Graduate Student Book Critique and Presentation

Due: Due dates follow the topic of the book and are listed beside each book.
Value: Critical thinking, more in depth knowledge of topica discussed in class, familiarity with "classics" in the field of Contemporary World Arts, and 20% of your grade

Select a book from the list given below (one student to each book, please). Please e-mail me your choice--I will assign these on a first come first served basis.

Johanna Drucker. Sweet Dreams: Contemporary Art and Complicty. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005. 709.049 (U.S.)

Jean Johnson, Ed. Exploring Contemporary Craft: Histoy Theory, and Critical Writing. Toronto: Coach House Books with The Craft Studio at Harbourfront Centre: 2002. 745.5 E96 (Canadian)

Thompson, Don. The $12 Million Stufffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.709/049 T469t (British

Sarah Thornton. Seven Days in the Art World. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2008. 709.5 T514s (Canadian)

Peter Timms, What's Wrong with Contmemporary Art? Sydney: University of New South Wales, 2004. 709.05 T584w (Australian)

In composing your review (approximately 6-7 typed, double spaced pages in length), please address the following:

What are the major themes/theories of this book? What evidence does the author offer in support of these theories? (please note that in the case of the contemporary craft book you will have more than one author and more than one theme/theory, etc.)

What sources does the author utilize to draw his/her sense of contemporary art today?

What attitudes does this author seem to hold towards contemporary art?

What information about contemporary art was new to you? Can you relate this information to any personal experiences?

How do you think the information/perspective in this book may inpact you and your work?

What was your overall impression of the book?