In 1975 Bas Jan Ader disappeared at sea while trying to sail from the East Coast of the United States to Europe as part of a project titled In Search of the Miraculous. Aders considerable influence on later conceptual artists stems from the way in which he used the cool analytic and antisubjective aesthetics of conceptual art to explore experiences that would seem definitively subjective--the emotional intensity of tragedy and the romantic quest for the sublime. In Search of the Miraculous was conceived as a three-part project: a lonely nighttime walk from the hills of Los Angeles down to the sea; documented in photographs; the Atlantic crossing; a night walk through Amsterdam; mirroring the LA photographs.The circumstances of his disappearance have led many interpreters to identify Ader (as a person) with the role of the tragic romantic hero. The cult status of the artist as a hero whose work is authenticated through his death; however; has obscured the fact that Aders art was a critical investigation of precisely those romantic motives his persona has now come to be identified with. This book unpicks these ties in Aders work in order to highlight the specific and unique way in which Ader explores the existential and emotional with an artistic approach that is as conceptual and analytic as it is poetic and personal.Afterall Books are distributed by The MIT Press.
#4462371 in eBooks 2013-10-15 2013-10-15File Name: B00FWUDPU0
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book to bring back memories.By JobI over this book. It brought back so many memories of my younger years in that area. I also bought a copy for my brother who was fascinated with the content. And I bought another for my good friend who now lives in Florida; who was my best friend from when I was about five until we both got married and moved away.In addition my granddaughter purchased the book on Centereach;NY the area where my husband and I raised my children as a gift for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this one also.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GREAT BOOK!By Raymond K. MurrayI was born and raised in Glendale; Queens and this is an excellent pictorial history of that wonderful town. This book shows how it was when I was a boy; when my father was a boy there; and even when it was mostly farmland at the turn of the century. It also includes historical facts which I didnt know. If you know and love Glendale; this book is required reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book to walk down memory lane. Learned so muchBy Terri P.Memories out of the pages of my mind. Took me on a one way trip back in time. So much has changed but remains the same.