Rodchenko & Popova: Defining Constructivism

Always had a soft spot for Rodchenko. Unfortunately missed this Tate Exhibition, so this book is a welcome reference. However like most of my Art Books, they sit on the shelf looking impressive and get rarely used. Maybe in retirement I will read them all.

Written by Margarita Tupitsyn with an essay by Christina Kiaer. Available from Tate Shop.

Alexander Rodchenko (1891-1956) and Lyubov Popova (1889-1924) were figureheads of the Russian avant-garde during its most exciting period following the Russian Revolution, a heady period when they and other artists dedicated themselves to creating a new world. As leading lights in the Constructivist movement they were responsible for an astonishing array of iconic works. For the first time male and female artist are given equal status, throwing new light on their achievements and tracking the extent of their influence, still felt today.

The book concentrates on four key periods. From the Revolution in 1917 to 1921 both artists believed that abstract art had the potential to transform everyday life. The legendary 5 x 5 = 25 exhibitions, which created a community of artistic and revolutionary endeavour, are examined in depth. Between 1921 and 1924, the year of Popova's tragically early death, both artists abandoned art for art's sake and put their artistic skills at the service of the Revolution. The final section follows Rodchenko's later move into photography, the medium for which he is perhaps best remembered, and explores his involvement with film.

The lives and work of these two artists, along with their extensive network of colleagues and collaborators, provide a key to the whole Constructivist project. For the first time the issue of gender is explored; is there a difference between the approach of a female Constructivist and a male one? The wealth of new scholarship and previously unpublished works the book includes make it indispensable for anyone wishing to know more about the art of this fascinating period.

Pop Life: Art in a Material World

Accompanying book to the recent Tate Modern exhibition, Pop Life. Comes with a Warning of Contains explicit imagery, wit woo. Lots of additional goodies available.

From Tate Shop. By Jack Bankowsky, Alison Gingeras and Catherine Wood

"Good business is the best art." Andy Warhols notorious statement provides a starting point for this book, which examines the legacy of Pop art and its most celebrated exponent in the lives and work of succeeding generations of artists. Rather than shying away from the limelight, these post-Warhol artists have wholeheartedly embraced both the cult of celebrity and the commercial cut and thrust of the art market. Keith Haring set up his Pop Shop in Manhattan to sell his own branded products direct to the public; alongside making painting and sculpture, Takashi Murakami produces editions via his multinational corporation, Kaikai Kiki; and Damien Hirst arranged his own, hugely successful auction of his work at Sotheby's, entitled Beautiful Inside My Head Forever.

Jeff Koons's celebration in painting and sculpture of his marriage and sexual union with porn star and latter-day politician Illona Staller (aka La Cicciolina) is just one example of an artist crossing the usually accepted boundaries between the public and the personal, and between art and flagrant sensationalism. British artist Cosey Fanni Tutti caused similar outrage by electing to make performance art by working within the sex industry, appearing as a model in 'adult' magazines. For other artists featured, including Tracey Emin, Richard Prince and Martin Kippenberger, their public persona or 'brand' is something to be knowingly manipulated as part of their artistic practice.

Extensively illustrated and with illuminating essays by critics and curators from both the United States and Britain, this book is guaranteed to be as entertaining, challenging and provocative as the art it portrays.

Social media as book covers

While browsing found these, which I like. (Re)envisioning popular web services as book jackets. Could be extended to technology, brands, people as made up book titles. Reminds me of this gem with Wu-Tang Clan as Blue Note artists.

Home is Where The Heart Is

by Ilse Crawford (Author)

Seen it a few times as a reference for a project I'm working on. If you keep your eyes peeled in the Bond Street/Oxford Street area in a few weeks you'll be able to see what it inspired.

It's a lovely book, with great photography and an interesting idea behind it.

From Amazon: "We want to be modern, but we want to be human too' Ilse Crawford Ilse Crawford is constantly breaking new ground in her study of the individual's search for the perfect home. Continuing the theme of 'one eye sees, the other feels' from her previous book, Sensual Home, this book moves beyond the senses to an investigation of our basic human drives for survival, safety, love, respect and self-fulfillment. This is then expanded to how we live, our homes and our daily activities. Despite our increasing reliance on technology to bring ease and comfort to our lives, Ilse says 'we still want a sense of humanity, of home - a space that speaks to us radically and emotionally.' A unique flow of thought-provoking text, evocative photography and state-of-the-art design combine to produce a reaction in the reader which is as emotional as it is intellectual.

Art U Need: My Part in the Public Art Revolution

by Bob Smith (Author), Roberta Smith (Author)

Just caught my eye as an interesting read. Let you know what I think.

From Amazon: Artist Bob and Roberta Smith was recently appointed by Commissions East to oversee a project in which five artists were commissioned to create site-specific projects to transform open spaces in South Essex. Art U Need: My Part in the Public Art Revolution is an intimate account of this project, written in diary form. With sensitivity, candour and a great deal of humour, Bob Smith, and his alter ego, Roberta, ponder the nature and place of public art in today s world

Turner Prize 2009 Booklet

The show catalogue for this years Turner Prize at Tate Britain - showcases the four shortlisted artists. A quick and interesting read.

From Tate: "The Turner Prize is a contemporary art award that was set up in 1984 to celebrate new developments in contemporary art. The purpose of the annual Turner Prize is to draw attention to new developments in the world of contemporary art in Britain and to encourage wide debate around them. Each year a jury is asked to select a shortlist of four artists, British-born or working in Britain, whose publicly exhibited work over the past year has seemed especially innovative or important. An exhibition introducing the work of each artist is then staged at Tate Britain.

This booklet accompanies The Turner Prize 2009 and highlights each of the four artists being nominated this year, Enrico David, Lucy Skaer, Roger Hiorns and Richard Wright."