrontation that began in the third book. Kagome has been kidnapped by a pair of demons, the Thunder Brothers, but she manages to convince them that she'd be of more use to them alive than dead. They find Inu-yasha because they want the shards of the Shikon Jewel that he has, in order to increase their own demonic powers. In the second half of the book, Kagome is back in her own time period and trying to survive school. Unfortunately, she can never seem to get anything done without something supernatural appearing. Kagome has to somehow get a dead girl to find peace before the Tatari-mokke, a demon that plays with the ghosts of newly dead children, opens its eyes. The girl will go to hell if she can't find peace before then. The second part of the book is, I think, the first time that Kagome and Inu-yasha have ever done anything that didn't give them the possibility of recovering a shard of the Jewel. Rumiko Takahashi handles the death of a child and the idea of learning forgiveness very nicely in that second part.

Great!.......2002-04-25

It basicaly continue from volume three, then has a short story when Kagome go back during her time and meet a dead girl! Read it!!!!!!!

Blood 'N Guts 'N Sushi! by A 13 year-old in San Diego.......2002-04-17

Actualy Im 13, I just had to say Im 12 to do this form.

This was a pretty good book. Its Manga, Main-Gah, a Japanese comic-book, er, "Graphic Novel." This is by the same guy, I meen Girl, as the one who did Ranma 1/2. Her name is Rumiko takahashi... Or some thing like that. She is a really great artist, and does the best art in any manga ever! Now for the plot:

A girl named Kagomi- Kah go mee, I think,- is in present day Japan, but falls down her familie's anchient-Sacred well, trying to get her little brothers cat out. She wakes up in Feudal Japan with a demon centapede after her!

There she meets a strange half dog-Demon boy named Inu-yasha, who beleives her to be the incarnation of Kragomi,a Preistess of the Shikon Jewel, The women he once loved, the woman who killed him once...Or did she? He is on a quest to find the Shikon, for in will make him a full demon. Unfortunatly Kagomi breakes the Jewel, scattering the peices over all Japan. Now the two, A rude young dog-demon boy, and a modern schoolgirl, must team up to recover the jewel shards.

Warning- Japanese manga is very different from U.s comics:

More Blood, less violence.
Plenty of rok'im sok'm fights.

Better artwork, better plot, less dialoge.

Due to Public baths, they have nothing against bare umm...you know. This is kinda embarasing for me, but, I'd advise moms against letting any one under 12 read this, maby 15 for boys. It's not really nasty, just embarrasing. And there is barely any of it in there.

Correcting past mistakes..........2000-02-21

First off, let me just say this: Inu-Yasha is my favorite Takahashi manga to date! Second, I think you get a pretty good plot summary from Amazon and the other reviews, so I won't go into that. However,I will say that with plot and characters both, Takahashi surpasses all her other manga series. Personally, I thought that Lum was a bit out there, Mermaid Scar a bit too gory, and Ranma 1/2 was too repetitive, but in this title, it's as if Takahashi has taken the best from all of her series and decided to part with the worst (not that there was much of that anyway!). She's finally perfected the blend of action and romantic comedy. Inu-Yasha and Kagome as the reluctant couple complement each other perfectly--Kagome is mature in her actions, yet not in her feelings, and Inu-Yasha, while aware of what he feels, can't get past his somewhat juvenile behavior. I'm happy to say Takahashi-san has ironed out the flaws that persisted in the relationship between Ranma and Akane. Kagome is smart, independent and *very* likable, but she isn't violent or unforgiving or unwilling to listen, like Akane sometimes was. She's more than capable of standing up for herself, but she doesn't have to put others down to do it. Finally, a heroine who can put up with her guy! I'm very impressed with her--she can see past Inu-Yasha's hostile exterior and be kind to him in spite of his insults (though by no means being a suffering saint!). It's also refreshing to see the characters grow--Kagome started out slightly ditzy, but as she found herself having to deal with demons and monsters, she quickly shapes up and becomes reliable in a crisis, stable and in control. She's also sensitive and caring. On to Inu-Yasha. He seems at first to be a Ranma-type character--unable to express his feelings, hurting the ones he loves by accident, yet as the manga progresses, you see he has much more depth to him. Inu-Yasha has a rather unfortunate past with Kikyo, and that's the thing stopping him from fully accepting his relationship w/ Kagome. His past also leads him to be suspicious of mortals, and his heritage adds yet more complications to his emotional outlook. As a half-demon who fights agains his humanity, he's really a much better person than even he knows. I must say it was very surprising to find out that he's quite aware of his feelings for both Kikyo and Kagome--he just can't bring himself to put them out in the open. One thing I love about this manga is that we can finally *really* emphasize with Inu-Yasha's distrust of women and Kagome's frustration at not being able to get closer to him. In Ranma, it was hard to take the characters or their feelings seriously--the situations were always so wacky and bizzare that they spoiled and refuted any really dramatic moments. But here, you can really feel Kagome's ache for something more, and Inu-Yasha's bitter reluctance to commit. Another factor is the much more mature storyline, with gripping action that leads you to exclaim and sometimes hold your breath in anticipation as you flip the pages. Finally--if you felt some of Takahashi's other titles were too repetitive--that they settled into a pattern and stayed there--I'm happy to say that _this isn't the case_ with Inu-Yasha. Just as you think the story's beginning to be in a rut (about Volume 4)--Takahashi introduces a whole new aspect to the plot, dealing with passion, trust, heartbreak and betrayal in a surprisingly serious way. This all starts out in Volume 5, and only gets better from there on. This isn't quite the light-hearted comedy Takahashi-san usually serves up, but with still plenty of laughs in between. So even if you found some of Takahashi's other works not to your liking (but especially if you did!) here comes a manga with something for everyone. Buy it already!

