Michelle Kamhi
  • Home
  • About MMK
    • Biography
    • Key Publications by MMK
    • Media/News
  • Who Says That’s Art?
    • About the Book
    • Contents
    • Introductory Chapter
    • Images of Works Cited
    • Review Excerpts
    • What Readers Say
    • Artworld Myths Debunked
    • Honors
    • Supporters
    • Where to Buy Who Says That’s Art?
  • Bucking the Artworld
    • About the Book
    • Preface
    • Images of Works Cited
    • Reviews
    • Publicity
  • Blog
  • Other Work
    • On Art Education
    • What Art Is
    • Aristos
  • Contact
  • Search

About the Book

Who Says That's Art - cover - medium -2

Who Says That’s Art?
A Commonsense View of the Visual Arts

by Michelle Marder Kamhi

Pro Arte Books, 2014
Paperback, 336 pages (indexed), ISBN 978-0-9906057-0-6
Kindle, ISBN 978-0-9906057-1-3
EPub, ISBN 978-0-9906057-2-0

 

Today’s artworld experts accept virtually anything as art. But many art lovers reject the “cutting-edge” inventions that fill museums and galleries of “contemporary art” worldwide.

Who Says That’s Art? explains why their view is right and the would-be experts are wrong. Drawing on evidence ranging from anthropology to recent findings of neuroscience, it offers a vigorous yet readily understandable defense of the public’s commonsense view of art. It also provides fresh insight into genuine art across the wide spectrum of art history, including both recent work and masterpieces from the past (see Table of Contents and Artworld Myths Debunked).

If you think that art should look more like this. . .

Montage of good art

than like this. . .
Montage of bad art

Who Says That’s Art? will help you understand why you are right and critics and curators of “contemporary art” are largely mistaken.

Praise for Who Says That’s Art?

“Forceful and persuasive. . . . An impressive companion for advanced studies in visual arts, accessible enough for general-interest readers.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Kamhi’s scrutiny is unerring. . . . providing non-specialists with a scholarly yet accessible account that not only explains how to distinguish genuine art but also promises to enhance its appreciation.” — Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review

“If like most people you are confused by the extremes of ‘contemporary art,’ this book is a must read. Kamhi applies a lifetime of experience to the task of clarifying the murky realm of artworld theory. Concisely addressing and clarifying all the main issues, she shows why much contemporary work shouldn’t qualify as art at all. In addition, she provides a sound basis for appreciating real art, both new and old.” — John Nutt, painter and art educator (U.K.)

See more Reviews and What Readers Say.
[Introductory Chapter].

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to MMK's blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

In This Section

  • About the Book
  • Contents
  • Introductory Chapter
  • Images of Works Cited
  • Review Excerpts
    • Review by Art Educator
  • What Readers Say
  • Artworld Myths Debunked
  • Honors
  • Supporters
  • Where to Buy Who Says That’s Art?

Share This Website

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on google
Google
Share on email
Email

{*} ©2023 Michelle Kamhi :: Site by KPFdigital :: Admin Login

Cleantalk Pixel