This first collection of Mike Bartletts plays showcases the adroit expertise and flair of a writer known for laser-sharp political comment; tight dialectics and needlingly real characters.My Child is a gut-wrenching exploration of the lengths a father will go to to have access to his child. The play creates a violent world where good intentions count for very little; and offers an incisive; honest look at what it means to be a good parent.Contractions is an ink-black comedy about work and play: Emmas been seeing Darren. She thinks shes in love. Her boss thinks shes in breach of contract. The situation needs to be resolved. Artefacts depicts a father-daughter reunion which; after 16 years; crosses between the world of a British teenager and an Iraqi expert in antiquity; and is complicated by the ambivalent gift of a precious Mespotamian vase. Cock is a punchy play which takes a playful; candid look at one mans sexuality and the difficulties that arise when you realise you have a choice.
#1603335 in eBooks 2013-05-27 2013-05-27File Name: B00DZX5TN2
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Art World After the $12 million Stuffed SharkBy Tom GroenfeldtThis doesnt have the freshness of the "$12 million Stuffed Shark;" which was excellent at dissecting the art markets; especially the evening auctions at Christies and Sothebys. But Don Thompson does a great job of moving the story forward. He is probably nevere going to be required reading in graduate art programs eagerly recruiting new students and their tuition spending. He reiterates a point he made in the first book; that criticsa nd gallery owners and auction houses agree that 85 to 90 percent of contemporary art is not good; or awful; they just disagree n which 10-15 percent is great...usually finding much of it located in their own stable of artists.London and New York between them have about 80;000 resident artists; writes Thompson. "75 might eventually become mature artists with seven-figure incomes; and another 300 might show in mainstream galleries and earn six-figure incomes from their art.On the next tier are several thousand artists with some gallery representation who supplement their income waiting on tables; teaching; or writing; or who receive support from their domestic partners or from their local welfare authority."There are thought to be 15;000 artists walking the streets of New York or London at any one time; calling on dealers and seeking representation."Its a wonder MFA recruiters havent been prosecuted for fraud. But thats probably true for a range of graduate programs; from social work to journalism.He bravely lists the 20 top contemporary artists -- no woman is on the list -- and the most popular would rank between 25 and 50; he says. He also lists the top galleries and notes that the two top auction houses would rank high just on their private dealing. Want to find the next great market? Try Havana where an excellent grad school is turning out great artists. Thompson also looks at evolving markets in the Middle East and China; new museums; huge acquisition budgets; the evolving roles of galleries; auction houses; fairs and internet sales (pretty disappointing so far after two decades of efforts).Great on the uber galleries -- loved the comment from Charles Saatchi; not exactly a babe in the wood when it comes to the business of art."I adore Larry Gagosian; but I always hear the theme music from Jaws playing in my mead as he approaches."This is mostly the top end of the art market; but also a look at what is happened to the mid-level galleries. The sums of money involved are amazing.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Half a good book; worth the readBy Michael BertolacciThis book is worth reading for the first half alone. Actually; its only worth reading the first half; period. After getting off to a stellar start with a strong sense of narrative; things get boring. But I would not have that assessment detract from the quality of the first half of the book which was as interesting as the cover suggests.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting perspective on contemporary artBy PeterWhile some themes were the same as 12 million dollar stuffed shark; additional detail and new explorations make for an insightful and worthwhile read. Good blend of economics and social study. A unique exploration of the "Market as Medium"