A Short Life of Trouble
Forty Years in the New York Art World
Marcia Tucker author Liza Lou editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of California Press
Published:4th Jun '10
Should be back in stock very soon
This engrossing memoir brings to vivid life the behind-the-scenes struggles of Marcia Tucker, the first woman to be hired as a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the founder of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. Tucker came of age in the 1960s, and this spirited account of her life draws the reader directly into the burgeoning feminist movement and the excitement of the New York art world during that time. Her own new ways of thinking led her to take principled stands that have changed the way art museums consider contemporary art. As curator of painting and sculpture at the Whitney, she organized major exhibitions of the work of Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, and Richard Tuttle, among others. As founder of the New Museum of Contemporary Art, she organized and curated groundbreaking exhibitions that often focused on the nexus of art and politics. The book highlights Tucker's commitment to forging a new system when the prevailing one proved too narrow for her expansive vision.
"Offers some much-needed inspiration [and] ample evidence of Tucker's take-no-prisoners attitude and passion for "difficult" art." New York Times Book Review "A remarkable piece of writing... [Tucker] has composed a literary monument to her heroic life in art, as moving as it is entertaining." Artforum "A candid, entertaining, and illuminating account of the 1960s art world... A perfect antidote to this bloated, spectacle-heavy moment." -- Martha Schwendener Bookforum Marcia Tucker's courage, conviction and chutzpah are inspiration for those of us who seek to lead meaningful professional lives." Museum "A vivid, candid, self-critical and moving account of Tucker's life... Novice curators should find it inspiring." -- John A. Walker The Art Book "An unassuming, humbled, even self-effacing metaphor for the art that is life in the art milieu." Migill Book Reviews "A great read [and] a page turner... In less than 200 pages she encapsulates her life, sharing her triumphs and insecurities." Pelican Press "Tucker's book is conventional, accessible, even chatty. But this modest volume, in concert with the shiny playful building on the Bowery, denotes a remarkable legacy." Village Voice "A joyful exploration of all things art-related... Tucker's balanced assessment of her work and personal life is commendable." Bust "A good book about a good person." Art + Auction
ISBN: 9780520265950
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 18mm
Weight: 363g
226 pages