Join Books.org — it's free

Modern Art
How to Survive Modern Art by Susie Hodge — book cover

How to Survive Modern Art

by Susie Hodge
Available on Bookshop Write a review

Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Log in to track your reading progress.

Overview

Modern art arouses many different responses. Suspicion, controversy, and misunderstanding are among the most frequent. But it doesn’t need to be like that! Here is a clear, accessible, fully illustrated introduction to what can otherwise seem like a daunting subject.

 

Covering everything from Impressionism to the Harlem Renaissance, from Cézanne to Postmodernism, in clearly laid-out sections illustrated in full color, this book answers the need for a thorough yet manageable guide to art in the modern world. With the authority of Tate, one of the world’s greatest museums of modern art, combined with clear text and superb illustrations, this book presents everything necessary for a basic grounding in the subject.

With sections that cover the major movements and artists in the history of modern art as well as introductions to its major themes, together with suggested ways of looking at modern art and tips on where to see it, as well as a glossary of key terms, How to Survive Modern Art is the ideal book for anyone wanting to come to grips with this fascinating subject.

Synopsis

Modern art arouses many different responses. Suspicion, controversy, and misunderstanding are among the most frequent. But it doesn’t need to be like that! Here is a clear, accessible, fully illustrated introduction to what can otherwise seem like a daunting subject.

 

Covering everything from Impressionism to the Harlem Renaissance, from Cézanne to Postmodernism, in clearly laid-out sections illustrated in full color, this book answers the need for a thorough yet manageable guide to art in the modern world. With the authority of Tate, one of the world’s greatest museums of modern art, combined with clear text and superb illustrations, this book presents everything necessary for a basic grounding in the subject.

With sections that cover the major movements and artists in the history of modern art as well as introductions to its major themes, together with suggested ways of looking at modern art and tips on where to see it, as well as a glossary of key terms, How to Survive Modern Art is the ideal book for anyone wanting to come to grips with this fascinating subject.

Publishers Weekly

In this striking introduction to modern art, Hodge chronologically surveys significant movements and styles from art nouveau to postmodernism and digital art, while spotlighting artists such as Giacometti, Chagall, Hopper, and Hirst. Full-color images appear on every page, along with paragraphs highlighting specific artists, works, and the influence of historical events. Asides zoom in on topics for discussion or contemplation—concerning modern sculpture, Hodge asks, “Why have so many artists focused on imagination, emotion and purity? If you were a sculptor, what would you focus on?” The extensive glossaries of terms, movements, and artists are invaluable, and readers of all ages should appreciate that the emphasis is not on “what” to think about art, but “how.” Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

About the Author, Susie Hodge

Susie Hodge has written over 30 books on art history and practical art, and has many years’ experience teaching art, design, and art history to a wide range of age groups.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Stephanie Mills

How to Survive Modern Art acts as an indispensable guide to contemporary art and architecture, complete with glossary, timelines, guides to looking at modern art, contextual information, and quotes from artists. This book intends to introduce the reader to the world of modern, unique, thought-provoking, and truly bizarre pieces of art by carefully introducing and explaining each one in context with other similar works. This informational book displays full-color artwork alongside descriptions of the piece, its context, its artist, and various techniques used in the work. The "Art in Context" box on each page describes something unique or useful about the piece, such as references to historical events. Experts and novices alike will appreciate this useful overview of modern art, with its color pictures and easy-to-read format. By grouping pieces of art, digital art, and architecture in an organized format, Hodge makes the confusing subject of modern art accessible to everyone. Reviewer: Stephanie Mills

VOYA - Jamie Hansen

Exhilarating, confusing, disturbing, stimulating, perplexing—all these can describe our responses to modern art. Some viewers feel their spirits lifted by and pulses racing to the beat of Mondrian's "Broadway Boogie Woogie." For other observers, art in the modern world is a series of mean-spirited hoaxes by artists out to shock or dupe their public, eliciting comments about wet watches, melting faces, or toddlers throwing paint. For readers who complain that they cannot understand modern paintings and sculpture, urge them to dip into How to Survive Modern Art. Art historian Susie Hodge offers a lucid and understandable guide for anyone puzzled or horrified by art that does not exemplify photographic realism. In admirably clear and non-condescending prose, with only a few lapses into excessive cleverness, the author explains the how and why of art from Impressionism to digital. Beautifully reproduced illustrations depict works both well-known and obscure. Numerous sidebars, labeled "Facts in a Frame" and "Art in Context," add valuable background information on artists and their milieus, artistic movements, and historical perspective. For anyone who has ever struggled with the idea of urinals, soup cans, or monochrome canvasses as art, this book is a thoroughly delightful necessity. A timeline, list of artistic movements, brief biographies of artists discussed in the text, and a list of galleries and museums add usefulness to the work. Librarians may recommend it without hesitation to any patrons from young teens to adults who look at modern art and wonder why. Reviewer: Jamie Hansen

Publishers Weekly

In this striking introduction to modern art, Hodge chronologically surveys significant movements and styles from art nouveau to postmodernism and digital art, while spotlighting artists such as Giacometti, Chagall, Hopper, and Hirst. Full-color images appear on every page, along with paragraphs highlighting specific artists, works, and the influence of historical events. Asides zoom in on topics for discussion or contemplation—concerning modern sculpture, Hodge asks, “Why have so many artists focused on imagination, emotion and purity? If you were a sculptor, what would you focus on?” The extensive glossaries of terms, movements, and artists are invaluable, and readers of all ages should appreciate that the emphasis is not on “what” to think about art, but “how.” Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

Book Details

Published
March 1, 2010
Publisher
Tate Publishing
Pages
128
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781854377494

More by Susie Hodge

Similar books