In Rio de Janeiro; the spiritual home of world football; and Buenos Aires; where a popular soccer club president was recently elected mayor; the game is an integral part of national identity. Using the football stadium as an illuminating cultural lens; "Temples of the Earthbound Gods" examines many aspects of urban culture that play out within these monumental architectural forms; including spirituality; violence; rigid social norms; anarchy; and also expressions of sexuality and gender. Tracing the history of the game in Brazil and Argentina through colonial influences as well as indigenous ball courts in Mayan; Aztec; Zapotec; Mixtec; and Olmec societies; Christopher Gaffneys study spans both ancient and contemporary worlds; linking the development of stadiums to urbanization and the consolidation of nation building in two of Latin Americas most intriguing megacities.
#1104675 in eBooks 2010-06-15 2010-05-24File Name: B003RWSBXQ
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A Refreshing New Watercolor CompilationBy Roland LeeFirst of all. I need to make a disclaimer. One of my watercolor paintings appears in this book. As a watercolor painter and teacher for over 30 years. I love to collect show catalogs. annuals. and "Best of" compilations that I can share with my students. I want them to be familiar with lots of styles. techniques. and solutions and be exposed to the work of many artists. both famous and unknown. "Splash 11" continues the tradition Rachel Rubin Wolf started many years ago of creating an annual around a theme. allowing each artist to describe his or her methods. techniques. and approach. This book follows the theme "New Directions" and as you might expect each artist reached out in new and different ways using watermedia as the tool of communication. I enjoyed reading the artists comments and quotes as much as I liked looking at the paintings. And I appreciated the inclusion of skilled. but lesser-known artists as well as the more venerable. but sometimes predictable professionals whose work weve seen time and again. Refreshing.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. happyBy B.DianI had bought this book a while back My friend who is staying with me took it from the top of the cabinet placed it along with other books of mine on a counter below an air conditioner in my workshop which started to drip water. The books were ruined I was so happy to find replacements. I had the whole set find them excellent tools for my class.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Splash 11-More like a trickleBy tony andradeThis latest volume. Splash 11. by North Light Books was a let down for me on several levels. The design of the book and presentation of the art had more of a magazine feel about it. I expected a cleaner less encumbered design. so the art would have a high end "gallery" appearance. Using full bleeds of the art and quotes superimposed on the paintings leaves me feeling cheated. Being a painter. I would not be happy to have my work used like an illustration in what is promoted as an "art" book.I also have the sense that the images have be cropped? I cant be sure of this but I think I may be correct.The art would look much better on dull coated stock rather than the glossy paper used here. The weight is fine but a dull coated paper would bring a richness to the layouts.I think the desginer(s) need to think more along the lines of a gallery catalogue rather than a special magazine issue.As for the paintings represented. there are several that I found inspirational and many that are just ok.
