Why a Painting Is Like a Pizza: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Modern Art

by Nancy G. Heller

The first time she made a pizza from scratch, art historian Nancy Heller made the observation that led her to write this entertaining guide to contemporary art. Comparing modern art not only to pizzas but also to traditional and children's art, Heller shows us how we can refine analytical tools we already possess to understand and enjoy even the most unfamiliar paintings and sculptures.


How is a painting like a pizza? Both depend on visual balance for much of their overall appeal and, though both can be judged by a set of established standards, pizzas and paintings must ultimately be evaluated in terms of individual taste. By using such commonsense examples and making unexpected connections, this book helps even the most skeptical viewers feel comfortable around contemporary art and see aspects of it they would otherwise miss. Heller discusses how nontraditional works of art are made--and thus how to talk about their composition and formal elements. She also considers why such art is made and what it "means."


At the same time, Heller reassures those of us who have felt uncomfortable around avant-garde art that we don't have to like all--or even any--of it. Yet, if we can relax, we can use the aesthetic awareness developed in everyday life to analyze almost any painting, sculpture, or installation. Heller also gives concise answers to the eight questions she is most frequently asked about contemporary art--from how to tell when an abstract painting is right side up to which works of art belong in a museum.


This book is for anyone who agrees with art critic Clement Greenberg that "All profoundly original art looks ugly at first." It's also for anyone who disagrees. It is for anyone who wants to get more out of a museum or gallery visit and would like to be able to say something more than just "yes" or "no" when asked if they like an artist's work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honest to g-d think this book should be required reading in high school or college. Not kidding. I think I'm going to blog about the book versus writing a review here, but suffice to say that Ms. Heller breaks down the inaccessible for her readers; she opens up a world that many of us had shrugged-off or run from before and allows to see why art--even the kind we think is ugly and/or confusing and/or ridiculous and/or "not really art"--is important and possibly not as far removed from the art we like as we think (or yes, possibly just as far as we think! She does allow for that.)

Deserves the 5 stars I've given it, at least, to a lay person peering into the art world.

[Wendelle]

In this friendly, breezy introduction, the author (an art historian professor with a specialty in modern art) attempts to instill in the reader an appreciation for the complexisites of modern art (circa 1872 to WWII) by highlighting its governing aesthetic principles (visual harmony, balance of composition) and by inviting the audience to a closer inspection of the aesthetic choices decided by the artist in selecting patterns of stripes, colors of boxes, framing, to incorporate in their pieces.

[Berni Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book fails in it's subtitle: I still do not understand or enjoy modern art. What I most don't understand is how some of it can be considered art.

I confess I didn't finish the book - it got too ridiculous for me. Some of the things like the canvases painted a solid color may be fine if you just want something to hang over the couch which doesn't clash, but as a piece of art meant to stand on its own, I don't buy it. (Literally.) In my opinion, such things should be studies for elements of more traditional art works.

She tries to make the point that oh look, when Impressionism was new, it was avant-garde and people didn't like it and look how many people like it now? You'll like this stuff later. Nope. I'm not buying it. I don't really like the Impressionists either. That was how the world looked to me until I got glasses in seventh grade. I don't buy a school of eye from myopic painters.

This book was recommended by a friend, and he got something of use out of it. I had to quit when she started introducing older representational art by the masters. That is what I prefer to view.

I am also reminded of an old episode of "Bosom Buddies," which was the first starring role for Tom Hanks. His character is in an art gallery and the very pretentious artist is trying to put meaning into his canvas, a solid white rectangle with a large red circle in the middle. Having heard enough malarkey, Hanks' character bursts out with "It's the flag of Japan!" That's how I feel about much of this stuff.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was part of an online course I'm taking called "Understanding Modern Art." I was thrilled when my textbooks arrived, because this one had been on my "want to read" list for a while.

Heller's guide is the most thorough, yet simple and clear-cut explanation of modern art I have ever read. As a high school art teacher, every year I face the same similar questions: Why is that considered art? Is it good art or bad art? Who decides how much a piece is worth? This book has helped me formulate better, more concise answers for the next time those questions spring up.

The entire time I read this book, I thought of my mother, who, despite the fact that two of her four children are artists, is the first to exclaim, "I don't get it!" when we walk through a museum or gallery. I think this is a fantastic read not only for artists, but for anyone who is curious about modern art. Heller does a great job of speaking about specific artists and works to make her points, some of the greats like Picasso and Van Gogh, but also other artists I hadn't heard of before, or at least, not as extensively, like Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, or Judy Pfaff. I also enjoyed that she spoke and showed examples of several female artists, far more than any other art text I've read in the past.

I'm so happy to have had the chance to read this book, and I plan to keep it in my classroom as a resource.

[Robin Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Heller provides a wonderful survey on modern and contemporary art and how to better experience it. She uses many artists and artworks as examples of various movements in art during the last century. If you have at times struggled while experiencing avant-garde art this book is for you. Don't understand why a painting of soup cans, a soft fabric urinal (or a porcelain one), or a painting of stripes is "art"? Professor Heller helps. Modern artists change the way we view the world. They change our perspectives.

