Donald Judd: Complete Writings 1959–1975

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Donald Judd

Press of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; distributed by D.A.P. | Distributed Art Publishers, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2005; originally published 1975

Nonfiction, Art and Cultural History

ISBN: 9780919616424

From D.A.P. Originally published in 1975, this collection of Donald Judd's writings is a sought-after classic. His uncompromising reviews avoid the familiar generalizations so often associated with artistic styles emerging during the 1950s and 60s. Here, Judd discusses in detail the work of more than 500 artists showing in New York at that time, and provides a critical account of this significant era in American art. While addressing the social and political ramifications of art production, the writings focus on the work of Jackson Pollock, Kasimir Malevich, Barnett Newman, Ad Reinhardt, John Chamberlain, Larry Poons, Kenneth Noland, and Claes Oldenburg. His 1965 “Specific Objects” essay, discussions of sculptural thought in the 1960s, is included as well as Judd's notorious polemical essay, “Imperialism, Nationalism, Regionalism.”

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Jonathan Olivares

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Though the ideas developed by Judd throughout this compilation of his gallery reviews, book reviews, articles, letters and statements are entirely interesting, what really intrigues me about this book is the fact that Judd actually went through with all of this writing, firmly developing his position on so many of the works of his contemporaries. The other thing that excites me about the book is that he states that he did all the writing therein as a mercenary, only for the money, to help support himself as an artist, and that he always put the writing off until the deadline. Viewing the book this way I can't help but imagine all the months' rent paid by these words. This book inspired me to support my design studio through similar mercenary-writing activities. I still do write to support the studio and I still put off writing until the very last possible moment, which creates a very productive tension around the writing process.

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