EBOOK
About
The Performing Observer is a collection of short, critical writings on contemporary art, performance, and photography written over the course of the past two decades. These texts were originally published in a variety of settings, including art magazines and exhibition catalogues, online journals and websites.
A wide range of global practitioners are analysed, from emerging to established artists. As the title suggests, Patrick feels that he is simultaneously performing a role while observing and writing about the field. The intention is to present a well-informed but jargon free survey of many significant developments in contemporary art and culture. Among the artists discussed are: Francis Alÿs, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden, William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol.
The book examines an important series of interconnected contemporary art practices. Layering writings on performance-based work, material forms and photography, it positions performance within a larger context. The artists selected are genuinely international with a strong focus on the southern hemisphere, and are grouped together in sections Patrick calls Performance, Photography, Publicness, Video, Books and Exhibitions.
It aims to make sense of a specific modality of art making with an interesting-and to a degree unspoken-interest in art writing itself. Both elements are compelling separately but especially so together.
Accessibly written and especially approachable for a range of interested readers. It offers scholarly and critical depth while retaining a writing style that will appeal beyond a strictly scholarly audience. It will appeal to readers closely involved in contemporary art theory and practice, whether students, artists, academics or simply curious to know more.
A wide range of global practitioners are analysed, from emerging to established artists. As the title suggests, Patrick feels that he is simultaneously performing a role while observing and writing about the field. The intention is to present a well-informed but jargon free survey of many significant developments in contemporary art and culture. Among the artists discussed are: Francis Alÿs, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden, William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol.
The book examines an important series of interconnected contemporary art practices. Layering writings on performance-based work, material forms and photography, it positions performance within a larger context. The artists selected are genuinely international with a strong focus on the southern hemisphere, and are grouped together in sections Patrick calls Performance, Photography, Publicness, Video, Books and Exhibitions.
It aims to make sense of a specific modality of art making with an interesting-and to a degree unspoken-interest in art writing itself. Both elements are compelling separately but especially so together.
Accessibly written and especially approachable for a range of interested readers. It offers scholarly and critical depth while retaining a writing style that will appeal beyond a strictly scholarly audience. It will appeal to readers closely involved in contemporary art theory and practice, whether students, artists, academics or simply curious to know more.
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Reviews
"'Drawing from his encyclopedic grasp of the visual arts and popular culture, Martin Patrick conjures up previously unexplored associations between art, rock music and film in these cogent essays on contemporary art. Whether characterizing visionary photographer William Eggleston as "unequal parts of William Faulkner, Jerry Lee Lewis and Hunter S. Thompson" or handily comparing conceptualist Chris
Barry Blinderman, writer, educator, lecturer and musician
"'Martin Patrick is the humane professor I want to stare down the end of twentieth century art days with. With him, I'm ready to face Anne Noble's "Ice Blink" and the environmental and political corrosion now everywhere on the horizon. In The Performing Observer, Patrick captures art's odd adjacencies and taxonomies, from Iggy Pop stage diving and writhing to a retrospective of senior Aotearoa pai
Megan Dunn, author of Tinderbox and Things I Learned at Art School
"'Retaining an approachable writing style that will appeal to an arts orientated reader whilst offering scholarly and critical depth is a hallmark of The Performing Observer. Engaging with a unique selection of artists, Patrick discusses performance, photography and material forms, speaking indirectly on how to develop and maintain a writing practice in the contemporary arts.'"
David Cross, Deakin University, Australia