The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing
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THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER and “The gift book of the year, a volume that should have broad appeal and deliver many hours of pleasure to the recipient. The Work of Art is a gorgeous book.” —John Warner, The Chicago Tribune
From former editor of New York magazine Adam Moss, a collection of illuminating conversations examining the very personal, rigorous, complex, and elusive work of making art
What is the work of art? In this guided tour inside the artist’s head, Adam Moss traces the evolution of transcendent novels, paintings, jokes, movies, songs, and more. Weaving conversations with some of the most accomplished artists of our time together with the journal entries, napkin doodles, and sketches that were their tools, Moss breaks down the work—the tortuous paths and artistic decisions—that led to great art. From first glimmers to second thoughts, roads not taken, crises, breakthroughs, on to one triumphant finish after another.
Featuring: Kara Walker, Tony Kushner, Roz Chast, Michael Cunningham, Moses Sumney, Sofia Coppola, Stephen Sondheim, Susan Meiselas, Louise Glück, Maria de Los Angeles, Nico Muhly, Thomas Bartlett, Twyla Tharp, John Derian, Barbara Kruger, David Mandel, Gregory Crewdson, Marie Howe, Gay Talese, Cheryl Pope, Samin Nosrat, Joanna Quinn & Les Mills, Wesley Morris, Amy Sillman, Andrew Jarecki, Rostam, Ira Glass, Simphiwe Ndzube, Dean Baquet & Tom Bodkin, Max Porter, Elizabeth Diller, Ian Adelman / Calvin Seibert, Tyler Hobbs, Marc Jacobs, Grady West (Dina Martina), Will Shortz, Sheila Heti, Gerald Lovell, Jody Williams & Rita Sodi, Taylor Mac & Machine Dazzle, David Simon, George Saunders, Suzan-Lori Parks
From the Publisher
Publisher : Penguin Press (April 16, 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 432 pages
ISBN-10 : 059329758X
ISBN-13 : 978-0593297582
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 7.63 x 1.51 x 9.52 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book illuminating, thought-provoking, and engaging. They describe it as amazing, enjoyable, and a delight to read. Readers also appreciate the beautiful design and attention to detail.
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11 reviews for The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing
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Original price was: $45.00.$27.00Current price is: $27.00.
Mardee Goff –
Amazing book!
Beautiful cover and book⦠exquisitely designed and executed. Ambitious topic to tackle and done very well. Moss is a great writer, funny and engagingâand easy and enjoyable to read. You will not be disappointed, and will return often and enjoy as an object on the table in between reads. Also a perfect gift!
Robin Wolaner –
Unique and the perfect gift
Just as Adam Moss innovated in magazine editing for decades, he brings his creativity (and access to luminaries) to a book unlike any other. Iâve already gifted several friends as itâs perfect for anyone with a creative bent.
C. Howland –
This book changed me
I am a creative human who has abandoned so many projects because of inevitable doubt and difficulty with the tediousness of refining/editing. I thought it was just me that the âworkâ part was so hard. I thought (if I was really an artist) it should all come more easily than it does. Sure, people have told me the process is hard, but that always discouraged me. Made me feel like I wasnât tough enough somehow.What Adam Moss (and the incredible graphic designer) did with this book is put stories together in a way that demonstrates1) Creative flow-states are amazing. A gift. Something to enjoy. Many of the artists he spoke with talked about their flow-states and I could relate. It was so validating. It made me want to give my creative self more time in my life. And more respect.2) so many artists struggled with self-doubt and the tedium of refining, fixing, reworking their âdrafts.â All these stories together with Adamâs narrative brought this truth into focus. Self-doubt and difficulty working through are so commonâthey are normal. I learned that the âworkâ of art isnât just the tasks of editing, the âworkâ is being patient and kind and persistent with yourself while you keep reworking something that isnât yet good enough. I learned that when an still-imperfect project isnât done being refined (yet), itâs okâitâs normalâit doesnât mean Iâm not a good/worthy artist.The âworkâ (and the gift) of making art, is the inner work. Itâs hard, but so good. And this book shows that the work of creating art is always worth it.
