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Art Worlds, 25th Anniversary Edition

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( 351 ratings, 33 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Art Worlds, 25th Anniversary Edition offers a classic sociological analysis of art as collective action. Howard S. Becker examines the cooperative network of suppliers, performers, dealers, critics, and consumers who together with the artist 'produce' a work of art. The book explores the conventions crucial to this process and considers how art is shaped by these social interactions. This edition is updated with a new dialogue between Becker and sociologist Alain Pessin, plus a fresh preface reflecting on the author's experience creating this influential work.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students and scholars of sociology, art history, cultural studies, and anyone interested in the social dynamics that shape artistic creation and appreciation.

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Serves as a sociological examination of art which explores the cooperative network of suppliers, performers, dealers, critics, and consumers who - along with the artist - 'produce' a work of art. This book looks at the conventions essential to this operation and, prospectively, at the extent to which art is shaped by this collective activity.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This classic sociological examination of art as collective action explores the cooperative network of suppliers, performers, dealers, critics, and consumers who—along with the artist—produce a work of art. Howard S. Becker looks at the conventions essential to this operation and, prospectively, at the extent to which art is shaped by this collective activity.

Art Worlds, 25th Anniversary Edition is thoroughly illustrated and updated with a new dialogue between Becker and eminent French sociologist Alain Pessin about the extended social system in which art is created, and with a new preface in which the author talks about his own process in creating this influential work.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"As timely as ever," according to The Nation. Kirkus Reviews calls it "an interesting, suggestive overview of just how art worlds do function." The Christian Science Monitor praises it as "unusual and excellent," highlighting its discussion of aesthetics, criticism, censorship, professionalism, and commercial distribution. The American Journal of Sociology names it "the clearest, most articulate, elegant, and coherent sociology of art to appear in a long time," while Social Forces notes it is "an important book, very well written, beautifully produced, and bound to be much read and talked about in the world of sociology."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520256361

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 April 2008

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 44 b-w illustrations

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 590g

Pages: 440

About the Author

Howard S. Becker is author of many books including Telling About Society, Writing for Social Scientists, and Outsiders.

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