The story of Chick Austin is the story; in Virgil Thomsons words; of "a whole cultural movement in one man." Becoming director of Hartfords Wadsworth Atheneum at the age of twenty-six; Austin immediately set about to introduce modern art to America and to transform this conservative insurance capital into a cultural mecca that would become the talk of the art world during the yeasty years between the two world wars.The first in the United States to mount a major Picasso retrospective; Austin was soon acquiring works by Daliacute;; Mondrian; Miroacute;; Balthus; Max Ernst; and Alexander Calder. In the museums new theater (which he designed); he staged the premiere of the revolutionary Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson opera Four Saints in Three Acts (with an all-black cast). At Lincoln Kirsteins instigation; he brought Balanchine to America. And he embraced all the new art forms; making film; photography; architecture; and contemporary music part of the life of his museum. For his own family he built a Palladian villa (now a recently restored national historic landmark); filling it with the baroque and the Bauhaus and inviting all the locals in to see how it felt to be modern.Austins instinct for quality proved infallible. Whether acquiring a matchless Caravaggio or a startling Daliacute;; he balanced the old masters with the modern. Mounting provocative shows that linked the past to the present; he created dramatic installations--and he threw himself into everything; hanging fabrics; creating backdrops; stitching up costumes. He loved to teach; to paint; to act; to give lavish costume balls; and to dazzle audiences of all ages with his performances as a magician; the Great Osram.Brilliant at using his magicians sleight of hand; he could manipulate his conservative trustees to get what he wanted--but only up to a point. One more purchase of an incomprehensible abstract canvas; one outrageous party too many; one more shocking theatrical role; eventually led to a crisis. Never one to be idle for long; Austin left Hartford and took on a new challenge--to make an artistic triumph of the pink-and-white palace in Sarasota; Florida; known as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; which housed the circus kings moldering but magnificent collection.Here is the colorful life of Chick Austin; and as we relish his audacious career--the risks he took; the successes he enjoyed along with the inevitable setbacks--we understand what a far-reaching influence he had on the way Americans look at and think about art. Not only a brilliant portrait of an extraordinary man; this wonderfully American story gives us a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the art world as it was then--and in many ways still is today.From the Hardcover edition.
#2004149 in eBooks 2011-09-28 2011-09-28File Name: B005UL90R8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One word. Amazing!By Antonino GiglioThis is a truly amazing book on green roofs. If you are after nice pictures than this book is not for you but if you are after a huge amount of informations. the book with most informations on the market. then this book is for you.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Nuts and bolts not pie-in-the-sky. feel-good fluffBy gardenguyThis is a must-read (and smart) book for anyone contemplating even a small-scale green roof project. I would also recommend it to a more general reader who wants to get a good understanding of the building construction process.I bought the book because I was interested in learning more about the practical aspects of green roofs in connection with a business venture. It thoroughly exceeded my expectations on every count -- comprehensiveness of information. easy-to-follow explanations of sometimes v technical components and systems (the many photos and technical drawings do an excellent job of enhancing a readers understanding of the material). the generous use of case studies to illustrate topics and a presentation and writing style that appears to be v focused on the readers needs / desire to learn.Many books about green roofs are either overly general (with limited practical product or technical info) or they specialize in one area only (plants. design. environmental considerations). This book covers EVERYTHING. from A to Z. and would be useful to neophytes and. just as much or maybe more. experienced developers. contractors and landscape design professionals. Its clearly written. often fascinating. at times funny and again. unlike other similar books Ive read. it takes a point of view and states things with unambiguous language. That is refreshing and made it not only a useful book. but also a pleasurable book that I enjoyed v much.9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Weeellllll......By gusThis book has a wide variety of information. however. it does seem aimed at much larger projects. It discusses much. but gives few recommendations. For instance. it discusses built up roofing and sbs roofs. who in their right mind would consider putting them under a green roof? There seems to be a fear of recommending or discounting things. I guess I did expect more specifics. There are many places where it states "X is used in many green roofs" or "green roof designers generally do this" Is this good? Is this bad? What do you think? I am reading your book. I want to know what you think! I cannot recall many places where it states dontIt does have some illustrations of the green roof layers. I think I wanted moreOverall. it is a multidisciplinary look at all of the topics involved in a green roof. but after reading you will not be ready to do it. unless by building a green roof you mean hiring the people who do it.So I still need a book on plantings.....I still need a book by a hands on green roof builder about building in my climate.....It does have info on weights of soils etc.So it is a good book. but not the book I wanted it to be. so whos fault is that?
