Linda Weintraub

Among those covered are Carolee Schneemann, Andres Serrano, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Marina Abramovíc, Vito Acconci, Mel Chin, Barbara Kruger, On Kawara, Gerhard Richter, Chuck Close, Mike Kelley, etc. If that list doesn't fire up the ol' synapses, you on't know much about modern art, but fear not, for this book shall guide you through it. The Koons article begins with one of the most withering(ly accurate) sentences ever: "In the 1980s, Jeff Koons fulfilled his ambition to attain the show more heroic status of a contemporary hero despite his lack of physical prowess, courage, magnanimity, or genius." If you didn't know Koons was the modern-day Andy Warhol, now you do. I disagree with the inclusion of Chuck Close in a book of this title, as he has no business being mentioned in the same breath as fearless pioneers like Abramovíc and Schneemann. But most of the other artists pass avant-garde muster. show less