The Slip: The New York City Street That Changed American Art Forever

Sorry, but I think art history can be boring—a bunch of academics writing in pseudo speak to appease and fluff and audience of 11 other academics. This book however brings all the rigor and intellect of academia but translates it into a multidimensional and accessible prose that keeps you engaged (not looking up words in the dictionary). The well organized story weaves New York history, art history, creativity, place, gentrification, humanity, and a good old fashioned poly-biography into a yarn that can't be put down until finished. I highly recommend this gorgeously written book.

Loved it. Was sad to finish it since I was enjoying it so much. I've read a lot of books on this group of artists in this era...this one is one of my favorites now.

This was a new book but it arrived damaged. Not enough to return it, but nevertheless very irritating. I often buy used books and have no problem when they appear used- but when you pay for a new book it should look like a new book.

I'm not done with it, but so far Peiffer's book is well-researched, compellingly-written, accessible, and takes a novel approach to the group biography. Rather than focusing on similarities in their work, Peiffer studies the way that their shared living space influenced these artists and allowed them a sense of "collective solitude" that facilitated they prolific careers.

Peiffer has written a highly enjoyable look back at a time long gone. For most of us, communities like this have vanished by the time what they produced is widely known and accepted. The book explains why the Slip was important to each of the artists who lived there; how they helped and influenced each other; and a way of thinking about creative activities. Along the way, there are great antidotes. Famous people come and go. Lots of cross pollination. And I better understand what these artists were trying to accomplish. Highly recommended.

A mish-mash. The author, a solid member of New York City's art scene, attempts to tell many different stories within this one book and, as a result, left this reader somewhat at sea.We are given a good amount of interesting historical information on the old waterfront of NYC; several individual artists are featured; the artists reside (sometimes for a short period of time) in a specific street; somehow this all adds up to changing "American Art Forever."Dr. Peiffer urges the reader to treat weaving as an art form the equal of paintings. (Otherwise gender bias may be at hand.) She brings in the story of a now obscure French film star. Walt Whitman and Hart Crane are not ignored. The artists at Coenties Slip are not legally entitled to live in their rented work spaces, so is it a surprise when they are displaced by economic forces? The sexual preferences of many of these artists are underlined. And, somehow the works of all the featured artists are more advanced than those of other artists in NYC who blazed earlier trails. Does anyone now ever watch an Andy Warhol movie?As an aside, one interested in this period might well read James Rosenquist's fine "Painting Below Zero: Notes on a Life in Art."

Such a beautiful portrait of an endearing bunch of artists. I just wanted to be there and hang out with them. Such a wonderful read.

The Slip book capture the unique confluence of sea and spirit that living on the old NY waterfront of the past, present and hopefully future, has inspired in many of us. Thank you.

Amazon en het goed verpakt sturen van boeken blijft een issue. Menig boek blijft arriveren met kleine schade.

Very informative account of an area of New York where early Pop artists lived and worked. Recommended.