Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Grundberg, former New York Times photography critic, is a vibrant, opinionated, authoritative guide to the medium’s past and present.”—Jackie Wullschläger, Financial Times, “Best Books of 2021: Visual Arts”
“[A] fine book . . . a personal yet balanced account.”—Michael S. Roth, Washington Post
“A must-read for photography enthusiasts.”—Shannon Marie Robinson, Library Journal
“An excellent history.”—Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution (blog)
“The perfect mix of history and memoir . . . a first-person account from the frontlines.”—Miss Rosen, Blind
“Grundberg convincingly illustrates the ‘artistic revolution’ of his subtitle. . . . A comprehensive and legible introduction. . . . Enlightening, pleasurable, and valuable.”—Tracy Stuber, Afterimage
“A must read for those who want insight into the art world and the art womb of New York City from the turbulent 1970s to the present. Grundberg captures an era and his life in the arts with precision, purpose, and perspicacity.”—Richard Nagler, New York Journal of Books
“In this appealing narrative, which combines learned analysis with autobiography, Grundberg argues for photography’s emergence as a fully ‘autonomous’ art form, on a par with painting and sculpture. . . . . Grundberg’s narrative, supplemented by excellent illustrations, sparkles with the excitement that gripped the art scene of which he was a part.”—W. S. Rodner, CHOICE
“An important text for anyone interested in the inner workings of the photo boom and the lens’ connection to art [and] a valuable resource for historians of photography and the growth of contemporary art.”—New Mexico Historical Review
CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2022
“As one of the top photo critics and curators of the 1980s and ’90s, Andy Grundberg had a firsthand view as photography became a driving force in the art world, and it shows in his smart and personal book. How Photography Became Contemporary Art bears witness to one of the great transformations in 20th-century culture.”—Blake Gopnik, author of Warhol
“Andy Grundberg, with his gentle and unprejudiced manner, created a platform for photographic imagery of all kinds not only through his critical writing but also by his mere presence from the 1970s through the ’90s. His writing about the photography of an era, as well as his relationships with its pivotal players, preserves the spirit of that moment through his deep affection and understanding of the whole big picture.”—Tina Barney
“Grundberg writes candidly and anecdotally, weaving a compelling narrative through more than twenty years of events and exhibitions. Written in concise, engaging language, this amazing book vividly brings to life my own early years in New York, capturing the irreverent, experimental, exuberant spirit of the times.”—Sandy Skoglund
“Grundberg is one of the great writers on the recent history of photography. His first-person account precisely documents an era that now seems inconceivable, when the contemporary art scene didn’t recognize photography as art. Grundberg was there and his activism and criticism were part of the radical shift that has made photography central to the art world.”—Mike and Doug Starn
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Reflective
What a swell ride! Andy Grundberg smoothly leads us along a tour of transformation as the contemporary art world dramatically shifts to embrace photography. This smart and thoughtful new book leaves you with a deep appreciation not only of the medium, but of the rich storytelling of a leading critic and curator who skillfully pairs his love of photography with sharp insight.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great history of the New York Photography scene
This book gives you a great insiders look at the New York art world from the 70s on. Of course it centers on Photography , but really gives you a look at the ideas that shaped all the work. Definitely a great read.
3.0 out of 5 stars Names and Dates
History can be studied as battles and dates and the names of kings, or it can be the study of the changes and movements in societies; the cultural, economic and other causes; and the results of these changes and movements. Andy Grundberg follows the first course.Grundberg was the New York Times photography guru between 1981 and 1991, and thus was "present at the creation" of the artistic revolution which he discusses. The book is both memoir and reporting. As is clear from the title Grundberg seeks to tell how photography became contemporary art. The book raises the question of how craft turns into art, but never answers the question. Instead, he provides long lists of photographers and galleries and the dates that these photographers appeared (or didn't appear) at these galleries. That this is his approach is emphasized by the back cover of the book jacket, which is merely a list of the photographers mentioned in the book, without further comment. The book contains a sample of photographs by many of the photographers, but having seen many of the originals, they lose something in reduced sizeWas there somehow always a demand for these photographers that galleries only discovered during this artistic revolution when the galleries needed to increase their income because of thinning margins? Had a new way of looking at art crept into society, because of the art introduced by the abstract expressionists? Did digital photography actually create new ways of seeing? I don't mean to suggest these were the causes of the revolution, but I would have expected Grundberg to examine questions like these. He didn't.Grundberg fails to mention whether the phenomena he chronicles appealed primarily to the coastal elites, and was ignored in fly-over country. My guess is that many more people in the center of the country were looking at pictures by say, Ansel Adams, then at the work of the photographers mentioned in this book. He also seems to show a certain insensitivity to public reaction to some of the art he discusses. If one is offended by a photograph of a crucifix in what purports to be urine (I am not), does it make it any less offensive if it is a plastic crucifix.It's really too bad. We could have used the insight.
3.0 out of 5 stars A cross between an art history and a biography.
The book is an interesting view of the evolving acceptance of photography as art mingled with the author's personal history as a reviewer.
1.0 out of 5 stars Mostly just name dropping and rants
The most useless book that's just a series of names with some anecdotes inbetween. Can't understand why anyone likes this. It's useless.Oh and why can't this dude shut up about female critics?? Like at this point I'm so sure he hates Susan Sontag and is trying to justify it with weak and vague criticism.
good easy read
a good quick overview of recent art history
showed the human side
It illustrates how technical progress democratises a technical skill and makes it an accessible art form. Great book.
