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The Hidden Mod in Modern Art

London, 1957-1969
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
The Hidden Mod in Modern Art by Thomas Crow explores the profound impact of the Mod subculture on the London art scene of the 1960s. Crow delves into how the aesthetic and lifestyle choices of Modsβ€”marked by sharp Italian suits, scooter culture, and American jazzβ€”shaped the creative expression of artists like David Hockney and Bridget Riley. The book situates the Mod figure as a symbol of the vibrant postwar metropolis, linking art, urban life, and youth culture in a fresh reassessment of this transformative era.
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Format: Hardback
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Essential reading for enthusiasts of modern art, British cultural history, and 1960s subcultures, as well as scholars interested in the intersections of style, youth culture, and urban creativity.

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"Searching for the young soul rebels" -- Front cover.

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

An investigation of the outsized influence of the Mod subculture on key figures of the 1960s London art scene

Bonding over matters of taste and style, the 'Mods' of late 1950s London recognised in one another shared affinities for Italian-style suits, tidy haircuts, espresso bars, Vespa scooters and the latest American jazz. In this groundbreaking book, leading art historian Thomas Crow argues that the figure of the Mod exerted an influence beyond its assumed social boundaries by exemplifying the postwar metropolis in all of its excitement and complexity.

Crow examines the works of key figures in the London art scene of the 1960s, including Robyn Denny, David Hockney, Pauline Boty, Bridget Riley and Bruce McLean, who shared and heightened aspects of this new and youthful urbanity. The triumphant arrival of the international counterculture forced both young Mods and established artists to reassess and regroup in novel, revealing formations.

Understanding the London Mod brings with it a needed, up-to-date reckoning with the legacies of Situationism, Social Art History and Cultural Studies.

The Hidden Mod in Modern Art is distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.

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?

Praised as an "expert running commentary" rich with relevant references and images (Gigslutz), the book is hailed as a "groundbreaking" work by paulineboty.org. ArtReview calls it an "elegantly counterintuitive account," while Artforum highlights its meticulous detail and elegant prose that reimagines the art of postwar London in a deeply aesthetic context. The book is noted for respecting the agency of the Mods themselves rather than merely their cultural models.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781913107130

Publisher: Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

Illustration: 140 color + b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 165.0mm

Height: 241.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Thomas Crow is Rosalie Solow Professor at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.

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