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bootman's review against another edition
4.0
This book was extremely well written and researched to discuss the difficulties of being a creative in this day and age. I would highly recommend this book to young people who are passionate about art and are thinking of turning it into a career because this book has a lot of truth about how difficult that can be. Although the majority of this book discusses the problems with trying to survive as an artist during this time, I think it did a great job summarizing some solutions in the concluding chapter.
As a creative myself, I was torn about this book. A lot of people can benefit from this book, but personally, it felt like there was a lot of entitlement throughout the book. While the world does need artists, it almost felt like the artists interviewed and the author knew of a mythical time when artists thrive, but that's not the case. As long as being an artist has been a thing, they've struggled, and I personally think that's fair. It's a big ask to want to do something you love and make a significant amount doing it; especially when art is so subjective.
Aside from some of what I felt was entitlement, there were a lot of good conversations about copyright and how Big Tech is screwing over artists. I enjoyed the book and recommended it, but only for the aspect that it helps people realize that being an artist as your career isn't a logical decision. Not only is it not a logical decision, but it never has been, and it never will be due to the nature of art.
As a creative myself, I was torn about this book. A lot of people can benefit from this book, but personally, it felt like there was a lot of entitlement throughout the book. While the world does need artists, it almost felt like the artists interviewed and the author knew of a mythical time when artists thrive, but that's not the case. As long as being an artist has been a thing, they've struggled, and I personally think that's fair. It's a big ask to want to do something you love and make a significant amount doing it; especially when art is so subjective.
Aside from some of what I felt was entitlement, there were a lot of good conversations about copyright and how Big Tech is screwing over artists. I enjoyed the book and recommended it, but only for the aspect that it helps people realize that being an artist as your career isn't a logical decision. Not only is it not a logical decision, but it never has been, and it never will be due to the nature of art.
kristinshafel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
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."