How to See: Looking, Talking, and Thinking about Art Hardcover – October 18, 2016

This book by major contemporary artist David Salle does EXACTLY what the title promises: it offers rare insights into how to look at and understand art of all types. Bravo, Mr. Salle!

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised but my first reading of this book produced slight disappointment: I think David Salle is a better painter than writer about art. Probably as it should be, but it's a word of caution to prospective readers. Other reviewers here have pointed to his language stye as the problem. I'm not sure. His tone can be pedantic but is that the problem? Again, I'm not sure. I myself am not an artist but in reading about art I look for something like inspiration. In this book I found a little of that but less than expected. Occasionally he sounds enthusiastic but that can come across as calibrated or processed. I think it's partly a tone issue, but the book is serious and thoughtful enough that I'll keep it and possibly reread at some point. (I still think he's a very good painter.) I might get more out of a second reading.One more criticism: Each chapter has 1 reproduction but all are black-and-white. Would it have cost that much more to publish them in color?

David Salle writes well. But this compilation of his many articles is just too much. Too many articles included, and too many artists who seem to be his friends. That makes the laudatory discussion of so many of them seem suspect. It is overwhelming to read this book. The last exercises for art students however are really good. This book needed editing, and fewer articles.

It's hard to find artists who can write well past the essay level, and also depart from today's artistic hermetic language. Add to that, his significant place in art, his background, and the context of his "high period" and you have a something verging on classic here. A great read, and thankful the artist felt impelled to put his well-considered, chiseled insights on paper.

Pretentious, full of artspeak, and definitely not for kids (adult content/porn)!Contemporary art enthusiasts over 18 may enjoy reading this book if they are David Salle fans.Mostly a bunch of rambling essays that seem to serve to glorify David Salle's life, point of view, and his friends.Heard so many good reviews but when i actually read this book, i was dissapointed.Don't waste your time on this book unless you are a diehard David Salle fan.

I was reading this book and thought what a great book it has pages and words and all kinds of things you might expect to find in a book!!!!! Holy crap it’s a book!

Maybe it takes an artist to write about artists, but this collection of essays and descriptions of artists' work, life and personalities is wonderful. Almost every essay sent me off to the rabbit hole looking for more examples of the art discussed, and so I found the book very expansive. Have a laptop at hand as you read and explore and enjoy at will.

All arrived in timely manner, and in good shape. Book is direct, not enough references or profiles of women artists at the time. Found most of his assessments and language articulate if sometimes 'chilly'.

in love with this

Great book!

Book arrived in a really poor condition. Quite disappointing.