How is it August already? Summers in the Hamptons always seem to fly by! To unwind a bit, we have composed a list of art books we would recommend to read on these fleeting summer days.
Included in this month’s list of new book releases relating to art are: “Hurricane Waves,” “Alex Katz, This is Now,” “Oliver Ranch,” “River Crossings: Contemporary Art Comes Home,” “The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World,” and “Pierre Huyghe: The Roof Garden Commission.”
“Hurricane Waves”
To photograph storm-tossed waves during a hurricane, Clifford Ross goes into the surf himself, deploying a wetsuit, flotation vest, and a rope that tethers him to his assistant back on the beach. The result is a series of dramatic black and white photographs that are among Ross's best-known works. This book collects for the first time the entire "Hurricane Waves" series (begun in 1996), presenting black and white tri-tone images of all eighty-four of the "Hurricane Waves" in the series, along with detailed close ups and historical color images. It accompanies an exhibition at MASS MoCA (on view through March 30, 2016). Texts by Phong Bui, Jay Clarke, Orville Schell, and Joseph Thompson.
BASIC FACTS: “Hurricane Waves” is written by Clifford Ross and J A. Clarke (Editor). Published by The MIT Press. Co-published with MASS MoCA. Release Date: August 7, 2015. Hardcover; 192 pages; $49.95.
“Alex Katz, This Is Now”
Over the course of a seven-decade career, American artist Alex Katz (b. 1927) has conveyed his singular vision of the world through paintings that fuse realism and abstraction, allowing details to dissolve into bold swaths of color. Though perhaps best known for his portraits, Katz has consistently painted the natural world throughout his career, particularly over the past decade. This publication takes a fresh look at his landscape paintings through the themes of nature, perception, the passage of time, and contemporary notions of the sublime. Featuring works of art from the 1950s to today, “Alex Katz, This Is Now” is the most extensive look at Katz’s treatment of landscape in nearly 20 years. The book includes essays by curator Michael Rooks, art critic Margaret Graham, and David Salle, and poems by John Godfrey and Vincent Katz, an art critic and the artist's son.
BASIC FACTS: “Alex Katz, This Is Now” is written by Michael Rooks, Margaret Graham, John Godfrey, Vincent Katz, and David Salle. Published by High Museum of Art. Release Date: August 4, 2015. Hardcover; 176 pages; $45.00.
“Oliver Ranch”
The ongoing project that Steve and Nancy Oliver have developed over the last 30 years has no obvious parallel in the history of art collecting. Beginning in 1985, their ranch in Northern California has been the site for dozens of commissions, site-specific and permanent outdoor works, by some of the most significant artists of the twentieth century. The likes of Bruce Nauman, Richard Serra, Ann Hamilton, Martin Puryear, Andy Goldsworthy and many others have constructed works, with the active support of the Olivers. “Oliver Ranch” is the first published look at the outdoor sculpture collection. Including a major essay plus individual texts on each commission by Joan Simon, and filled with interviews, artist statements, plans, archival photographs and new photography, this book charts the history of the project through each commission, through the eyes of the artists and the Olivers.
BASIC FACTS: “Oliver Ranch” is written by Joan Simon. Published by Gregory R. Miller & Co. Release Date: August 25, 2015. Hardcover; 296 pages; $60.00.
“River Crossings: Contemporary Art Comes Home”
The works of art selected for “River Crossing” will be shown at two venues (Olana, Hudson, NY, and the Thomas Cole Site, Catskill, NY) to encourage visitors to experience both of the distinguished properties. They also will present a complete overview and understanding of the contemporary works in a location where many art historians believe American art was born. The exhibition's catalogue will provide readers with a record of this innovative exhibition and will offer informative perspectives on the continuity of the American artistic tradition in one of the nation's most historic locations. Published to accompany exhibitions at Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill, NY, on view through November 1, 2015.
BASIC FACTS: “River Crossings: Contemporary Art Comes Home” is written by Stephen Hannok, Ken Burns, Jason Rosenfeld, Maurice Beger, Marvin Heiferman, Sarah Griffin, Elizabeth Jacks, and Adam Gopnik. Published by The Artist Book Foundation. Release Date: August 26, 2015. $34.00.
“The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World”
Anthony M. Amore's “The Art of the Con” tells the stories of some of history's most notorious yet untold cons. They involve stolen art hidden for decades; elaborate ruses that involve the Nazis and allegedly plundered art; the theft of a conceptual prototype from a well-known artist by his assistant to be used later to create copies; the use of online and television auction sites to scam buyers out of millions; and other confidence scams incredible not only for their boldness but more so because they actually worked. Using interviews and newly released court documents, “The Art of the Con” will also take the reader into the investigations that led to the capture of the con men, who oftentimes return back to the world of crime.
BASIC FACTS: “The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World” is written by Anthony M. Amore. Published by St. Martin’s Press. Release Date: July 14, 2015. Hardcover; 272 pages; $26.00.
“Pierre Huyghe: The Roof Garden Commission”
French conceptual artist Pierre Huyghe (b. 1962) is known for experimental works that employ a variety of media, including photography, film, drawing, sculpture, music, public happenings and living organisms. This book presents Huyghe’s site-specific installation for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Roof Garden, and contextualizes this work within his career. The publication includes full-color images of a number of Huyghe’s celebrated works as well as a fold-out poster cover of the installation. An interview with Huyghe by Sheena Wagstaff allows this artist to explain his work directly to the reader. An essential companion to the must-see Roof Garden installation, this book provides a focused study of one of today’s most fascinating contemporary artists. “The Roof Garden Commission: Pierre Huyghe” is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York through November 1, 2015.
BASIC FACTS: “Pierre Huyghe: The Roof Garden Commission” is written by Ian Alteveer and Sheena Wagstaff. Published by Metropolitan Museum of Art. Release Date: July 7, 2015. Paperback; 64 pages; $9.95.
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