One of the most influential artists of our time; Mike Kelley (1954--2012) produced a body of innovative work mining American popular culture as well as modernist and postmodernist art -- relentless examinations of subjectivity and of society that are both sinister and ecstatic. With a wide range of media; Kelleys work explores themes as varied as post-punk politics; religious systems; social class; and repressed memory. Using architectural models to represent schools he attended; his 1995 work; Educational Complex; presents forgotten spaces as frames for private trauma; real or imagined. The works implications are at once miniature and massive. In this book; John Miller offers an illustrated examination of this milestone work that marked a significant change in Kelleys practice. A "complex" can mean an architectural configuration; a psychological syndrome; or a political apparatus; and Miller approaches Educational Complex through corresponding lines of inquiry; considering the making of the work; examining it in terms of education and trauma (sexual or otherwise); and investigating how it tests the ideological horizon of art as an institution. Miller shows that in Educational Complex; Kelley expands his political and aesthetic focus; including not only such artifacts as generic forms of architecture but (inspired by the infamous McMartin Preschool case) popular fantasies associated with ritual sex abuse and false memory syndrome. Through this archaeology of the contemporary; Miller argues; Kelley examines the mandate for education and the liberal democratic premises underpinning it.
#2926957 in eBooks 2015-05-18 2015-05-18File Name: B00YO2WVUC
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Be a different fishBy Raven ShaddockHow can you not love a guy who once was next door neighbor to Mr. Ed.This book covers from Don growing up to becoming Captain Beefheart from musician to painter Don Van Vliet. If you are a big Beeheart fan I recommend it.Author Mike Barnes speaks w/ The Magic Band; producers other musicians that may have known or toured w/ the Captain. Even some quotes from Ian Anderson who Beefheart opened for during Tulls; Thick As A Brick tour. They go through every Beefheart album track by track. This made me pull out my lps listen to them again. Of course Beefheart didnt want anything to do w/ the book so the writer did the next best thing and quoted Beefheart from past articles. Its pretty detailed.It took me a while to purchase this book from some of the negative reviewsleft here. I decided to be out of the norm purchase it anyway no matter what people tell you whats good or bad. Like Captain Beefheart says "to be a different fish you have to jump out of school."2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Straight forward and enjoyable read of rocks enigmatic captainBy Geoffrey R. BalmeThis being the biography of a musical persona and his various bands; the contention that more was wanted about the man BEHIND the (trout) mask (replica) are a bit belligerent.Captain Beefheart was not a man; he was a character created; and maintained by the man in question. Sometimes the efforts taken to maintain the Beefheart character are downright amusing; propagating silly stories about vocal ranges; the musicians origins; lack of schooling; and speed with which he single handedly created the Trout Mask Replica album.Still; Mr. Barnes puts together what is available. He has some nice anecdotes from some great fellows who were there at the time.The only let down is the actual prosaic origins of most of what is Captain Beefheart and the (his) Magic Band.Its a little like having a magic trick youve always loved; revealed.But; remember why you are here to begin with; you love the music - and the music IS what CB and TMB are. Studying the music; the albums; the notes; the lyrics - puts us in the minds of the natural philosophers of old who studied the earth to better know the creative spirit(s) who were (such would presume!) responsible.We wish a few others would write some books. John French; or Gary Marker; for instance; but chances are they were too close to the trick; it may have never much looked like magic to them!Until then; enjoy the Barnes book - as great a story of rock; art; and behind the scenes of the magic as any.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Great book!By John MackenzieThis book filled in a lot of the gaps in my knowledge of the Captain Beefheart phenomenon. After I read Barnes book; I read Zoots; Lunar Notes; and I really feel like I have a handle on what went on behind the scenes; particularly during the era of the Zoot Horn Rollo--Rockette Morton--Jeff Cotton--John French--Art Tripp incarnations of The Magic Band. There is some essential information added in the 2009 edition; most notably that Herb Bermann claims to have written (and I believe him) the words to most of the songs on "Safe As Milk" and some of the songs on "Strictly Personal".No sense in re-telling the story of this book -- read it yourself if you have been eager to know more about the Captain Beefheart Experience.You have my recommendation.ombowstring[...]
