The Machine as Seen at the End of the Mechanical Age

by Karl Gunnar Pontus Hultén (Author/Editor), Museum of Modern Art (New York) (Illustrator)

Genres: Art

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Dankistler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exhibition this must have been. Bring it all back and show it all over again as the theme is just as relevant today as it was in 1968. The machines are here.

[Gulliver's Bad Trip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I imagine that machines, technologies, cybernetics and science fiction as cultural subjects were as widespread in 68 just like the well-known leftist ideologies from that time. At least, on anglophone countries such as the US and the UK it seems to be the case with many writers and artists in general talking about that there. Pontus Hultén realized this so he grasped the first opportunity he got and did this exhibition and wrote the catalogue, unfortunately one of the few, if not the only, in english. Szeemann seemed very influenced by him while openly focusing on the bachelor machines theme illustrating it with many more artists than the ones shown here (and they not being necessarily or mainly north american) and compiling writings and writers about the subject some years after. Both of these museum director and curator are extremely relevant if one is dedicated to reading about the last technological consequences in the world, culturally and socially speaking. To be more precise, those who like Ballard, Baudrillard amongst others will enjoy very much them as well. I wouldn't be surprised to know that such writers attended such events or simply knew about them therefore being directly under their influence.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in the junction between art and technology this is the book for you! This book is such a wonderful classic I can't imagine why people have not snatched up the used ones on the market. While the illustrations are just in black and white, they are very plentiful. Hulten after a brief introduction begins discussing Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Durer and continuing in basically chronological order ends with contemporary artists like Robert Rauschenberg. Famous as well as lesser known artists each have a page or several page essay with one or multiple artworks included. Hulten explains how each artist was influenced by others and how the idea of machines were incorporated in their work. The individual essays are easily read without undue art critic speak. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of this book is the metal binding which is amazingly original and so fitting for the subject. Published in 1968 by the Museum of Modern Art this is a classic which should regain its fitting place in art lover's libraries!