Breaking The Rules: What Is Contemporary Art?

A new book delivers a kid-friendly perspective on modern art

For budding esthetes, the new children’s book from L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art attempts to distill the extensive roster of major modern talent into a clear, easy-to-read format. “Breaking the Rules: What is Contemporary Art?,” describes each chosen artwork—such as “Delicious” (Felix Gonzalez-Torres‘ candied installation above), “Lovable Horror” (Victor Estrada’s “Happiness” monster) and “Autobiographical” (Robert Rauschenberg‘s shadow box)—in kid-friendly terrms. Covering a wide range of …

Hamburger Automatenverlag Book Vending Machines

A German publisher commandeers automats in an effort to promote reading

In an effort to both reuse retired cigarette vending machines and encourage literacy (not to mention sell a few books), newly-minted German publisher Hamburger Automatenverlag recently introduced a resourceful new concept—the book vending machine. Basing their name on the concept, the publishing house’s clever street project supplants one unhealthy habit with a positive one through the re-purposing of existing resources. The machines vary in size …

Cleavage

A photographic book of breasts is more than meets the eye

In the pictorial book “Cleavage,” ample bosoms fill tank tops, are adorned with necklaces, and press against a guitar. However, the cleavages photographed are actually the butt cracks of men and women. (Check out the hirsute bust in a cocktail dress.) Bethany Fancher, a New York-based artist, invited family, friends and willing participants to model their posteriors in their homes, workplaces and staged sets. The …