How to Survive Modern Art

How To Survive Modern Art by Susie Hodge (Tate) ISBN: 978-1-85437-749-4

Plot Summary

How To Survive Modern Art is a concise work that provides some context and discussion of modern art from its roots in impressionism and earlier influences through digital art.  The sections are brief and written plainly; they include many pictures of works with descriptions and context about them.  Each section includes a panel titled "Art in Context" that suggests questions to ask or gives important background for understanding the movement or artist.  Art is always produced in reaction to something -- an emotion, an event, a political intrigue.  But when art was representative, it was less important that we knew the "message" of a work or even its context to understand it.  Hodges makes clear that with non-representative art this artistic vacuum has been burst.  It's imperative to know about the historical or political or philosophical context of a work.  Important movements and artists in the book include: Fauvism, Cubism, Dada, Constructivism & Suprematism, Chagall, Mondrian, Bacon, David Hockney, and Damian Hirst.

Critical Evaluation

How To Survive Modern Art really lives up to its name.  It feels almost like a phrase book you should carry with you into the foreign land of the gallery or art museum.  Hodge's includes yellow insert boxes called "Art in Context."  They frequently give suggestions for questions you can ask of a work.  My favorite questions come in the section on the Young British Artists: 

Does the work have a deeper meaning? If so, what?  If there are meanings, are they worth searching for? How can you tell a good idea from a bad idea?  Now think of it this way: Does it matter if there are no extra meanings? Just because you could have done the work, does that make the work bad or not art?  If you could have done it, does it mean you can take part more? (You might think, 'I'd have done it like this' or 'fancy doing that!' and so on). Is it meant to be taken seriously? A lot of art is meant to make us smile or even laugh.

Like a phrasebook, though, How To Survive Modern Art has its limitations.  The amount of space dedicated to each section is rather small -- just enough for a taste test.  It can't substitute for an art history class or for trips to the gallery.  But the book (and the price of admission) is enough to get your foot in the door.

Reader’s Annotation

Baffled by modern and contemporary art?  Do you want to know why something that looks like a three year old painted is considered an artistic statement? How To Survive Modern Art can help.

Information about the author

From the author's official website:

Welcome to my website. I'm an author, art historian, historian and artist. As well as non-fiction books for adults and children (currently I have over eighty in print), I also write articles, resources for galleries and museums, and I paint and illustrate.   

Originally a copywriter for the advertising agencies Saatchi & Saatchi and JWT, I began freelancing as a creative consultant, author, journalist and artist, as well as teaching, when my two children were young.  

I've taught in schools and colleges on various subjects; I have been in TV documentaries and on radio programmes and I give talks and lectures all over the country.  

Additionally, I run writing and painting workshops and demonstrations for all age groups and abilities. I have an MA in the History of Art from the University of London, and am an FRSA.  (Hodge, 2013).

Genre

Art History

Curriculum Ties

The book would be a good supplement to an art history class (regardless of whether the class reached as far forward into history as the book does).  It might also be useful for inspiring students in an art class.  They might model works after works in the book or apply the philosophies or concepts to their own work.

Booktalking Ideas

1. Many of the works are arresting or confusing, they would provide a good hook.

2. The questions and contexts that Hodges presents may be useful in getting your audience thinking about why they should even be interested in this book.

Reading Level/Interest Age

9th grade and up.

Challenge Issues

Some of the artwork may be controversial or shocking.  There are some nudes and depictions of violence.
 
I would openly greet any patron who presented a challenge to the work, giving them ample time to detail their complaint.  I would listen attentively.  To respond to these challenges I would have some reviews of the work on hand.   I would be prepared to explain that as a public institution libraries "cannot limit access on the basis of age or other characteristics" (ALA, 1999).  I would have copies of the library's collection policy on hand.  I would be prepared to politely discuss that parents can control what their children are exposed to by coming to the library with them and examining books they check out.  If the Teen Advisory Group had written reviews of the work I'd have them handy.  While it may be of little comfort to certain parents, I would also be prepared to discuss my staunch support of intellectual freedom and abhorrence of censorship.  As a last resort, I would be sure to keep copies or a reconsideration form on hand.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?

As a lover of modern art I realize that sometimes in order to appreciate it, you need some background or context.  This book can help provide a bit of that.

References

American Library Association. (1999). Strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips 

Hodge, S. (2013). Home. Retrieved from http://www.susiehodge.co.uk/