Painting Culture tells the complex story of how; over the past three decades; the acrylic "dot" paintings of central Australia were transformed into objects of international high art; eagerly sought by upscale galleries and collectors. Since the early 1970s; Fred R. Myers has studiedmdash;often as a participant-observermdash;the Pintupi; one of several Aboriginal groups who paint the famous acrylic works. Describing their paintings and the complicated cultural issues they raise; Myers looks at how the paintings represent Aboriginal people and their culture and how their heritage is translated into exchangeable values. He tracks the way these paintings become high art as they move outward from indigenous communities through and among other social institutionsmdash;the world of dealers; museums; and critics. At the same time; he shows how this change in the status of the acrylic paintings is directly related to the initiative of the painters themselves and their hopes for greater levels of recognition.Painting Culture describes in detail the actual practice of painting; insisting that such a focus is necessary to engage directly with the role of the art in the lives of contemporary Aboriginals. The book includes a unique local art history; a study of the complete corpus of two painters over a two-year period. It also explores the awkward local issues around the valuation and sale of the acrylic paintings; traces the shifting approaches of the Australian government and key organizations such as the Aboriginal Arts Board to the promotion of the work; and describes the early and subsequent phases of the worksrsquo; inclusion in major Australian and international exhibitions. Myers provides an account of some of the events related to these exhibits; most notably the Asia Societyrsquo;s 1988 "Dreamings" show in New York; which was so pivotal in bringing the work to North American notice. He also traces the approaches and concerns of dealers; ranging from semi-tourist outlets in Alice Springs to more prestigious venues in Sydney and Melbourne.With its innovative approach to the transnational circulation of culture; this book will appeal to art historians; as well as those in cultural anthropology; cultural studies; museum studies; and performance studies.
#2710134 in eBooks 2010-07-22 2010-07-22File Name: B00EENLDSM
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Anguish of WarBy Laura BooksnobThe War to End All Wars. World War I by Russell FreedmanWar World I was suppose to be the war to end all wars in the world. It was brutal; deadly; and unforgettable. Thousands of lives would be lost for a few feet of territory. Unfortunately World War I was a precursor and a cause of World War II and as we all know the horrors of war continue in the world today.World War I started when Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were killed by a Serbian terrorist group called the Black Hand in 1914 in Sarajevo. After their murders Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and the Russians (Serbian allies) declared war on Austria and then Germany declared war on Russia and so on until almost two dozen countries were involved in a war for reasons most couldnt clarify.World War I would change the way war was fought when it employed modern weapons; like tanks; long range artillery; trench warfare and poisonous gas. Battles would be fought on land; sea and in the air with newly designed bomber planes. Over 20 million people died in World War I; many empires collapsed; revolutions were fought; famine was widespread and the world map was redrawn.Freedman does an excellent job of explaining World War I clearly and accurately. Many photos depict the anguish of war; the devastation of the landscape and the injury of the soldiers. There are only four maps in the book and personally I would have preferred more. As a world history teacher; maps are really important to me and help me reference the location of an historical event. The War to End All Wars in my opinion could have had a lot more maps illustrating the important battles and their strategic locations.The War To End All Wars is extremely informative; easy to read and understand and an excellent reference resource on World War I.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Best Simplest Description of WWIBy Teresa PietersenThis is classified as "Juvenile Literature" but should be read by anyone who wants to understand the elements that lead up to and culminated in both World Wars; because the two are inseperable.It covers the historical political points in concise; well ordered chapters. With photos that are relevant and give a view on how things really were.The author has done a simply brilliant job of getting all the salient facts and even make sense; when seen from almost a century away.If you want to encourage younger folk to read about this era; this is the book.If youre not sure of the history; are curious but dont want to wade through a three inch text book; buy this for yourself.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent History Book on World War IBy Lynn EllingwoodGreat history books for youth. Russell Freeman is a great historian for kids history books and this is no exception. He covers World War I with a thoroughness that is satisfying and accessible for young people studying history. Great photos and maps accompany the history.