Avant-Garde Art Groups in China; 1979-1989 is one of the most thought-provoking books on the subject of contemporary Chinese art. It addresses head-on the problematic identity and cultural politics of contemporary Chinese art in the late 1970s and 1980s. At the same time; it gives readers unfamiliar with the field a theoretically sophisticated introduction.
#895049 in eBooks 2016-01-25 2016-01-25File Name: B01A9DZHDW
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Work Rich and FruitfulBy StephenA few years ago; I became a student and resident of the University of Montevallo. I fell madly in love with the town and its university and regard them as my adopted home. You can thus imagine my delight when one of the universitys historians decided to produce a pictorial history of the town: the resulting few hours; as I oohd and awwd my way through the citys history; were utterly fascinating and left me with a touch of homesicknessAs mentioned; this is a pictorial history; consisting of photographs of people; buildings; and the town landscape with historic commentary. The photographs are typically divided two per page; though one of the aerial views was given a full two-page spread. Those aerial views are particularly noteworthy; for they capture the towns early state in a way unmatched by other city histories which I have read; like Yesterdays Birmingham. Although Montevallo began life as an agricultural center and mining town; its fortune was truly tied to the growth of the university. While the role of agriculture diminished and the coal mines closed; the university continued to flourish through the 20th century. Beginning life in 1896 as an industrial school for women; it matured into a liberal-arts college and then finally into a mixed-sex public university covering multiple disciplines. Although the books dozens of pictures show clearly how much the town has grown and changed through time; the university population has also allowed much to be preserved: the nearness of a large student body keeps Montevallos charming Main Street alive and well despite the competition of chain stores.As fascinating as it is to watch any town grow through the ages; this work will be more compelling to students and residents of the city; for whom it will be like a family album. The personalities who shaped the university; who drove its history; are honored in succession through the decades as the university grew and affixed their names to its many beautiful buildings. I loved seeing the familar campus slowly grow through the years; marveling at what facts history has hidden -- that one generations soccer pitch was anothers science and math complex. Some of the pictures are positively eerie; like the spread of Main Quad; which shows it entirely open. Today; its home to a dozen or so trees; all grand old majestic beauties whose size and absence from the photo bear witness to the passage of time. All told; the pictures illustrate that much more has transpired upon Montevallos red brick roads and under her stately white columns than I could ever imagine.Montevallo is part of an extended series of pictorial histories; and my only caveats seem to be marks of the series as a whole. Because the market for these books is presumably small; the photographs are produced only in black and white (even modern ones); and are not quite as large and some might hope; though the commentary serves to remedy this by pointing out small details which might otherwise go unnoticed. Residents and students at Montevallo will find in this work a treasure.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Like Going HomeBy F. CooperThe book arrived quickly and was in excellent condition. Being a mid-Sixties graduate of Alabama College; this book brought back memories of the town and college that are priceless. Plus; several pictures included friends and events from my era (in fact; as a student photographer for the college; I may have even taken a couple of them or at least was there assisting). Anybody who loved the Alabama College/University of Montevallo experience will love this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well written lots of picturesBy CustomerI bought it for my mom this was her home town she loved it
