Contemporary artists such as Ghada Amer and Clare Twomey have gained international reputations for work that transforms ordinary craft media and processes into extraordinary conceptual art; from Amerrsquo;s monumental stitched paintings to Twomeyrsquo;s large; ceramics-based installations. Despite the amount of attention that curators and gallery owners have paid to these and many other conceptual artists who incorporate craft into their work; few art critics or scholars have explored the historical or conceptual significance of craft in contemporary art. Extra/Ordinary takes up that task. Reflecting on what craft has come to mean in recent decades; artists; critics; curators; and scholars develop theories of craft in relation to art; chronicle how fine-art institutions understand and exhibit craft media; and offer accounts of activist crafting; or craftivism. Some contributors describe generational and institutional changes under way; while others signal new directions for scholarship; considering craft in relation to queer theory; masculinity; and science. Encompassing quilts; ceramics; letterpress books; wallpaper; and textiles; and moving from well-known museums to home workshops and political protests; Extra/Ordinary is an eclectic introduction to the ldquo;craft culturerdquo; referenced and celebrated by artists promoting new ways of thinking about the role of craft in contemporary art.Contributors. Elissa Auther; Anthea Black; Betty Bright; Nicole Burisch; Maria Elena Buszek; Jo Dahn; M. Anna Fariello; Betsy Greer; Andrew Jackson; Janis Jefferies; Louise Mazanti; Paula Owen; Karin E. Peterson; Lacey Jane Roberts; Kirsty Robertson; Dennis Stevens; Margaret Wertheim
#741079 in eBooks 2009-05-18 2009-05-18File Name: B0047T73W8
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Woodstock As Told From The Views Of Some Who Were There Or Were Inspired By ItBy Brian GagnonThe Woodstock Festival is one of the most iconic historical events of all time. bringing together many young people and big acts together for 3 days of true peace and good music. This book tells the stories of some of those who attended. having heard about it or got prepared for the festival by watching "Monterey Pop" and "Easy Rider". However. there were people who couldnt make it for various reasons (i.e. backward-thinking parents throwing boomeranging threats at disownment. discouragement. traffic). Yet. that didnt stop them from getting inspired by the festival to take their lives in their own directions. which are the basises for some of the stories that are featured here. Regardless to whether they attended or not. the people featured here are just some of the dwindling but some pitch-perfect wise ones who had their lives changed by history and/or became a part of history that will never be forgotten.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent read. man!By BluesmanMan I love Woodstock. I have the blueray directors cut and it finds its way into my dvd player a lot. Im sure my neighbors think Im nuts or maybe Cheech and Chong are visiting. Anyway. I am also fascinated with any book on the subject and what better book to read than one which is packed with personal accounts from people who were really there? I got this book for my Kindle and have read it twice now. I was too young to go to Woodstock but when I read about it out of this book I feel like I was there. Its pretty far out. man!6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. 1st Hand Accounts - Priceless!By RTI remember this event in real time. and believed early on that it would be remembered for years thereafter. But considering the bad press reviews with some of them being on the verge of panic. and declaring the area a disaster. I wasnt sure that history would be kind. I now believe that Woodstock was as much a testament to the spirit of the participants as it was to the music. I love hearing the stories of those that were there and reliving a moment in time when the mud. hygiene issues. food concessions. clean water. and the outside world would all take a back-seat later on in the retelling. I smile with them as they speak more of the adventure of a lifetime. how a hardship became a hilarious story. and on it goes. As for Woodstock. we need another word besides "iconic." as it somehow has surpassed that. Perhaps history has softened my memory of this era too. but I still love those kids and enjoy hearing everything I can of our youth. Good book? Yea. Peace my brother and sisters.
