Drawing together a wealth of primary sources; J.A. Sokalski examines the aims; inventions; and methods of the pictorial style that defined MacKayes art. Sokalski shows how MacKayes famous Madison Square Theatre; which featured a double stage reminiscent of an elevator; created whirling pictorial illusions for fashionable New York. He argues that MacKayes infamous failure; the colossal Spectatorium theatre for the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair; was the most complete realization of this illusionary aesthetic. Sokalski also explores MacKayes influence on Buffalo Bill Cody and how civil war cycloramas expanded his concept of pictorial space.
#3306901 in eBooks 2007-07-10 2007-07-10File Name: B00CS5BL7G
Review
93 of 93 people found the following review helpful. Refreshing new way of understanding foundational painting skillsBy Anne P.Ive been a professional graphic designer for nearly 20 years; and recently have gone back to my first love; fine art. I smugly thought there wouldnt be too many books that could teach me the concepts of color theory better than I knew from college and work experience; but Ive learned that once you change the medium; the core artistic concepts shift a bit too. The way to compose for graphic work is vastly different than it is for fine art. The same is true for how your artistic eye sees.This book covers the core concepts of fine art in a new and refreshing way. Learning to see the big shapes of composition; understanding color harmony - these are the foundation skills that build any great painting. No matter how many art books you already have in your library now (no comment); this is a golden addition.36 of 37 people found the following review helpful. I like itBy MownleyNegative space is another way of painting using design and color ; and that maybe nothing new ;i think its a great way to paint and think about your art in another way.the book cover is beautiful and the pages inside are easy to understand and step by step. You can imagine using this technique in your own art and find it freeing new and exciting.I would recommend this book . The author I think explains color ;design and technique well and seems to want there readers to use this technique instead of how some art tech books seem to just be an advertisement of there own art work claiming to teach you nothing. The book I think would be great for beginner artists and advanced artists who wants to rethink and imagine something new.28 of 29 people found the following review helpful. Simplifying DesignBy Fern PhillipsThe book was not as much about design as the title suggests. I did get some design tips that were helpful; like repeating shapes; relationships of line and overlapping frames. However I was disappointed in the exercises; either they were too simplistic; such as recreating composition plans (copying); or too complex with no explanation; as in the preparatory sketches.Too much time and space spent on colour mixing and hue; which most artists already know; and any relationship to design was poorly explained.This work could have benefited from a good editing; limiting it to subjects clearly related to design; and clear exercises that transition skills in design.