Christian Boltanski (E)

Christian Boltanski internationally acclaimed photographer, sculptor, painter, and installation artist tackles the problems of death, memory, and loss in his art that draws heavily from his own life. Boltanskis art can be either dark and disturbing or playful, and sometimes both at once. This monograph examines every aspect of his art, from his unusual choice of materials newspaper clippings, used clothing, photographs of photographsto the spirits that haunt his work. One of his most successful exhibitions, Lessons in Darkness (1988), explored the personal pathos of the Holocaust in a shocking new way. Catherine Grenier worked closely with the artist to produce a strong, visual volume that provides a clear picture of the creative development of a major artist working today. Acclaimed author and critic Daniel Mendelsohn contributed an incisive interview with the artist. Fully illustrated, the book includes an introductory portfolio of key installations, analyses of the significance of individual works, and a full chronology and bibliography.