Air Guitar: Essays on Art & Democracy

Rating:
Summary: A book you can't put down
Review: I to was assigned to read this for a college course and picked up the book with the usual lack of excitement that goes along with reading an assigned text. I was surprised to find myself half-way through the book in one night and having to make myself put it down to continue on with other assignments. The author vividly describes scenes from life in a way that takes you on a journey into someone else's life. You can hear the saxaphones, smell the cigarette smoke, touch the flowers...it's really unbelievable the way the author picks you up and takes you away. It's also nice to have a book of short essays...great for people who get bored easily and enjoy a change of subject and scene. The book sets up a new image and feeling with each essay. You never find yourself stuck on the same topic or bored with the content. The book keeps you moving and thinking from start to finish. Loved it.

Rating:
Summary: uh, now what
Review: I'm ready- couldn't wait. Finished a book by Leo Marks who was codemaker for SOE during wwii which was very interesting and surprisingly compelling- even when he described the basics of codes and betrayals. But it tired me out in alot of ways. So Hickey seemed a good way to go: clear and noncant according to reputation. Plus I read an interview Hickey gave to a colorado newspaper where he was spot on even if his stevedoreness was a little droll coming from a man obvious bored with small pieties. Started it last night and I'm already wavering. My initial enthusiasm is slightly dampened by his repeated use of the word "quotidian" and his p'haps too obvious placement of himself as heavy meta dude who hangs with grass in Mexico and in the next breath is able for instance claim that Norman Rockwell is, in fact, a great democratic artist with impressive technical skills. He claims too that every artist he knows admires Rockwell. I always thought it was schlock- I could be wrong- (I think Rockwell leads to Tarantino) but what worries me is that Hickey seems willing to take a perverse position for the pleasure of taking a perverse position. Well that's OK but he isn't Panofsky. He's acrobatic and synthetic- but afterwards like any dance by Arthur Murray you wonder what you have experienced and when.
The book cover is terrible, almost the worst I have ever seen which again suggests a willful postmodern banality offered w/o irony which is the hippest position possible. Says Sean Puffy Combs, Puff Daddy, P Daddy, P Diddy: "its all good." He's a genius too.

Rating:
Summary: A great read for makers and lovers of culture
Review: Ignore all of the negative press--decide for yourself and read the book (contrary to the opinions of some reviewers, this book is not hard to read). Yes, Dave frequently uses the word "quotidian" (Oh noooo!!!) and the cover may be too much if you have bad "good" taste. And at times, having to learn a new word is required (Is that a bad thing?). I think Hickey would say, that what all of the reviewers on this page are involved in, is exactly what he is arguing for--democratic discussion of the art that does or does not move you.

Rating:
Summary: Great writing indeed, but why the heavy pen?
Review: OK, granted, this is this first thing I've read by Dave Hickey, so I may not be giving his overall legacy a fair review. I know he's been around for awhile and has made numerous contributions to many top-notch magazines and journals. This book was recommended to me by a guy in a Williamsburg bookshop, and despite the accusation of 'genius' slapped on the front cover, I glanced through the book (identifying obviously great writing) and bought it on the spot.
I was really taken by his unabashed, intimate style for several chapters of the book, until he began his defenses of art dealing and art criticism and his pompous attacks on 'spectators' versus 'participants' (are critics participants?) in his version of the art world. Sorry Dave, this doesn't wash and you know it --- simply announcing that 'Art is not a commodity' simplifies a huge can of worms best dealt with by Debord or even Hakim Bey, not by an art dealer trying to convince himself that he really belongs to this community, rather than spectating and profiteering himself. When I reached the end of several of these overly verbose defenses of his history of 'dirty occupations', I was left thinking, 'Who really cares that you were an art dealer?', or 'Who really cares that you're an art critic?'.
I simply want to be regaled with tales of Sigfried and Roy, or stomp in the boots of Hank Williams, or read Dave's ridiculous opinions on Chet Baker and, most importantly, laugh (or even smile out loud). This is where he is at his best, and consequently where the book shines. It is great writing, indeed, but too bad Dave feels it is necessary to attempt to namedrop and pontificate to purge himself from the sea of soulless art critics. Just do what you do best, and write!

Rating:
Summary: It relates art to American culture from an everyday view.
Review: This book is a collection of essays which demonstrate how art functions in American society on a day to day, experience to experience way. Each essay is written in a conversational tone, as to invite the reader into the story through personnal experience and avoid the frequent erudite, elitist, and exclusionist text commonly associated with art theory. Each story is easy to relate to and encourages one to think about everyday incidences as a form of art and its relation to formal art. This book represents the thoughts of an artist both in what it says and how it says it. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and educational tool for artists.

Rating:
Summary: even if you don't know about postmodernism, etc.
Review: this book is intelligent and accessible. It made me jealous of his grip on things.

Rating:
Summary: even if you don't know about postmodernism, etc.
Review: this book is intelligent and accessible. It made me jealous of his grip on things.

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss "Air Guitar"
Review: This book made me want to call everyone I knew and tell them to read it--and better yet, it made me laugh! alot! "Air Guitar" is an optimistic and witty book about one man's parallels between art and life. Hickey writes brilliantly. I admit I skipped the commentary, but it was few and far between. This is a really good, optimistic book from one of the only influencial people involved in the visual arts who actually has his head on straight. If you skip this one, you're missing a refreshing group of essays and a very, very well-written book.

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss "Air Guitar"
Review: This book made me want to call everyone I knew and tell them to read it--and better yet, it made me laugh! alot! "Air Guitar" is an optimistic and witty book about one man's parallels between art and life. Hickey writes brilliantly. I admit I skipped the commentary, but it was few and far between. This is a really good, optimistic book from one of the only influencial people involved in the visual arts who actually has his head on straight. If you skip this one, you're missing a refreshing group of essays and a very, very well-written book.