And a painting is like a pizza for many reasons, but the primary one is that not all individuals enjoy the same type of pizza...that is why there are so many types. Same with Modern Art.

If you are interested in Modern Art, don't know a lot about it, and want a humorous, easy to read intro I highly recommend this book.

[Kent W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does an excellent job of providing a framework for experiencing and analyzing modern art. She takes on a lot of myths and standard questions about representational versus nonrepresentational art. While I personally enjoy art from many periods and regions, I feel like I’m even better equipped now to think both more critically and viscerally/emotionally when I experience, modern art in a museum or gallery setting.

Also, Ms Heller is an excellent author with well crafted and easy to understand prose. I personally appreciate her sharing of art history knowledge with readers through this interesting and provocative book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any casual art lover will enjoy how Nancy Heller breaks down modern art and how to appreciate pieces you would typically walk past or not give much thought to. Heller is knowledgeable without being pretentious and speaks in terms that any novice could understand. Even those with a more advanced understanding of traditional art will find this quick read enjoyable and make your next modern art museum visit more thought-provoking.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful work for considering modern art, but it's not totally complete or well-rounded. I would've liked to hear some delineation between modern vs post-modern vs contemporary art and if/how her thoughts apply there. (But maybe this is me being an ignorant reader. 😆)
And the pizza metaphor was actually really good, but it doesn't truly apply to all modern art, so there's that.
I had a good time reading this book, it was fun to blaze through- in a good way. 😊

[Emily Thaler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a course and overall I gave it 4 stars. As an artist I felt as though I learned new information about some artists I didn’t know about and I think this book would be great for someone with absolutely no art background. The beginning was a little difficult to get into but overall I will be passing this book along to some who I hope can appreciate modern art.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book about abstract or modern art with lots of photos to illustrate the author's points. How to look at art; the line between life and art; the impact of new technology on art; what makes art art; how to look at the rule-breakers and understand the un-understandable. Really enjoyed it.

[Timothy Langhorst · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who might be a little intimidated by modern art, or for those who wonder if some modern art is art at all, this might be a book that will help you be more open to understanding - and maybe even enjoying - modern art. Nice conversational tone. Easy read.

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent explanations and none other than Picasso provided the best one: "I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them". And that's modern art.

I have felt compelled to understand modern art ever since blank canvasses started selling for millions of dollars.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class. Although I learned some things, I found this book to be tremendously tedious. I would not recommend it. I found a YouTuber who actually loved this book, and I was incredulous. I was so glad when I got to the end. Definitely pulling teeth--and I am a Modern art lover!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at an estate sale and was pleasantly surprised. I appreciated the down to earth discussion of how a lay person can approach art and how nuanced art perception is. I will say that the title is bad, and the reference to pizza was a few lines in the introduction, and never reappeared. However, that may have been for the better.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and easy to digest. I discovered lots of great new art to appreciate.

[Christine Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated her humor and very clear writing.

[Laura Merkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to approaching modern art.

[Farrah]

my friend who is an art teacher has a lot of opinions. and so do i. one day we got together and began talking about the art; the unavoidable 'urinal debacle' of 1970-something reared its pissy head and we were at a standstill. i was smoking a cigarette in her backyard at the time and said that the ash tray i was using wasn't art, but if i presented it as art with my own human purpose motivating this presentation, then it would be considered art. and that was something this book attempted to explain as well: the consciousness with which we act determines the meaning behind our actions. we are not our thoughts. but we can think art into reality.

[Rick Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to help organize a gallery tour this spring because of my art history background. The focus are the art galleries that have clustered around Los Angeles Chinatown, contributing to the revitalization of the neighborhood. I need to find books to help me catch up on the issues regarding contemporary art and creative direction and issues facing artists today. Ms. Heller's book is a lucid and humorous approach to explaining abstract principles that are the basis of art created and art enjoyed (and denounced) today.

[Stephanie T]

I gave up. I don't want to seem too critical of a book I didn't finish, but the pizza analogy didn't really do it for me. I'm not an artist and will never claim to be, so I imagine this book is for people who don't assume a painting is like a pizza because they're both delicious. Zero stars not because the book is bad, just because it wasn't what I was looking for and couldn't finish it.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I have an informal background in art through my mother and grandmother who taught me some art history and appreciation of contemporary art in and around the museums and galleries of New York City in the 1970s and 80s. I think this book really clarifies modern art and how to approach it. The author has a nice writing style, and the examples she gives are well chosen.

[That70sheidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very excellent explanation of various types of modern art and what to be aware of when studying it. Also a nice section at the back of questions and answers so next time someone says "That's not art, I could do THAT!" there's a rebuttal other than "Yeah, but you don't."

[Michelle Howa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for my fine arts class. Interesting book, but would rather just enjoy the arts (not just read about them). :)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it so much I bought it for my niece for Christmas!

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped increase my appreciation of modern and contemporary art, which I already liked. But I wish many people who do not like it would read this book too.

[John Senner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nontechnical explanation of modern art for the non-artist. She tackles the hard to explain pieces such as "White on White" and the 175 pounds of candy piled in a corner.