"Eric Fischl : 1970 - 2000", by Danto

Eric Fischl : 1970 - 2000 by Danto, Arthur C.; Enright, Robert; Martin, Steve

So this is my first book review and it isn’t even a recently released book. It’s actually eight years old, although it’s new for me since I picked it up from a used book retailer just last week. Actually what started this is that I am waiting for a new version by the same author, Danto, titled “Eric Fischl: 1970-2007”. I’ve had it on preorder at Amazon, but I received a message that now it’s not going to be out until mid-May instead of April. Impatience got to me, and since I didn’t have a copy of the original version I went ahead and bought one. Ouch, $140 USD for a used book and when it arrived it was not in the “Excellent – Like New” condition as advertised. The corners were all damaged because it was shipped in an envelope instead of a box and the front hardcover has pulled away from the spine just after page two. Granted, I ruin just about every book with either coffee during my initial read or paint smudges when I bring it into my studio, but I still like starting fresh. All right, none of this has anything to do with the author or Eric Fischl, so I’ll get on with the review.

As an artist, and as an artist that really likes Eric Fischl’s work, this book was perfect for me. When it comes to art books I seem to gravitate towards either books that are heavy on text (translation: no pictures) or those that have very good color reproductions of the artwork and only enough text for background and minor explanations. If I’m going for the visuals then large format books are the best. With a page size of 25 by 28.5 cm this book fits the bill. It’s not that I don’t want to read a lengthy discourse on Fischl, but I just hate to see a large book with nice glossy pages wasted on text. Plus, if it’s “reading” that I’m after I usually do this on airplanes or in bed. Neither location is well suited for a six-pound book that takes up my entire lap. The prose in this book was just fine. The longest is a 13 1/2-page essay by the author, Danto. His opener combines a background on Fischl along with discussion of several pieces to describe Fischl’s progression as an artist. Next there is a three-page essay by Robert Enright that focuses on the meaning/message of Fischl’s paintings. This sounds very much like what you would read in a brochure for an upcoming show. Enright’s positive, and even excited, tone left me jazzed up and ready to see the plates.

Following the introductory essays, the next 265 pages were devoted to images of the artwork with short descriptions and insight provided by the artist (and arranged by Robert Enright). The reproductions were very nice, all in color, and all titled with dimensions included. I was thankful for this because I hate it when the dimensions aren’t included or you have to flip to the back of the book to see them. Although none of the images bled to the page edges (except prior to the table of contents), they were large enough to take in the detail and feel that the layout was representative of a gallery showing. I’m no expert on Fischl, but it seemed that every major piece I could think of was in there, plus hundreds more I had never seen. As for the work itself, what can I say; I’m a huge fan both as an artist and as someone who grew up in a mid-western suburb. His subject matter can be weird without being uncomfortably crude. Even knowing what his intention was in certain pieces you get the feeling that you could probably explain them in a harmless way to your mother if pressed. “No Mom, the little boy was just trying to pee in pool. Why, what did you think he was doing?”

Fischl’s painterly, at some times messy, style is also just right for my taste. I am not a big fan of photo-realistic painting. I certainly appreciate the effort and could personally never master the technique. But my personal taste is to see the imperfections and enjoy the link between something recognizable, the people, the furniture, etc., and something dreamlike that obviously was born solely in the artists mind.

The book ends with a three-page essay by Steve Martin discussing a single painting, “Barbeque”, 1982. I usually don’t like to see actors, musicians, or sports celebrities talking about subjects outside of their field, but Steve Martin has definitely shown his devotion to the art community as an avid collector, enthusiast, and participant. Discussing “Barbeque”, Martin talks about his personal connection to the Southern California scene depicted in this painting and then what he sees and likes. You get the feeling that you are at a party at his house and he’s telling all his guests about this treasure. Nice ending.

If you like Fishl’s work I’d say pick up a copy of this book, but as I said earlier there is a new version coming out very soon by the same author, so you might just want to wait a few weeks.

"Eric Fischl : 1970 - 2000", by Danto
Publisher: Monacelli (December 18, 2000)
ISBN-10: 1580930751
ISBN-13: 978-1580930758