Inu-Yasha Anime Manga Book Vol 4 (in Japanese)

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Inu-Yasha Anime Manga Book Vol 4 (in Japanese)
Rumiko Takahashi
Manufacturer: SS Comics Visual Selection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

All Japanese Books | Japanese | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Shonen (Boys) | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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Michael Thomas Ford is Hilarious!

Poignant, funny, and self-revealing

Bitter, bitter, bitter

Yes, Sir! Another Bulls-eye for Michael Tomas Ford

Outstanding

That's Mr. Faggot to You : Further Trials from My Queer Life
Michael Thomas Ford
Manufacturer: Alyson Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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It's Not Mean If It's True

Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me and Other Trials from My Queer Life

The Little Book of Neuroses: Ongoing Trials From My Queer Life

My Big Fat Queer Life: The Best of Michael Thomas Ford

Skipping Towards Gomorrah

ASIN: 1555834965

Amazon.com

Michael Thomas Ford garnered lots of laughs in 1998 with Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me and Other Trials from My Queer Life. The follow-up collection of pieces from his syndicated column, That's Mr. Faggot to You, continues Ford's exploration of contemporary gay life. In the title essay, reports of a teenager who successfully sued his school district for failing to prevent physical and mental abuse by his classmates prompts Ford to recall his own traumatic high school experiences and leads him to recognize that, years later, "he is happier, more successful, and a great deal more attractive" than his classmates. In other essays, he discusses the you-and-me-against-the-world relationship he has with his black Labrador, proposes a new line of Christian-friendly action figures (including a Jonah and the Whale Play Set, "appropriate for bath-time use or fun in the pool"), and even manages, despite his uncertainties, to offer an adolescent nephew dating advice (concluding that "guy problems were guy problems, regardless of who the person creating the dilemma was or how many holes she or he had"). That's Mr. Faggot to You is a humorous slice of contemporary gay life that's bound at least to elicit a smile from any reader.

Book Description

An Excerpt

The Perils of P.E.

Summer is here, and I should be in shape. I even promised myself that this year I'd go to the gym and just do it. But once again I'm not ready. My stomach is still too big, my shoulders too small. Blame it on Wally Shufelt.

Wally Shufelt--Mr. Shufelt--was my fifth grade gym teacher. One of those aging ex-jocks who failed to make it to the majors, he told us at least once a month how the Dodgers almost signed him right out of high school but a knee accident sidelined him before the start of spring training. Instead, he spent his years taking out his frustrations on the boys he used to be, dedicating his life to making men of us. And he took to it with a fervor generally found only in missionaries and defenders of the spotted owl.

I think for most gay men gym class was a black or white thing. For those of us who could actually do things like tackle, hit balls, and sink free throws, it was a junior version of nirvana, complete with sweaty bodies and blossoming hormones. For those of us completely bereft of any coordination whatsoever, it was a different story altogether.

Today I can enjoy physical activity--I have even been known to watch sporting events from time to time--but back in my school days I was decidedly in the second camp. Although my father had been the star athlete at the same school 25 years earlier, I inherited none of his talent. And in a backwoods school where excelling in academics was nothing compared to being able to score 42 points in the first half of whatever game one was playing, this was a decided disadvantage.

How I dreaded those alternating days when fourth period came and I had to enter that cavernous, wooden-floored palace of misery with its stench of varnish and unwashed adolescence. Many were the mornings when I would wait for the bus and pray as hard as I could for God to bring about the Second Coming before 11:00 rolled around and I was forced to see what new ordeal Mr. Shufelt had prepared especially for me.

You see, although we engaged in the usual seasonal gym class cycle of soccer-basketball-baseball, Mr. Shufelt was happiest when putting us through the paces of some activity of his own design. He was of the firm opinio

Customer Reviews:

Michael Thomas Ford is Hilarious!.......2003-12-05

I recommend all of his books (Alec Baldwin doesn't love me) - they are very funny, well written and really amusing. I am constantly disappointed by gay humorous books (like Bob smith's lame book) but Mr. Fordn never disappoints.

Since the chapters are so short it is great for reading on the train or before bed.

I can't wait for his next one.

Poignant, funny, and self-revealing.......2003-08-19

You'll love this book. Ford takes the quirky side of his life and adds his own bitter take on things. If you like David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs, you'll enjoy Michael Thomas Ford.

Bitter, bitter, bitter.......2002-04-15

It's a bitter book written by a bitter man. I suppose it's funny. There are some great one-liners in it, but mostly the book just drones on and on. Frankly I hated it, but my partner found it to be a laugh riot. You choose.

Yes, Sir! Another Bulls-eye for Michael Tomas Ford.......2002-02-25

Michael Thomas Ford is not only funny but his humoresque take on gay life is so dead on it is frightening how honest and true it is. Highly recommended! You may not agree with everything he says but you'll at least laught for the his honesty and comedic view on gay life. Even though this book is a couple of years old it is still very fresh and funny. Do yousrself a huge favor and read at least one of his "My Queer Life" books, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I certainly wasn't and I doen't give authors five star ratings very easily, unless it is well deserved. I would love to see his mini essays transfered into a one-person stage show. I think it would do very well.

Outstanding.......2001-11-10

While reading this book you will find yourself laughing outloud. It shows what being a gay man in the 21st century is TRULY like. I absolutely loved it!

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