What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory Hardcover – 16 Jan. 2025

I’ve been a follower of Brian Eno since his Roxy Music days and came across this little book which is thought provoking but simply laid out. Well worth the money for a simple but straightforward read.

When the book arrived I was a little disappointed, it was small and looked childish. In fact I was wrong, approachability is a big part of this book's genius.This punchy little book has a tremendous amount to teach us all. It's no mistake that Eno is the eminence grise behind a lot of the best music in the last decades and I have benefitted hugely from my first read of it. There are many more dense books on the subject with much less to say. The tone and friendly artwork keep this light and easy while delivering plenty. For example Danto's 'What Art Is' does not cover as much ground as this book and it's a heavy intake.I will be reading this masterful little book many more times. You should get it too - it will expand your entire artistic life.

As much or less content than in a kindergarten book. Seems like a cynical pretense to make money with pretentious ramblings that probably took all of an afternoon to script. I had much higher hopes for a book by Eno than this. If you want a book that truly discusses art then get Rick Rubin's wonderful exciting and thoughtful volume The Creative Act: A Way Of Being.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is concise and well illustrated (delightful cartoons). Brian Eno and Bette Adriaanse present a great introduction to the world of art with many ideas, links and threads to the way we live our lives. A great introduction. It would make a lovely gift for any young person, new student or older people , like me, who were told at school that they were hopeless at art and now embarking on a new artistic journey at retirement. What Art Does - makes you think doesn't it?

An easy read regarding why we make art ( spoiler alert, there is no answer at the end) but it is framed more towards the gains we have on the making and how this can transform the artist and the viewer. It regards all craft and art as one ( which is wise and should always be the case)For any age, you’ll gain from simply realising how important the act of making is and how we all prosper with art in our world.Go buy it.

Simple, succinct, and superbly clear. Brian Eno has for sometime been one of the clearest and well informed 'Art theorist'.His definitions are simple without being simplistic. And along with Bette A. has produced a condensed ( maybe too condensed) summary of an explanation of why we make art and the importance of that activity in the history of the world.The books format, being the size of a hardback pocket diary, I'm afraid I don't like. I would have preferred a 'normal' paperback size. I also think at £14.99 it's somewhat overpriced.Having said all that I still would recommend this book as an introduction to Eno's theory's. I would however urge people to watch one of his many on-line lectures for greater depth.

This is a great little coffee table book. So many interesting thoughts and ideas. Highly recommended 👌 👍

I liked how bitesize and easy to read it was.Confirmed thoughts about art and gave me suggestions for books to read at the end.Begun the 'conversation' around art as it intended to do.We are all artists.