Free Downloads Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction
About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given topic. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Whatever the area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates the reader, the series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.
Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press (December 15, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0192804634
ISBN-13: 978-0192804631
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.5 x 4.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #101,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #51 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Aesthetics #95 in Books > Arts & Photography > Study & Teaching #149 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Art History
I found this book to do just what I had hoped. It's like a syllabus from a very smart, highly organized professor, who fleshes out the subjects just enough, and lets you know where exactly to look for more. It's concise, intelligent, and informative, and it saved me a lot of time in working out an outline on the subject (I'm an art professor myself). Cynthia Freeland -- thank you! What clarity!
I liked this book so much I bought it twice. It is also published under the title "But Is It Art?"
This book is really interesting with many good points on the theories of art. It has expanded my view of art as well as taught me a lot about different artists and their art. By reading this book, I have expanded my own personal art theories and learned to incorporate what I have learned into my own artwork. I will definitely be using this book in my future classroom as well as in my own life.
these books are ideal for when you are waiting...lightweight in size and volume and heavy weight in content. I like having something interesting on hand for moments of downtime and these volumes are perfect for that.
If you know next to nothing about art theory, and in fact think that words like "art" and "theory" should seldom be in the same sentence, this is a good book for you. The author's approach is to discuss major aspects of art by focusing primarily on specific authors or works, and then secondarily weaving in short introductions to theories and theorists. I found it unfortunate that philosophical treatments are scarce compared to art criticism, but that's probably a reflection of the fact that I am a philosopher and have a preference for rigorous analysis over quasi-obscure essays. Of course by the end of the book you will still wonder whether a brillo box in a museum (or a dead shark, for that matter) really is art and why. But you will have been exposed to at the least the very basics of how to answer that question meaningfully and in an informed way. (My answer: no, in both the brillo and the dead shark cases.)
Great coverage in a short book. A bit of art history along with theory and fair to all genres of art. I enjoy this series a lot and have over a dozen of them.
Nice level headed look at contemporary art up to the start of the new Millennium
My Very First Library: My Very First Book of Colors, My Very First Book of Shapes, My Very First Book of Numbers, My Very First Books of Words Ethnomusicology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) African Religions: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Ancient Near East: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Hebrew Bible as Literature: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Kafka: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Comedy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Borders: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Exploration: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Buddha: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Medieval Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Nuclear Weapons: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Free Speech: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Gandhi: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Judaism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Coral Reefs: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Deserts: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
