The Interpretation Matters Handbook: Artspeak Revisited

Dany Louise

Softcover | 17.02 x 1.02 x 17.02 cm | 96 pp

Black Dog Publishing | 2015 | 9781908966889

The Interpretation Matters Handbook is all about the writing produced by art galleries for public information. It humorously challenges preconceived ideas and interrogates accepted notions of the art language found in galleries, wondering if simpler language can be used to communicate better.

Between occasional rants, deconstructions of words and phrases, brilliant images, visitor vox-pops, excellent contributions from experts in the field, along with the odd impulse to re-write in bold felt tip, there are serious discussions about written interpretation practice. If you are a regular gallery visitor, work in the visual arts, or study art or curating, then this book is for you.

This invaluable guide to all things artspeak contains interviews and features from top arts professionals, including:

• Artists Richard Wilson, David Blandy and Emily Speed, who share their experience of being written about by galleries.
• Dr Penelope Curtis, who explains her thinking behind the Walk Through British Art at Tate Britain, with responses to Tate by three arts professionals.
• Renowned curators Lewis Biggs, Omar Kholeif and Gerardo Mosquera, who reveal their individual approaches to interpretation for exhibitions that they have curated around the world.
• Simon Martin, Artistic Director of Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, who explains their approaches to writing interpretation.
• Dr Abigalil Harrison Moore and Amanda Philips, who detail collaborations between students and Leeds Art Gallery
• Artists Luborimov-Easton, who defend their use of art language, with a response by artist and writer Alistair Gentry.
• Writer and critic Dany Louise, who shares why she thinks good writing really matters, and explores the different facets of this complex subject.