Perpetual Inventory

Perpetual Inventory collects essays from art critic and theorist Rosalind Krauss, spanning several decades of her writing on postwar and contemporary art. The essays examine major artists and movements including Marcel Broodthaers, William Kentridge, Sol LeWitt, and James Coleman. The book takes its title from a term used by Robert Rauschenberg to describe his practice of documenting and cataloging materials. Krauss uses this concept as a framework to analyze how artists engage with medium specificity, institutional critique, and the status of the art object. Through close readings of specific works and exhibitions, Krauss traces shifts in artistic practice from modernism through postmodernism and beyond. Her analysis connects these developments to broader cultural and technological changes of the late 20th century. The essays construct an argument about the continued relevance of medium specificity in contemporary art, challenging dominant narratives about the "post-medium condition." This collection demonstrates Krauss's influence in shaping critical discourse around modern and contemporary art.

Readers note this collection of art criticism essays requires significant background knowledge in art theory and philosophy to follow Krauss's complex arguments. Multiple reviews mention the dense academic language and specialized terminology create barriers for general readers. Readers appreciate: - Deep analysis of minimalism and postmodernism - Fresh perspectives on well-known artists like Picasso - Rigorous theoretical frameworks Common criticisms: - Overly academic writing style - Assumes extensive prior knowledge - Can be repetitive across essays - Limited accessibility for non-specialists One reader called it "impenetrable without graduate-level art history background." Another noted it "rewards careful study but demands serious commitment." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 reviews) Google Books: No ratings Most successful with academic readers in art history and theory. General readers often struggle with the specialized content and writing style.

Art Since 1900 by Hal Foster, Rosalind Krauss, Yve-Alain Bois This chronological examination of modern art movements applies similar theoretical frameworks and critical methodologies found in Perpetual Inventory to analyze key moments in art history.

The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths by Rosalind Krauss This collection of essays expands on the theoretical foundations presented in Perpetual Inventory, exploring postmodern challenges to originality and authenticity in art.

Art and Culture: Critical Essays by Clement Greenberg These essays present foundational modernist art criticism that Krauss both builds upon and challenges in her own theoretical work.

The Return of the Real by Hal Foster This analysis of neo-avant-garde art movements employs critical theory to examine the relationship between art and cultural politics from the 1960s through the 1990s.

October: The Second Decade by Rosalind Krauss, Annette Michelson, Yve-Alain Bois, Benjamin Buchloh, Hal Foster, Denis Hollier, and Silvia Kolbowski This compilation from the influential journal October presents critical writings that share theoretical approaches with Perpetual Inventory's examination of contemporary art practices.

🎨 The term "perpetual inventory" refers to Rosalind Krauss's view that museums continuously rewrite art history through their collecting and display practices. 📚 Krauss challenges the traditional modernist narrative in art history by introducing the concept of the "post-medium condition," where artists work across multiple mediums rather than specializing in one. 🎯 The book includes influential essays written over three decades (1977-2007), making it a comprehensive overview of late 20th-century art criticism. 🏛️ Rosalind Krauss co-founded the influential journal "October" in 1976, which revolutionized art criticism and theory in America. 💭 The book examines artists like Marcel Broodthaers, James Coleman, and Sol LeWitt, exploring how their work challenges conventional ideas about artistic mediums and museum displays.