Cut & Paste: 21st-Century Collage

by Richard Brereton, Caroline Roberts

In the digital age, the original meaning of cut and paste has been replaced with a few clicks of a mouse, This has led to a lot of derivative and unimaginative computer produced work. In response to this, artists have returned to using more traditional methods of making images. There has been a resurgence of drawing and illustration and collage has recently been rediscovered. Collage is the natural progression of illustration, as it combines drawing with the other mediums. It is the fusing of methods that makes for a new language. Increasingly, collage is being used in ads, magazine editorials, fashion spreads, street art, album covers, animation and websites: from the Prada Menswear Spring Summer 09 invitation (Milan) to the editorial of Butt Magazine, from Brahma beer poster campaigns featuring the work of Brazilian artists such as Speto and Giga to posters for the Tate Gallery. The surreal juxtaposition of images provokes thought, humour and understanding, two-dimensional images become three.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2011

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really strong and interesting collection of modern collage art with a bunch of new discoveries for me--Hot damn, Eduardo Recife! Holy heck, Dani Sanchis! Sweet Polaroid action, Andy Ducett!
I also like how there are some works that stretch the usual materials and form of collage, like Craig Atkinson's folk art-like mixed media and Tsilli Pines's threaded beauties. And then my favorite, John Stezaker, has a nice spread as well, featuring some of his awesome Shadow series.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice discoveries in this book. I especially liked the work of Anu Tuominen, but there were a number of other artists I also went googling. Of course there was work that didn't appeal to me, and I am getting rather tired of women's bodies, whether they're being worshipped or being made fun of. One artist I was already familiar with is Eduardo Recife, but I felt the selection in this book hardly reflected his fabulousness. Still very nice collection to page through and be inspired by.

[Daniel Cushnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book a long time. There are a few very good collages in it, but overall the pieces don't tend to be to my taste. I also have a book about the Bauhaus and I much prefer the ones in there. The main thing I took away from this collection: is that either the selection chosen by the editor is NOT the best of collage in the post-millenium, or that the medium might have lost its way enitrely. Perhaps it's neither and I just prefer mine a bit more grungey and distressed. I think that might be the case, because the featured artists clearly have talent. I think perhaps if I saw some of the works in real life their scale might redeem them. I have the paperback version and it's about one fifth smaller than a lot of my art books and that doesn't work in its favour.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mijn favorieten: Philippe Jusforgues, Michael Lazarus, Pepe Mar, Javier Pinon en Anu Tuoninen. Jammer dat er zo weinig vrouwen instaan.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this collection of modern collages. I want to go make some art now(:

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice collection-especial like the work of Victor Kaifas and Christoph neimann