For over three decades now; David Byrne has been a leading light in American culture - in popular music; experimental theatre; film; television; fine art; and writing. Based on the cultural capital he gained with his groundbreaking band Talking Heads; Byrne is able to enter into collaborations with many artists; some of popular fame -Brian Eno and Jonathan Demme; for example - and others known best in more specialized circles - such as Joseph Kosuth; Twyla Tharp; and Caetano Veloso. The map of Byrnes collaborations; including the casual and incidental ones; reveals an ongoing effort to combine avant-gardism with popular appeal. This highly original and illustrated account of David Byrnes career is structured by choosing a specific abstract approach; or a combination of two approaches; for each chapter; discussing the parallels and contradictions between such approaches to benefit the interpretation of Byrnes art. As a result; the fertile conceptual brew that characterizes Byrnes way of making art is present from the beginning; while each chapter adds to thorough insight and developing perspective.
#2644343 in eBooks 2010-02-19 2010-02-19File Name: B00LV9I88A
Review
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Cave Paintings and the Human SpiritBy MarkaeologistAs an aerchaeologist working for the State of California and as a CRM specialist; I have been to (and worked at) many of the rock art sites discussed in Whitleys book. Also; I have spent much of my life among different Native American communities; so his discussion of shamanism resonated with me. I have been teaching anthropology courses at night at a local Community College and found his insights useful in explaining human beliefs in rock art (so-called for lack of a broad enough and accurate enough defining term...). I read his book and others he has published in tandem with three related recent publications by David Lewis-Williams (the Mind in the Cave; Inside the Neolithic Mind; and Conceiving God) and recommend that those people wishing to learn about cognitive archaeology; religion; first art; shamanism or other "near-the-mark" topics read these four books as a group; in order of publication date. Very enlightening.14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A pretty good read; but not essential reading on the subjectBy olaliFor those; like me; who are are fascinated by neolithic cave art and all things related; this is a worthwhile read. It is intended for popular consumption but includes an interesting narrative about the recent science and politics of methods to date the art created on cave and other rock surfaces. He is of the school of thought that the paintings were made as part of shamanistic rituals. He attempts to weave in a variety of fascinating research on the subject of shamans and shamanistic trance states; but it does not connect the dots or provide enough concrete examples to convince me one way or the other. IMO His argument for mental illness as a characteristic of shamans in general falls off a cliff; as he is clearly not qualified in this area. Its definitely a theory worthy of scientific study; but by the time he gets to putting forth his ideas; he is focused on more recent shamanism; while the unknownable aspects of our ancestors of 20000-30000 years ago are forgotten.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent readBy M. EngelI gave this a top rating because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Among scientists it is usually not done to value religion as a force of change. This writer can and does. I have read other books about similar subjects and it usually ends up in a useless and fruitless is-not-is-too debate. I liked the style of writing and felt like taking the journeys the writer has made during his career with him; looking over his shoulder as he stepped in to Lascaux cave; the foz coa district with all its open air art or his Mojave desert art. Furthermore Whitley has interesting theories about the orogin of religion; that go beyond the usual they hallucinated arguments I have been reading about. Still; this is a scientific book as I see it. WHitley hasnt gone religious. He simply has the ability to understand where it is coming from and explain it to laymen. Definitly worth re-reading!!!
