The Japanese passion for photography is almost a clicheacute;; but how did it begin? Although Japanese art photography has been widely studied this book is the first to demonstrate how photography became an everyday activity. Japans enthusiasm for photography emerged alongside a retail and consumer revolution that marketed products and activities that fit into a modern; tasteful; middle-class lifestyle. Kerry Ross examines the magazines and merchandise promoted to ordinary Japanese people in the early twentieth century that allowed Japanese consumers to participate in that lifestyle; and gave them a powerful tool to define its contours. Each chapter discusses a different facet of this phenomenon; from the revolution in retail camera shops; to the blizzard of socially constructive how-to manuals; and to the vocabulary of popular aesthetics that developed from enthusiasts sharing photos. Ross looks at the quotidian activities that went into the entire picture-making process; activities not typically understood as photographic in nature; such as shopping for a camera; reading photography magazines; and even preserving ones pictures in albums. These very activities; promoted and sponsored by the industry; embedded the camera in everyday life as both a consumer object and a technology for understanding modernity; making it the irresistible enterprise that Eastman encountered in his first visit to Japan in 1920 when he remarked that the Japanese people were "almost as addicted to the Kodak habit as ourselves."
#1130150 in eBooks 2006-06-01 2006-06-01File Name: B00XUC7KIA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful story!By Marie WiseLoved this historical narrative; that explains in fascinating terms; the history of The Mystic Lamb; along with the fate of the multitudes of artworks plundered and looted by the Nazis during WWII. The role of the Monuments Men; along with Resistance fighters is made even clearer; even though there is doubt about who the real heroes were. The fact that so much art was preserved is the important fact. Ill never look at art in a museum again without wondering who plundered and looted it from who resulted in me being able to view it at that particular moment. If you love art; history; war strategy and mystery you should read this book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Reads like Ken Follett or Tom ClancyBy David MellizsonThis comprehensive telling of the incredible story of one of humanitys greatest art treasure reads like a Ken Follett or Tom Clancy novel; except this one is true. Charney calls "The Mystic Lamb" the most stolen art work in history; and in tracing the story keeps dozens of characters clear and countless threads of action understandable. He offers the various theories that surrounds the episodes concerning The Lamb and gives their pros and cons before giving his own conclusions. This is an exceptional volume. Great read!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. European History Lesson at its BestBy C. GottliebI was intrigued by an article in Condeacute; Nast Traveler online something about The Mystic Lamb that piqued my interested. After a search I found this book and loved every bit of it. Not only is it a lesson in art history but mostly European history and how art has played a pivotal role in winning and loosing wars/conflicts over the centuries. The author goes into great detail describing every panel (of the 12 panels) of the Ghent Altarpiece right at the start. It is helpful if you can visualize this masterful work of art in all its glory so I found a great colorful picture on the internet. Now I wish I could see the actual piece in person to appreciate the artists talent as well as size/weight. A lot was devoted with WW2 and how if it wasnt for some very astute persons; the Monument Men and Resistance fighters; we wouldnt know any of this art for it would have been either destroyed at the unraveling of the Germans nearing the end of the war or the selfishness of the higher escilon of the Nazi party taking for themselves. I didnt realize that THE Lincoln Kerstein of the NYC arts/Lincoln Center/ NYC Ballet fame was part of the Monument Men! Lots of very interesting facts about various pieces of art; the establishment of Louvre Museum and intertwined was this Mystic Lamb by Jan van Eyck; stolen; hidden and investigative workings on who the perpetrators were. Wonderful book! If you are a history buff and like art; even better. I would highly recommend.
