Essential Art Books - Part 1

 

Essential to me, that is - who else? 

I wondered recently, again, which Art books I'd save from that hypothetical burning house or to read on that desert island or, even, to keep should I have to sell off virtually all my books. Yes, I may have started such a list before - I can't remember - and The Past on this blog isn't a place I visit. So here we go...

This Was Tomorrow (2017)

First, not because it's Number One but because I recently looked at it again. I wrote about before here. In these lists I don't intend to say a lot because that's the only way I'll get them done. The large format, great reproductions, layout and design make this essential for those interested in British Pop Art. 

Art of the Sixties - 4th revised edition (1970)

Again, previously written about here. It's a beast. You grapple with it...and it wins, thanks to the industrial design by none other than Wolf Vostell. It's sheer presence on the shelves causes all other books to tremble with fear. If there was a fire, it would probably be the only thing left. The most intimidating book ever made...probably.

Manifesto - Mimo Rotella (2019)

Not the largest format book available on Rotella, but the most comprehensive. Sorry about the slightly blurred photos but I've just had a coffee. That and my eyeball frenzy from revisiting these great books! Good essays, biographical material, photos and words from The Man. You need one book about him and it's this. 

Robert Rauschenberg: Retrospective (1998)

Another monster, probably too large to carry out of the burning house, but I'd try! 26.04 x 5.72 x 29.85 cm and 629 pages. I cycled home with this - yes, I really did. The trouble is I need to join a gym and pump iron to be able to handle it with greater ease. As it is, it sits there, monolithic, daring me to pick it up. But in the name of telling you which Art books you really should own, I managed it this morning. It's a comprehensive and definitive as you would expect from such a monumental publishing venture. 

Dieter Roth: Graphic Works (2003)

One of a three-volume set. I could have chosen any of them. There are quite a few books on Roth but these three published by Hansjörg Mayer (who else?) are essential, containing as they do all the works in different categories. Best accompanied by Collected Interviews for insights into the Crazy Mind of Dieter Roth; genius, thinker, drinker and rebel. Roth may be the ultimate litmus test of someone's Art Appreciation. Why? Because he draws like a mad man, made ridiculous books, included foodstuff in his objects and generally created a body of work that would baffle any philistine. The antithesis of AI crap. Proof, if any were needed, that no artificial intelligence program can match humans when it comes to great Art.

That's the end of the first batch. Look out for the next installment. You'll thank me one day!