dkrane's review against another edition
5.0
Clear-eyed and practical about the precarity artists face in this digital age of inequality, the book is illuminating in its portrait of the challenges of modern art making, the difficult path of careers in the arts (we’re all entrepreneurs now), and the need to organize to create a better landscape moving forward.
dillarhonda's review against another edition
One of the worst things about being an artist, suggests William Deresiewicz, is that everyone thinks they can be one. Through The Death of the Artist, Deresiewicz drills down into the changes in the art world that have almost universally been detrimental to the making of art and of artists. From internet piracy to professionalizing masters programs, proliferation of middle men to the insidious suggestion that the internet “leveled the playing field,” each new point will cause a sharp spike of pain for anyone who currently has artistic aspirations. Artists, are now expected to come to the market pre-packaged, self-branded, and often, independently financed. The dirty secret of the industry is that it is just that, an industry – with supply and demand, producers and consumers. Through destroying the myth of the outside artist, Deresiewicz clarifies how far our modern arts market has come from the age of the Renaissance. Romanticizing art, he underlines, is a quick way to fail.
miguelf's review against another edition
4.0
The author definitely captured the plight of creatives especially regarding their ruinous pecuniary situation. With the real life examples of musicians who I would have thought would be fairly financially secure, it was a real eye opener on just how difficult it is to be in their shoes. Also the topics of fat tails, artist exposure, and consolidation of the marketplace for ‘art’ are all discussed, sometimes in a bit too much depth but satisfying overall.
jack_reid's review against another edition
4.0
Deresiewicz is an insightful critic offering a fact-based portrait of today's artists. I previously read [b:Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life|18775383|Excellent Sheep The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life|William Deresiewicz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408319760l/18775383._SX50_.jpg|26680516] a couple years ago (while attending an elite graduate education). I saw this book while browsing the shelves at my local bookstore.
For background, my wife is an artistic person. She is compelled to create and express herself through painting and writing. From my perspective, she's an artist. But she's stuck in a job as a graphic designer (despite training as an architect) to make money. Hence, she paints on the weekends when she work isn't overwhelming. And she doesn't have the time to create the art she wants to create.
She's the reason I read this book. She wants to quit, and try to work as an artist. But, how do you participate in the market without being of the market? If that question interests you, read this book.
For background, my wife is an artistic person. She is compelled to create and express herself through painting and writing. From my perspective, she's an artist. But she's stuck in a job as a graphic designer (despite training as an architect) to make money. Hence, she paints on the weekends when she work isn't overwhelming. And she doesn't have the time to create the art she wants to create.
She's the reason I read this book. She wants to quit, and try to work as an artist. But, how do you participate in the market without being of the market? If that question interests you, read this book.
alexanderp's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
A pretty solid overview of the current state of artists amidst our culture, economy, and society. There isn't a lot that Deresiewicz can sugar coat and while I might disagree with some of his presumptions (I understand him to be a realist) - I can't help but admire his willingness to objectively look at the trends and give us the truth.
I did feel like the middle of the book dragged with all of the somewhat brief testimonies from various artists across the mediums, but otherwise, the beginning and ending were the strongest parts. A must-read for any artist who dreams of "making it."
I did feel like the middle of the book dragged with all of the somewhat brief testimonies from various artists across the mediums, but otherwise, the beginning and ending were the strongest parts. A must-read for any artist who dreams of "making it."
jumbleread's review against another edition
5.0
Many important themes about art in our world and being an artist. Would highly recommend.