Cream 3

Rating:
Summary: An exciting and innovative book
Review: "Cream 3" is an exciting and innovative book in design and concept, and a great introduction to cutting edge art.

However I think the work within is not quite as interesting as that in "Cream 2" (or the similar survey, "Art Now"). The work somehow seems less intelligent original and compelling as the previous volume (though it is much better designed as a book.)

In light of the plethora of video work, I believe that such books should be accompanied by a CD or DVD with sample clips of the video art, as did the last Whitney Biennial catalogue (albeit with a CD for audio art). Unlike flat art or sculpture, visualizing moving images with stills is a bit like trying to comprehend the 5th dimension in our 3 dimensional world.

It is quite amazing how the former hegemony of New York has been replaced by a globalize art world (perhaps part due to public spending outside the US). The editors of the Cream series have taken pains to accelerate this trend of globalization to a significant advantage.

Nevertheless, I have one caveat on this subject. I know that the curators cannot represent every country in the world, but they have not mentioned one artist in Australia and New Zealand - both (interrelated) counties that are now producing quite outstanding and innovative art that often goes unnoticed in the Northern hemisphere.

Rating:
Summary: Stay Current!!!!
Review: For art lovers and artists alike, staying current with modern art is an essential. Thje Phaidon Cream series is your ticket to remaining on top of your game. This latest version has large photographs of each artist's works, along with a short description about their concepts. A must-have for studio artists, instructors, critics and your average art enthusiast!!

Rating:
Summary: Cool Book Design / interesting artists
Review: The book design is pretty damn cool! -- a black and red hard cover with a magnetic front closure...most of the artists I never had heard of before so that made it interesting; I especially enjoyed the essay on photographer Patrick McMullan -- concentrating on his backstage work at Men's fashion shows. Very interesting and I love his work!

Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: This third volume of the Cream series disappointed me. I say this mainly because this book gets bogged down in either conceptual ideas that are less than grandiose or curatorial/theoretical high-mindedness that trumpets the intelligence and sensitivity of those compiling the list. Instead of looking at emerging artists either from the markets point of view or as those new artists inspiring other artists, this book becomes about as flat and appealing as rusty water.
Its one saving grace is that it is bringing dozens of artist's attention for the first time in a major publication. And even if these artists' work for the most part is less than overwhelming, it is interesting to explore their work. Maybe not enough time passed between the first, second, and third Creams to allow for the quality found in the first two. But I suspect it was primarily those that did the compiling this time around that are to blame for the damaging of an otherwise fine series.

Try Vitamin P or the earlier Creams if you are interested in a contemporary art survey.