bibliocamera's review

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4.0

Art fight! Interesting book about the little known to me “Armory” art exhibit in 1913.

edlib's review

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4.0

Art fight! Interesting book about the little known to me “Armory” art exhibit in 1913.

lukedaloop's review

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5.0

A very adept history of the Armory Show: well-written, incredibly well-sourced, and quite entertaining. The history of an art show shouldn't be all that intriguing to anyone outside of the art world, but Lunday does a phenomenal job of crafting characters out of the people involved, creating dramatic tension, and imparting the legacy of the show itself. In a history that could read as poorly as a dry textbook, I was constantly engaged.

It comes highly recommended for anyone interested in art at any level or discipline, lovers of history, or just individuals looking for an intriguing and overlooked part of our cultural history.

elisabethei85's review against another edition

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informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

neftzger's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a book for fans of modern art as well as individuals who work in the arts. While other types of artists may not be as interested in some of the political specifics of fine art, these types of "in-group" and 'out group" divisions exist in nearly all industries. Very innovative individuals are often kept on the fringes while the current state of affairs attempts to maintain itself in a position of power. What's interesting about this book is how some of these outsiders put together a show that caused an upheaval in the art world. At the same time, the most inspiring aspect of the book is that now that we're 100 years from the incident that set things in motion, we see how much of an impact the show made on the industry. The book shows that it's possible to make a significant difference.

maliajackson's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was so interesting. As someone who loves art but has no formal education in it whatsoever, I enjoyed learning about the various movements discussed in the book, the influence of Europe and the striving to identify what art is identifiably or quintessentially "American." I love thinking of a time when an art show could essentially be a meme. I think so many of the kneejerk reactions from 1913 are still so present among people today who are uncomfortable around art that might present a little bit of a challenge.

What FASCINATES me is that so much of what was actually at the Armory Show has been lost to history???? There was an embroiderer whose work was displayed and we just don't know what avant garde 1913 embroidery looked like??? It's tragic.
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