[ePub] Legacies: Collecting America's History at the Smithsonian by Steven Lubar; Kathleen M. Kendrick in Arts-Photography

Description

This compelling narrative goes behind the scenes with the worldrsquo;s most important living artists to humanize and demystify contemporary art.The best-selling author of Seven Days in the Art World now tells the story of the artists themselvesmdash;how they move through the world; command credibility; and create iconic works.33 Artists in 3 Acts offers unprecedented access to a dazzling range of artists; from international superstars to unheralded art teachers. Sarah Thorntons beautifully paced; fly-on-the-wall narratives include visits with Ai Weiwei before and after his imprisonment and Jeff Koons as he woos new customers in London; Frankfurt; and Abu Dhabi. Thornton meets Yayoi Kusama in her studio around the corner from the Tokyo asylum that she calls home. She snoops in Cindy Shermanrsquo;s closet; hears about Andrea Fraserrsquo;s psychotherapist; and spends quality time with Laurie Simmons; Carroll Dunham; and their daughters Lena and Grace.Through these intimate scenes; 33 Artists in 3 Acts explores what it means to be a real artist in the real world. Divided into three cinematic "acts"mdash;politics; kinship; and craftmdash;it investigates artists psyches; personas; politics; and social networks. Witnessing their crises and triumphs; Thornton turns a wry; analytical eye on their different answers to the question "What is an artist?"33 Artists in 3 Acts reveals the habits and attributes of successful artists; offering insight into the way these driven and inventive people play their game. In a time when more and more artists oversee the production of their work; rather than make it themselves; Thornton shows how an artistrsquo;s radical vision and personal confidence can create audiences for their work; and examines the elevated role that artists occupy as essential figures in our culture.