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How Photography Became Contemporary Art: Inside an Artistic Revolution from Pop to the Digital Age
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Visit the Yale University Press Store
How Photography Became Contemporary Art: Inside an Artistic Revolution from Pop to the Digital Age
AED18542
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Grundberg, former New York Times photography critic, is a vibrant, opinionated, authoritative guide to the medium’s past and present.”—Jackie Wullschläger, Financial Times, “Best Books of 2021: Visual Arts”
“[A] fine book . . . a personal yet balanced account.”—Michael S. Roth, Washington Post
“A must-read for photography enthusiasts.”—Shannon Marie Robinson, Library Journal
“An excellent history.”—Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution (blog)
“The perfect mix of history and memoir . . . a first-person account from the frontlines.”—Miss Rosen, Blind
“Grundberg convincingly illustrates the ‘artistic revolution’ of his subtitle. . . . A comprehensive and legible introduction. . . . Enlightening, pleasurable, and valuable.”—Tracy Stuber, Afterimage
“A must read for those who want insight into the art world and the art womb of New York City from the turbulent 1970s to the present. Grundberg captures an era and his life in the arts with precision, purpose, and perspicacity.”—Richard Nagler, New York Journal of Books
“In this appealing narrative, which combines learned analysis with autobiography, Grundberg argues for photography’s emergence as a fully ‘autonomous’ art form, on a par with painting and sculpture. . . . . Grundberg’s narrative, supplemented by excellent illustrations, sparkles with the excitement that gripped the art scene of which he was a part.”—W. S. Rodner, CHOICE
“An important text for anyone interested in the inner workings of the photo boom and the lens’ connection to art [and] a valuable resource for historians of photography and the growth of contemporary art.”—New Mexico Historical Review
CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2022
“As one of the top photo critics and curators of the 1980s and ’90s, Andy Grundberg had a firsthand view as photography became a driving force in the art world, and it shows in his smart and personal book. How Photography Became Contemporary Art bears witness to one of the great transformations in 20th-century culture.”—Blake Gopnik, author of Warhol
“Andy Grundberg, with his gentle and unprejudiced manner, created a platform for photographic imagery of all kinds not only through his critical writing but also by his mere presence from the 1970s through the ’90s. His writing about the photography of an era, as well as his relationships with its pivotal players, preserves the spirit of that moment through his deep affection and understanding of the whole big picture.”—Tina Barney
“Grundberg writes candidly and anecdotally, weaving a compelling narrative through more than twenty years of events and exhibitions. Written in concise, engaging language, this amazing book vividly brings to life my own early years in New York, capturing the irreverent, experimental, exuberant spirit of the times.”—Sandy Skoglund
“Grundberg is one of the great writers on the recent history of photography. His first-person account precisely documents an era that now seems inconceivable, when the contemporary art scene didn’t recognize photography as art. Grundberg was there and his activism and criticism were part of the radical shift that has made photography central to the art world.”—Mike and Doug Starn
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Reflective
What a swell ride! Andy Grundberg smoothly leads us along a tour of transformation as the contemporary art world dramatically shifts to embrace photography. This smart and thoughtful new book leaves you with a deep appreciation not only of the medium, but of the rich storytelling of a leading critic and curator who skillfully pairs his love of photography with sharp insight.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great history of the New York Photography scene
This book gives you a great insiders look at the New York art world from the 70s on. Of course it centers on Photography , but really gives you a look at the ideas that shaped all the work. Definitely a great read.
3.0 out of 5 stars Names and Dates
History can be studied as battles and dates and the names of kings, or it can be the study of the changes and movements in societies; the cultural, economic and other causes; and the results of these changes and movements. Andy Grundberg follows the first course.Grundberg was the New York Times photography guru between 1981 and 1991, and thus was "present at the creation" of the artistic revolution which he discusses. The book is both memoir and reporting. As is clear from the title Grundberg seeks to tell how photography became contemporary art. The book raises the question of how craft turns into art, but never answers the question. Instead, he provides long lists of photographers and galleries and the dates that these photographers appeared (or didn't appear) at these galleries. That this is his approach is emphasized by the back cover of the book jacket, which is merely a list of the photographers mentioned in the book, without further comment. The book contains a sample of photographs by many of the photographers, but having seen many of the originals, they lose something in reduced sizeWas there somehow always a demand for these photographers that galleries only discovered during this artistic revolution when the galleries needed to increase their income because of thinning margins? Had a new way of looking at art crept into society, because of the art introduced by the abstract expressionists? Did digital photography actually create new ways of seeing? I don't mean to suggest these were the causes of the revolution, but I would have expected Grundberg to examine questions like these. He didn't.Grundberg fails to mention whether the phenomena he chronicles appealed primarily to the coastal elites, and was ignored in fly-over country. My guess is that many more people in the center of the country were looking at pictures by say, Ansel Adams, then at the work of the photographers mentioned in this book. He also seems to show a certain insensitivity to public reaction to some of the art he discusses. If one is offended by a photograph of a crucifix in what purports to be urine (I am not), does it make it any less offensive if it is a plastic crucifix.It's really too bad. We could have used the insight.
3.0 out of 5 stars A cross between an art history and a biography.
The book is an interesting view of the evolving acceptance of photography as art mingled with the author's personal history as a reviewer.
1.0 out of 5 stars Mostly just name dropping and rants
The most useless book that's just a series of names with some anecdotes inbetween. Can't understand why anyone likes this. It's useless.Oh and why can't this dude shut up about female critics?? Like at this point I'm so sure he hates Susan Sontag and is trying to justify it with weak and vague criticism.
good easy read
a good quick overview of recent art history
showed the human side
It illustrates how technical progress democratises a technical skill and makes it an accessible art form. Great book.
More from this brand
Similar items from “Criticism & Essays”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0300234104