Catherine Craft’s Jasper Johns is an insightful and meticulously researched exploration of one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in 20th-century art. As a scholarly yet accessible work, it provides a nuanced portrait of an artist whose oeuvre continually challenges the boundaries of meaning, perception, and artistic medium. A Dialectic of Simplicity and Complexity Craft’s narrative … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Jasper Johns by Catherine Craft
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Contemporary Ceramics by Emmanuel Cooper
In Contemporary Ceramics, Emmanuel Cooper crafts a remarkable tapestry that examines the evolving landscape of ceramic art in the modern era. The book is not merely an anthology of exquisite works or a technical manual but a deep interrogation of the interplay between materiality, concept, and cultural context. For scholars, practitioners, and connoisseurs of ceramics, this … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Contemporary Ceramics by Emmanuel Cooper
Toward Ethical Communitarianism: Iris Murdoch’s Vision for a Sustainable Alternative to Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Iris Murdoch, a British philosopher and novelist, offers rich insights into human morality, the nature of good and evil, and the role of love in ethical behaviour. While she did not specifically address the interconnectivity of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism, her philosophical framework can be applied to critique these systems and propose an alternative. … Continue reading Toward Ethical Communitarianism: Iris Murdoch’s Vision for a Sustainable Alternative to Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Rethinking Civilization: Sustainable Alternatives to Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism Through the Lens of Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumford, a prominent historian, sociologist, and philosopher, provided critical insights into the development of modern civilization, particularly focusing on the interconnections between technology, society, and urban development. His work often emphasized the unsustainable nature of various socio-political and economic systems. Let's explore his perspectives on the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and … Continue reading Rethinking Civilization: Sustainable Alternatives to Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism Through the Lens of Lewis Mumford
Reimagining Sustainability: Yukio Mishima’s Critique and Alternative Paths Beyond Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Yukio Mishima, a prominent Japanese author and nationalist, explored themes of identity, tradition, and the clash between modernity and traditional values in his works. His philosophy, particularly his critique of modernity and Western influences, provides a lens through which we can examine the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism. Interconnectivity and Unsustainability … Continue reading Reimagining Sustainability: Yukio Mishima’s Critique and Alternative Paths Beyond Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Reviews – Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
In Show Your Work!, Austin Kleon delivers a manifesto for the modern creative, advocating for openness, transparency, and generosity in the creative process. With its concise prose, visual flair, and actionable advice, this book becomes more than just a guide—it is a cultural critique of the solitary artist myth, updated for the age of social media. … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Reviews – Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Steal Like An Artists by Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is a manifesto of creative liberation, packaged in a succinct, visually engaging, and refreshingly unpretentious format. This little black book, with its bold typography and sketches, may deceive at first glance—appearing to be a trendy coffee-table accessory—but beneath its simplicity lies a profound guide for anyone yearning to unlock their creative … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Steal Like An Artists by Austin Kleon
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review: The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours by Geoffrey E. Braswell
Geoffrey E. Braswell’s The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours: Settlement Patterns, Architecture, Hieroglyphic Texts and Ceramics is a landmark contribution to Mesoamerican studies, offering an intricate mosaic of interdisciplinary research that examines the interconnectedness of ancient societies in Central America. Braswell curates a volume of essays that blends archaeological, linguistic, and cultural analyses, forging a nuanced … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review: The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours by Geoffrey E. Braswell
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: Mastering Raku: Making Ware, Glazes, Building Kilns, Firing by Steven Branfman
Steven Branfman’s Mastering Raku is an indispensable treatise on one of the most expressive and dynamic ceramic techniques: raku. As both a technical manual and a philosophical exploration, this book offers a wealth of insights for ceramists, artists, and scholars intrigued by the intersection of fire, earth, and artistry. Bridging History and Practice Branfman masterfully situates raku … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: Mastering Raku: Making Ware, Glazes, Building Kilns, Firing by Steven Branfman
“EVEN A TRUE ARTISTS DOES NOT ALWAYS PRODUCE ART” by Carroll O’Connor (Quotes & Quandaries)
Lately, I've been bumping against my impostor syndrome and find myself remembering random quotes... This one found me again after reading Austin Kleon's extraordinary book "Steal Like An Artist". The book presented me with the answer to questions about authentic originality. Kleon suggests that we just keep looking for art that we like and trying … Continue reading “EVEN A TRUE ARTISTS DOES NOT ALWAYS PRODUCE ART” by Carroll O’Connor (Quotes & Quandaries)
The New Renaissance Mindset 