James Elkins Books

The End of Diversity in Art Historical Writing is the most globally informed book on world art history, drawing on research in 76 countries. In addition some chapters have been crowd sourced: posted on the internet for comments, which have been incorporated into the text. It covers the principal accounts of Eurocentrism, center and margins, circulations and atlases of art, decolonial theory, incommensurate cultures, the origins and dissemination of the "October" model, problems of access to resources, models of multiple modernisms, and the emergence of English as the de facto lingua franca of art writing.

"For years, Samuel Emmer has monitored bacteria levels in drinking water for the small city of Guelph. He is content to focus on dangerous life-threatening single-celled organisms as his grasp on his own life recedes, and with it his with family and friends. No one is more surprised than Samuel when he is appointed to the city's Zoo Feasibility Committee. His assignment: travel to zoos around the world and gather information on the behavior of animals in their enclosures. The city of Guelph aspiring commendably, if naively, is trying to create cruelty-free habitats for its animals. It is in Tallinn, Estonia, that the dreams start for Samuel. He is in a vast wooded landscape; there is a fire burning in the distance; and it is coming his way... Weak in Comparison to Dreams, by historian and art critic James Elkins, is like no other novel you have ever read, even as its inspirations, from W.G. Sebald to Teju Cole, are clear to see. With an astounding breadth of knowledge and playful courage, Weak in Comparison to Dreams reignites our love for the ambitious novel; with experimentation that never lacks intention, and whose empathetic scope explores the deepest aspects of our individual humanity"--

Exploring the profound impact of photography, Elkins delves into its paradoxical nature, highlighting its capacity to present images that evoke both desire and discomfort. He argues that photography transcends mere representation, engaging with the complexities of perception and emotion. Through a diverse array of illustrations, the book illustrates how photography captures the multifaceted challenges of seeing, making it a powerful medium that resonates deeply with viewers.

"My principal concern in this book is the way we talk about pictures...Renaissance writers and artists imagined perspective quite differently than we do... I maintain... that Renaissance authors and artists thought there were many compatible perspectives, so that their writing and painting evince a "pluralist" approach in strict contrast to the monolithic mathematical perspective we imagine today. Theirs was more a collection of rational methods than a "rationalisation of sight", more a way of drawing objects than of setting them in an abstract "pictorial space". Most important... is the gradual recession of perspective as a mute method, a practical subset of geometry, and the growth of perspective as a metaphor, a powerful concept for ordering our perception and accounting for our subjectivity." -- Preface.

Lively and informative, The World Atlas of Tattoo is a superbly illustrated and compelling reference book that, through examining the meeting point between tattoo artists and their personal understanding of their environment, presents a well-informed and nuanced account of what has become a widespread art practice. Organized geographically, each section is introduced by a short historical overview of the types of tattooing traditionally practised in that area of the world, enabling the reader to trace historical threads in the careers of some of the profiled tattooers, as well as marvel at how other artists have managed to create novel forms of tattooing that transcend any previous context. The book also tracks the movement of styles from their indigenous settings to diasporic communities, where they have often been transformed into creative, multicultural, hybrid designs. Written by an international team of scholars, historians and journalists, this comprehensive atlas will enlighten and excite anyone who is passionate about tattoo art in its many forms worldwide.

At the root of this tremendously original work is Elkins' desire to bring the study of art back to the studio to understand the artist's relationship to his or her medium. schovat popis

Through the lens of everyday objects, the book encourages readers to engage deeply with their surroundings, revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Elkins examines familiar items like grass, clouds, and bridges, illustrating how they hold intricate meanings and connections to our lives. By blending artistic insight with investigative curiosity, he invites readers to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world, transforming mundane perceptions into a rich tapestry of observation that enhances our understanding of nature and thought.

James Elkins tells the story of paintings that have made people cry, contrasting the emotions shown before works of art in the past, and the tearlessness with which most people approach works of art in the 21st century.

The narrative explores the profound emotional impact of paintings that have moved viewers to tears. Through a collection of anecdotes tied to specific artworks, it chronicles the deep connections and emotional responses elicited by these pieces, highlighting the powerful relationship between art and human feelings. Elkins delves into the ways individuals express their emotions in front of art, offering insights into the transformative power of visual experiences.

Exploring the intersection of contemporary art and spirituality, this book delves into how modern artistic expressions can convey profound spiritual messages. It examines various artists and their works, highlighting the ways in which art reflects, challenges, and enriches spiritual experiences. Through insightful analysis, the text invites readers to reconsider the role of art in understanding and expressing the complexities of spiritual life in today's world.