The 7 Days Art Columns, 1988-1990

The 7 Days Art Columns, 1988-1990 collects Peter Schjeldahl's weekly art criticism from the now-defunct New York City newspaper 7 Days. These columns cover exhibitions, artists, and cultural developments during a pivotal period in the New York art world. The book preserves Schjeldahl's real-time commentary on both established and emerging artists of the late 1980s, from gallery shows to major museum retrospectives. His writing examines specific works while placing them in broader cultural and historical contexts. Schjeldahl chronicles significant shifts in the art market and institutional landscape, including the impact of economic forces on galleries and museums. The columns capture both the energy and tensions of a transformative era in contemporary art. The collected writings reveal patterns in how critics and audiences engaged with art during this period, while highlighting enduring questions about value, meaning, and the relationship between commerce and creativity in the art world.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Peter Schjeldahl's overall work: Readers consistently highlight Schjeldahl's clear, conversational writing style that makes complex art concepts accessible. Many note his ability to describe visual art in precise language that helps them "see" the works being discussed. Readers appreciate: - Direct, jargon-free explanations of contemporary art - Personal, honest reactions to artworks - Ability to connect art to broader cultural contexts - Humor and wit in his observations Common criticisms: - Some find his subjective approach too personal - Occasional readers note his taste preferences can seem dismissive of certain artists/movements - A few mention his writing can be dense for complete art novices Ratings/Reviews: - "Hot, Cold, Heavy, Light" (Goodreads): 4.3/5 from 212 reviews - "Let's See: Writings on Art from The New Yorker" (Amazon): 4.5/5 from 48 reviews Notable reader comment: "He writes about art the way people actually experience it - with excitement, confusion, revelation and sometimes frustration." - Goodreads reviewer

Air Guitar: Essays on Art & Democracy by Dave Hickey A collection of essays examining contemporary art through the lens of American culture and social dynamics during the late 20th century.

Hot, Cold, Heavy, Light by Peter Schjeldahl Art criticism spanning 100 exhibitions from 1988 to 2018, offering insights into major artists and movements that shaped contemporary art.

Pictures of Nothing by Kirk Varnedoe Six lectures on abstract art's development and influence from the 1950s forward, based on the Mellon Lectures at the National Gallery.

High Art Lite by Julian Stallabrass An examination of British art in the 1990s that connects artistic movements to broader cultural and economic forces.

The State of Art Criticism by James Elkins and Michael Newman A compilation of critical discussions on the role and future of art criticism in contemporary culture and academia.

🎨 Peter Schjeldahl wrote these columns for the now-defunct 7 Days magazine, a bold but short-lived New York City weekly that ran from 1988 to 1990. 🖼️ The collected columns show Schjeldahl at his most immediate and raw, writing weekly reviews during a pivotal period in the New York art world when Neo-Expressionism was fading and identity politics was rising. ✒️ Before becoming The New Yorker's acclaimed art critic in 1998, Schjeldahl earned the nickname "the poet critic" for his background as a published poet and his lyrical approach to art criticism. 🏛️ The book captures a specific moment in NYC's art scene, documenting exhibitions at both major institutions and smaller galleries that have since closed, providing a valuable historical record. 📝 Many of these columns were written under intense deadline pressure - sometimes just hours before going to print - giving them an urgent, unfiltered quality that differs from Schjeldahl's later, more polished work.