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'A unique compilation of essays by well-known curators and active participants within this field, it is less an anthology and more an exhibition itself . . . Despite the authoritative stance from which these essays stem, together they refreshingly bring the discussion back to the true centre of their work: the artwork itself.' ---Contemporary magazine
Synopsis
Rising attendance at museums and 'megashows' plus increased press coverage in the age of the international biennial and blockbuster has translated into a growing interest in how exhibitions are made. The new art histories and the curatorial studies programs springing up across North America and Europe often deal with theoretical issues, yet one of the central questions of curatorial practice frequently remains unstated: What makes an exhibition great? In this book, 14 essays by active curators and historians address the issue head-on. Their perspectives on realizing high ideals in the face of budget constraints and various, sometimes conflicting, institutional and public imperatives provide pragmatic examples of thinking by doing and ways to address the public through that central nexus of art and audience: the exhibition. Focused on curating contemporary art, mainly American and European, "What Makes a Great Exhibition?" includes essays by the prolific curator Robert Storr on the plurality encompassed by the words 'exhibition' and 'exhibition-maker'; Studio Museum in Harlem director and chief curator Thelma Golden on issues informing ethnically specific exhibitions; Dia Foundation curator Lynne Cooke on firmly grounding rarified aims; and Iwona Blazwick on a century of trailblazing at London's Whitechapel Art Gallery, where she is director; and curator Carlos Basualdo reflects on the need to establish a meaningful critical context for international biennials.Other writers address such issues as the question of the didactic label, the nature of the 'group' in group exhibitions, exhibiting design, video and craft, as well as the way architecture can influence the nature of the exhibitions it houses. "What Makes a Great Exhibition?" proposes carefully considered answers to numerous questions of practice even as it raises more questions about exhibition-making today. This volumes aims to stimulate thought about how overarching issues meet on-the-ground practicalities. The book is vital reading for arts professionals, art and curatorial studies students, art historians, practicing artists, and anyone curious about exhibition-making today.
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Exhibitions are strategically located at the nexus where artists, their work, the arts institution, and many different publics intersect. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Exhibitions are strategically located at the nexus where artists, their work, the arts institution, and many different publics intersect. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a collection of essays by a myriad of professionals in the field, selected and edited by Paula Marincola of the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative. As a student of Museum and Curatorial Studies, it caught my eye at the bookstore, and surely enough, less than a month later, in class, we started studying a couple of the essays included.
Theoretically, the essays attempt to tackle the extremely vague and open question that lends itself to the title of the book, and in order to do so, the editor sent a list of questions to the contributors for them to work as they saw fit (this list is available to the reader in the form of a bookmark, besides being part of the cover's original design). However, I found that a lot of the essays didn't actually attempt to answer that question, and instead explored other themes related to curating; that wasn't a problem to me, since they were still interesting and informative, it just feels a bit strange to be told that the book will be something and then find out it's different (if only slightly).
The essays themselves were of mixed relevance and quality. A few of them were in need of revision, with errors in grammar and phrase construction (English isn't my first language and yet I still noticed them), but overall the quality was excellent, and a few of them explored issues and details of exhibition making that I haven't seen explored elsewhere. Ingrid Schaffner's essay on wall text, and Robert Storr's "Show and Tell", were particularly useful.
A great resource for students and professionals.
Theoretically, the essays attempt to tackle the extremely vague and open question that lends itself to the title of the book, and in order to do so, the editor sent a list of questions to the contributors for them to work as they saw fit (this list is available to the reader in the form of a bookmark, besides being part of the cover's original design). However, I found that a lot of the essays didn't actually attempt to answer that question, and instead explored other themes related to curating; that wasn't a problem to me, since they were still interesting and informative, it just feels a bit strange to be told that the book will be something and then find out it's different (if only slightly).
The essays themselves were of mixed relevance and quality. A few of them were in need of revision, with errors in grammar and phrase construction (English isn't my first language and yet I still noticed them), but overall the quality was excellent, and a few of them explored issues and details of exhibition making that I haven't seen explored elsewhere. Ingrid Schaffner's essay on wall text, and Robert Storr's "Show and Tell", were particularly useful.
A great resource for students and professionals.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is amazing! It offers everything I wanted to know about producing and curating an Exhibition, giving practical tips and an overview of the art world as it is.
The complete, must-have guide for artists, curators and art students in general.
Highly recommended.
The complete, must-have guide for artists, curators and art students in general.
Highly recommended.
Format:Paperback
This is one of those books that I dip into and go back to time and again. This collection of essays includes interesting insights, thought-provoking ideas and inspiration for artists and curators alike.
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