Teresa Vullo –
This book is SO good!
Iâm about halfway through and I can already tell you this is actually a five-star book. In fact, simply holding the book with its book cloth cover and just seeing the quality while browsing the pages, I had a feeling I would love it. This is one book you can judge by its cover (in a positive way)! The author (Adam Moss), who Iâd actually never even heard of, âinterviewsâ 43 artists who work in a range of media. There are visual artists, filmmakers, producers, composers, writers, and musicians, to name a few. Several I was familiar with, many I was not. I put interviews in quotes because though many chapters do include interviews, there is also biography and some narrative. Iâve read other books that interview artists but this one is just so engaging! I donât know if itâs the authorâs writing style or his questions, the artists themselves, or all three, but I canât seem to put this book down. The author gets into the artistsâ heads in a way I havenât read before. Heâs uncovering their process to greatness. Just A+ all around.
Mickie Kennedy –
A Masterclass in Artistic Process
“The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing” by Adam Moss is an illuminating exploration of creativity, capturing the intricate and often unpredictable journey from idea to masterpiece. Through engaging conversations with over 40 renowned artistsâincluding Stephen Sondheim, Kara Walker, and Ira GlassâMoss offers an intimate look at their creative processes, enriched by personal sketches, drafts, and journal entries. This beautifully designed book not only demystifies the artistic endeavor but also celebrates the resilience and ingenuity required to transform inspiration into reality. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the inner workings of the artistic mind.
Hailin –
An excellent study into the creative process in various media
The title, “The Work of Art” sums up well the labor, mental or physical, that goes into the production of art. “Art” in this book covers visual arts, music, radio program creations. The artists covered are primarily east coast/NY people, but these are individuals that the author knows best—and in return, he gains some intimate insights into each artist’s creative process.
Diane H –
Get inside 43 creative minds
Have you ever wondered how artists, writers or other creative types begin their creative journey? How do they continue from the bare idea to the final product? Most importantly, how do they know they are done? The Work of Art lets forty-three creatives speak in their own words about their process to create one work for which they are famous.Despite the broad creative areas covered, most of the interviewees displayed a feeling of awe over what they created. Most had explanations for where the original idea had come from (i.e.; a dream, a book, an image or a random conversation overheard). However, few expected the adulation that their work engendered. They just wanted to finish their project because it needed to be completed. Most explained step-by-step how they proceeded from idea to final product. Their preliminary sketches, notes, etc. are included. Extensive footnotes add the authorâs comments about what he is hearing rather than distracting from the creativeâs monologue. The bottom line of the book is that art, at least great art or art that makes you famous, which is not necessarily the same thing, takes a lot of hard time-consuming work.If you are a struggling artist in any medium (painting, sculpture, writing, photography, fashion design, etc.), The Work of Art is an interesting way to see the methodology of other creatives. It may make you feel better if you have struggled for years with a project to know you are not alone. It may encourage you to try another artistâs method for getting past blocks or uncertainty. Even if art is not your love, it is still fascinating to see how others think. 4 stars!Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Press for providing me with an advanced review copy.
Brendan Howley –
My Irish granny, a woman given to few words, best delivered after her second afternoon sherry, told me that ‘the greatest books are the ones you use like tools, the ones you keep going back to, again and again.’ I am now ordering my third hardcover copy of this profound, confiding, wise and utterly inspiring book to give to each of my adult children and sig/other. Two more birthdays to go to complete the cycle. Don’t even think about not buying WORK OF ART. It’ll change lives. Books can do no more. Onward
Doris VDB –
I have bought this book for myself and for two creative friends. It looks at the creative process of a variety of artists across the realm of visual art, music, writing and composing.
J. Rich –
I am just going through it, but this is a very interesting book!
peter s –
A thoughtful and well written exploration of the art of creating a work of art. Highly recommended!