Takedown: Art and Power in the Digital Age

So that’s why so many ancient marble statues of gods and goddesses are often armless, noseless or faceless! Forget erosion or structural weakness. This was evidence of early art critics— the repressed dominant religion du joir sending out critics not with pen and paper but chisel and hammer. That is just one of many interesting things one can learn from this excellent and original book. Today’s chisels are more complicated, coming in the form of powerful art institutions calling the shots; racism; sexism; cultural appropriation; “political correctness;” social media; the cancel culture— on and on. Do we erase history by melting down a statue or do we revise the plaque, so to speak, creating context and history of a shameful era? Do we ban brilliant artists who a hundred years ago committed acts of lust that would now be unacceptable and even litigable? In this new terrain, what is expansive, inclusive and enlightening for artist and viewer, and what is oppressive? Nayeri navigates through this landscape with her sharp pen, elegant prose, original mind, years of experience as a cultural reporter, and from an adventurous, fearless curiosity. This read is relevant, current, and was more than worth my time and money. A must-read.

Farah Nayeri summarizes the contemporary art world that has been lived brilliantly! A must read for young art world professionals!

This was a really interesting look at the change from political censorship in the US in the 1980s to crowd-sourced/public takes on art in the times of #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and more. Of particular interest were the new look at Paul Gauguin, and how the NEA funding cuts compared to museums turning away from the Sackler name in a masse in light of the opioid crisis. Like the events of BLM, social media helped shed a larger light on the issues that didn't exist in the time of past crises.

Takedown is intelligent, well written and relevant — to be expected from a New York Times writer — but its added beauty comes from a style and a prose which make it a very easy, and in fact enjoyable, read. Given how topical and timely this book is, Takedown is essential reading for anyone who has a serious interest not only in the art world, but also in history and politics, especially in relation to the current woke wave which has left US academia and swept the developed world.

Phenomenal! Beautifully written! Loved it!