Artspeak: A Guide to Contemporary Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords, 1945 to the Present

Art historian, journalist, activist, and critic Atkins (ArtSpoke: A Guide to Modern Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords, 1848–1944) presents the third edition of this standard handbook (the first was published in 1990, the second in 1997). This edition covers art movements and activities since 1945, with many revised and updated entries as well as 29 new topics. New entries include recent movements, such as San Francisco's Mission School, and old movements that have attracted new art world scrutiny. Also included are many terms used when discussing contemporary Chinese art movements, such as rustic realism and political pop. The time line has been brought up to date, but the format for the entries is the same as in the previous editions: alphabetical, with most entries subdivided into who, where, when, and what subsections. The writing is simple, direct, nonjudgmental, and succinct.