AICA-USA member Michelle Kamhi's new book Bucking the Artworld Tide: Reflections on Art, Pseudo Art, Art Education & Theory was published on May 15, 2020.
According to the author: "Today’s artists and art lovers who adhere to a traditional view of art are much like the tiny fishermen in Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa, pictured on this book’s cover. Against all odds, they strive not to be totally submerged by the virtual tsunami of anti-traditional work and supporting critical spin generated by the contemporary artworld. Bucking the Artworld Tide is written from their perspective.
Comprising more than three decades of contrarian writing and speaking, this book is both a prequel and a sequel to the author’s previous work, Who Says That’s Art? A Commonsense View of the Visual Arts—which was lauded by Kirkus Reviews as 'forceful and persuasive.' Like that book, this volume offers a solid appreciation of traditional visual art, as well as trenchant critiques of countless unprecedented inventions since the advent of abstract painting and sculpture in the early twentieth century. In the process, it debunks the flawed theoretical assumptions behind those inventions. A key part of the book constitutes a critique of K–12 art education, which has all too readily embraced the artworld’s anti-traditional mindset."
AICA supports art writers around the world through public programs and membership that includes free access to museums across the globe. Since its formation in 1950, AICA has been committed to elevating the values of art criticism as a discipline, and acting on behalf of the physical and moral defense of works of art.
Join now
AICA supports arts writers around the world through public programs and membership that offers free access to museums across the globe. AICA-USA represents the largest national section of AICA International with over 450 distinguished critics, curators, scholars, and art historians working throughout the United States. As part of the international organization, we benefit from a global reach in presence. AICA-USA is intent on international communication, elevating the values of art criticism as a discipline, and acting on behalf of the physical and moral defense of works of art.
AICA's membership card is recognized for entrance to museums around the world. Members are invited to attend the annual AICA International Congress, hosted each year by a different member nation, and the AICA-USA annual meeting.
Every fall, in cooperation with the New School's Vera List Center for Art and Politics, AICA-USA presents a Distinguished Critic Lecture.
Organized in collaboration with CUE Art Foundation, this program matches emerging critics with experienced AICA-USA members who guide them through the process of writing a catalogue essay.
A partnership between The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant and AICA-USA that gives art writers the opportunity to strengthen their work through one-on-one consultations with leading art critics.