Conversations Before the End of Time

by Suzi Gablik

"Nineteen of the most profound, intimate, and heartfelt dialogues." - Cover Magazine In this series of nineteen dialogues with the art critic Suzi Gablik, artists, writers, and philosophers address the central questions of the meaning and purpose of art in an age of accelerating social change and spiritual uncertainty. According to the critic Hilton Kramer, art should be isolated from political and social issues. Contemporary artists such as Coco Fusco, meanwhile, explore new ways of making art that reconnects directly with the world. And Thomas Moore and James Hillman look at how art reflects the broader spiritual crises of our society as a whole.

Genres: Art, Collections, Essays, Nonfiction, Philosophy

478 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ville Verkkapuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful set of conversations about art and the times we live in, the climate crisis and modern times in general. A lot of talk about (the loss of) soul and hypercapitalism and the future.
It might as well be that the apex of humanity was when we were hunter-gatherers. It's a depressing revelation.
The end has begun a long time ago.
Given that the conversations took place in the early 90's this gave a nice sense of perspective. And how the issues have been well known for a long time but have risen into he public discussion only quite recently. Or, maybe better: have been taken seriously.
They could've cut around 100 pages and this would've been brilliant. Now it dragged on at times.
This was a very interesting book in many ways. A definite read for artists!

[Diana Bogan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the book was dry, but still interesting. Honestly I read most of the interviews but not all. Towards the end I pretty much felt I got all I was going to get out of it. Although I am not a raving fan of the book, I would recommend it. It has lead me to other books I want to read as well as organizations that I'd like to learn more about and, for me, any book that leads me to other sources through which I can continue to grow and explore a topic is a book worth reading.

[Helen Lehndorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although some things in this book (the way ecology is discussed) are now a little dated, this is still a gem of a book for ideas in ecology and art and the making of meaning. I especially loved the way Gablik chose such a wide range of people to interview and how she describes her process of finding the interviewees through synchronicities and intuition. A very inspiring book for people who want a bit of mystical in their intellectual, or intellectual in their mystical. She is now one of my art heroes based on this book and I want to read everything she’s written.

[Elizabeth W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of evaluating my artist life, I returned to "Conversations..." which I last read when it was published in 1995. Gablik, who places great value on dialog, talks with James Hillman, Arthur Danto, Richard Shusterman, Ellen Dissanayake, Hilton Kramer, Coco Fusco, Carol Becker, Theodore Roszak, the Guerrilla Girls, David Plate Mary Jane Jacob, Rachel Dutton and Rob Olds, Christopher Manes, Thomas Moore, Barbara Kirshenblatt-Ginblett, Laurie Zuckerman and Leo Castelli.

The issues raised in Gablik's "Conversations..." still belong in current conversations artists are having with themselves and others questioning art's purpose and the relationship aesthetics has to ethics. As I read the book I compared the 'then' with the 'now' and thought about what has been happening in the 17 years in between.

What is missing are conversations with artists from all over the world and of diverse religious beliefs.

[Helena Eflerova · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me 4 month to read this book, as I read couple of conversations and put the book down. I am glad to re-discover the book again each time and finally finish reading it. Each conversation has different spin on art and environment, nature and culture so its a great source of resources. There are some valuable points there what art may mean to our society and the healthy balance in between art and life. Anyone who like to live in harmony with nature would appreciate it. Good reference book to keep on the shelf and take on board some further recommended reading in bibliography.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suzi Gablik has conversations with a variety of artists, writers, philosophers, about the role of art and artists amid environmental and cultural change. The format of conversation was very engaging for me, to listen to Gablik and others hold ideas and questions in tension between them, and practice listening to each other.

[Natasha Rivett-Carnac]

This is a classic. CBET is a series of illuminating conversations collected by one of the most progressive art critics of our time. If you're interested in the history of ideas, spirituality, the environment and arts, you'll find plenty of food for thought here.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i need another copy of this book! i gave it away at the teaching workshop last summer...it has some great essays...

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've honestly only read portions of this....but I love it.

[amber]

this is a to re-read

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I didn't necessarily enjoy reading this in an interview format, I did appreciate that it was set up in that way because it allowed the reader to enter the dialogue and feel part of the conversation. If I made notes, it felt like I was responding to or talking with the individuals. The text was also very inspiring to the point where I wanted to create art with conscious and critical intent, while also giving me a feeling of hopelessness.