“Brushing up on Art” – Spring/Summer Reading Salon (read now, meet in July)
For this reading salon, I invite you to think about art. For the next three months, turn your focus to books about:
artists
art – all sorts (painting, sculpture, dance, literature, theatre, whatever you consider art)
artistic approaches
materials
methods
art across time
philosophical books pondering "what is art"
any anything else that is about art or related to art that makes you curious!
Do some research and find books of your own, or be inspired- the suggestions below.
As always, feel free to read in any language. Discussions will take place in English or German, or (more usual) a mix of the two.
(Want to know what a salon is and how our reading salon works? Scroll down for details.)
Suggestions to get you started:
Here are a few book suggestions from me to get you started, that span a range of topics related to art. English title first (then the German title, if it exists), plus a one-sentence description.
Please don't feel that you need to read these. Find and read books related to the theme that interest you.
The Story of Art (Die Geschichte der Kunst) - Ernst Gombrich
A survey of the history of art from ancient times to the modern era. First published in 1950- Phaidon, the book is widely regarded both as a seminal work of criticism and as one of the most accessible introductions to the visual arts.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray) - Oscar Wilde
A classic that caused an uproar in its day when first published.
Ways of Seeing (Sehen / Das Bild der Welt in der Bilderwelt) - John Berger
A thought-provoking and globally influential work that encourages critical thinking and deepens understanding of global visual culture.
An Artist of the Floating World (Der Maler der fließenden Welt) - Kazuo Ishiguro
The celebrated artist, Masuji Ono should be a tranquil retirement. But as his memories continually return to the past - to a life and career deeply touched- the rise of Japanese militarism - a dark shadow begins to grow over his serenity.
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us (Kein Deutsch) - Ivy Ross & Susan Magsamen
A book that draws on neuroscience, psychology, public health, social sciences, the arts and other fields to show how activities from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture, and more are essential to our lives.
Girl with A Pearl Earring (Das Mädchen mit dem Perlenohrring)- Tracy Chevalier
Told from the point of view of Griet, a young servant in the household of the famous artist Johannes Vermeer. It provides a delightful imagining behind the famous painting that the book gets its name from. But it also explores the perils of being a young servant woman at the time.
Art Forms in Nature (Kunstformen der Natur) Ernst Haeckel
A source of inspiration for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of art, science, and the beauty of our planet’s biodiversity, celebrating the intricate beauty of marine life. [Classic - check the library for this.]
The Book of Tea (Das Buch vom Tee) Kakuzo Okakura
Explores the art of tea in Japan and its impact on culture.
All the Beauty in the World (All die Schönheit dieser Welt) - Patrick Bringley
A beautiful portrait of a great museum, its hidden treasures, and the people who make it tick,- one of its most intimate observers.
Linnea in Monet’s Garden (Linnéa im Garten des Malers) - Christina Björk and Lena Anderson
A children's book with two stories in one: the life of Claude Monet and his blended family, and the tale of a young Swedish girl named Linnea on vacation to see his paintings in Paris, and his famous home and garden just over an hour from the city in the village of Giverny—the subject of many of the artist’s paintings.
The Secret Book of Frida Kahlo (Das geheime Buch der Frida Kahlo) - F. G. Haghenbeck
Inspired by the discovery of her letters, the story tells the tale of this formidable artist as she dealt with lifelong health repercussions from a bus accident, and of her tumultuous affair with Diego Rivera.
Others:
The Practice - Seth Godin
Seven Days in the Art World - Sarah Thornton
Art as Therapy - Alain Botton, John Armstrong
Broad Strokes- Bridget Quinn
Isadora- Amelia Gray
The Moon and Sixpence- W. Somerset Maugham - fiction
The Art Forger () Barbara A. Shapiro
The Age of Light - Whitney Scharer
The Henna Artist - Alka Joshi
The Art of the Bird: The History of Ornithological Art through Forty Artists - Roger J. Lederer
Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World's Greatest Masterpieces- James Payne
Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art () - Christopher Moore
Sunflowers - Sheramy Bundrick
The Swan Thieves- Elizabeth Kostova
The Birth of Venus - Sarah Dunant
Never Anyone But You - Rupert Thomson
The Death of Francis Bacon - Max Porter
Mr Mac and Me - Esther Freud
Girl Reading - Katie Ward
How to be both - Ali Smith
The Man in the Red Coat - Julian Barnes
What I Loved - Siri Hustvedt
The Folding Star - Alan Hollinghurst
The Lady and the Unicorn - Tracy Chevalier
Rodin’s Lover - Heather Webb
The Painter from Shanghai - Jennifer Cody Epstein
The Agony and the Ecstasy - Irving Stone
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
The Art of Looking Sideways - Alan Fletcher
Strapless - Deborah Davis
The Art of Possibility - Rosamund Stone
The Art of Art History - Donald Preziosi
Dancing for Degas - Kathryn Wagner
What a "salon" is (and how our reading salon works)
In the 16th & 17th century, the concept of salons emerged. They were gatherings held my a host (me!) - and often- women (starting with literary salons) - and served as an important place for the exchange of ideas. They were theatres of conversation and exchange, which is exactly what I hope for our reading salons.
How the Innsbruck Reads reading salon works:
Over several months (usually 3-ish), read one or more books related to the theme and then join us for a meal and a conversation about what excited, delighted, or disappointed different readers.
This is an opportunity to stretch yourself and read outside your favourite genre, using a thematic anchor, and learn about a variety of different books from fellow readers.