What Readers Say about Who Says That’s Art?
“To read by those who still believe that everything can be art and by those who do not dare to say that everything is not art.”
— Ksenia Milicevic, Amazon.fr.
“A well-researched, informed, and serious effort to stimulate a debate about the essential nature of visual art. . . . One need agree with neither its premises nor its conclusions to recognize [it] not only as a valuable tenant on the thoughtful reader’s book case but one that deserves repeated retrieval and engagement.”
— Walter Idlewild on Amazon.com
“Those who have had cause to doubt the authenticity of “contemporary art” will have much to celebrate in this work. In dealing with what is identifiable as fine art, Kamhi gracefully rolls out her argument, making use of references, analysis, and critical insights. Her elaborate endnotes throughout would combine to floor even the deadliest opponent of her views. The onus now lies on readers to apply critical judgment and discretion to what they see.”
— Emmanuel Antwi, Department of Painting and Sculpture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
“My knowledge of Art was non-existent before this book. I, like many people, just speculated that art was [only] for certain people. . . . Wrong was I. I cross-referenced every single art work enumerated in the book [and found] art was for everyone. . . . Reading this book from cover to cover, not only was I able to explore how postmodernist works are alienated from the public and need fixing, but also [that] well-made art works enrich my life.” [read more]
— Jay on Goodreads
“. . . clearly, vigorously, and persuasively argued, and includes fascinating aspects of the history of 20th century art that don’t get played up in the official accounts.”
— James Kalb, “The Best Books I Read in 2015,” Catholic World Report, December 31, 2015
“This week’s recommended book: The most well researched and best written indictment on the scam that is modern art I have ever read. It thoroughly chronicles and explains how the art “movements” of the last 150 years, especially in the areas of abstraction, have been perpetrated on the public, and how devotees of those fads have been completely duped.”
— Robert Florczak, Facebook, November 29, 2015
“This book should be in every school and university library and be accessible to every art student. . . . Thank you, Michelle Kamhi, for giving voice to the silent majority regarding today’s art world. I especially appreciate your strong stance on the role of critics and curators in misleading the public by losing sight of what real art is.”
— Shahnaz Shah, Blairmore, Alberta
“Who Says That’s Art? is a tour de force—offering a unique perspective on contemporary art and its historical precursors. . . . One cannot come away from this impressive undertaking without a more energized mind that is ready to reflect on the contemporary art scene and art education today, rather than just accept the status quo.”
— Elaine Foster, Ed.D., Professor of Art Emeritus
“I am enormously impressed by Who Says That’s Art?. You obviously have done an incredible amount of research and you present it so logically and concisely (without overwhelming the reader) that it’s really a joy to read. Your logical development of ideas makes the phenomenon of modern art seem puny and pathetic. What impresses me most is the great number of quotes from the artists and critics that illustrate their flawed premises, contempt for art, or doubt of their own work. Your book should long serve as both a reference book and a philosophical basis for a reasonable view of art.”
—David Oyerly, Classic Book Shop, Royal Oak, Michigan
“Shapely sentences, carefully carved to hold the essence of thought—shining light on scrambled concepts. Words like buzz saws, clear-cutting the amazing brambles of fantastic nonsense cluttering up the morass of current art speak. Thank you!”
—Diane Viewing, Tucson, Arizona
“Your writing is crisp, powerful, and well researched. Thank you for all that you’re doing to bring much-needed logic, light, and good sense to a confusing art world.”
—Edward Sturr, Photographer (and Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University)
“I’m pleased I read [Who Says That’s Art?]. It’s clear, informative, perceptive, well-written, and jammed with info that doesn’t get played up in the official histories of twentieth century art. [Kamhi has] certainly done her homework. The quotations alone are worth the cost of admission.” [read more, including ongoing discussion]
—James Kalb, “Notes on a book against modernist and postmodernist art”
“I am reading your book and enjoying it very much. I am planning to give each of my graduating students a copy. Everyone should read it. I love how well researched it is, and it is already answering a lot of questions I have had for years about where the bad art came from.”
—Judith Pond Kudlow, Director, NYK Academy
“Who Says That’s Art? is a book that every art educator should read, and read carefully.”
—Kenneth M. Lansing, Professor Emeritus of Art and Design, University of Illinois; author, Art, Artists, and Art Education
“The words of so-called artists are quoted, and their own words damn them. That is perhaps the most important aspect of the book. We learn, for example, that while leading abstract ‘artists’ insisted their work was deeply meaningful, they continually feared it would be experienced as mere decoration. As the author documents, those fears were grounded in reality. Drilling down to the source is one of my favorite aspects of Who Says That’s Art?, and I heap praise on Michelle Kamhi for her painstaking scholarly research.”
—Dan Karlan, co-author of The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived
“You are a very refreshing voice in the world of art. . . . You are like the little girl saying ‘The Emperor Has No Clothes,’ and you are so right.”
—Peter Dunphy, musician (Ireland)
“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.)
“[Given Kamhi’s credentials as] both a scholar and an art critic, one might expect a dry or ponderous rendition, but Who Says That’s Art? is quite the opposite, providing a lively and specific discussion that invites artists, patrons, critics and the general public alike to consider the standards of art and what differentiates real art. . . . a top recommendation for any who would consider the foundations of art, its contemporary applications and critical standards, and who would debate these ideas both within and outside of the artistic community.”
—Diane Donovan, Donovan’s Bookshelf
[See also Reviews.]
