Into the Light of Things: The Art of the Commonplace from Wordsworth to John Cage

by George J. Leonard

In this sweeping revision of avant-garde history, John Cage takes his rightful place as Wordsworth's great and final heir. George Leonard traces a direct line back from Cage, Pop, and Conceptual Art through the Futurists to Whitman, Emerson, Ruskin, Carlyle, and Wordsworth, showing how the art of everyday objects, often thought an exclusively contemporary phenomenon, actually began as far back as 1800.

In recovering the links between such seemingly disparate figures, Leonard transforms our understanding of modern culture.

Selected by the American Library Association's journal, Choice , as "one of the Outstanding Academic Books of the Year"

"Leonard's book is a fine example of interdisciplinary studies. He shifts focus persuasively from art theory to literature to religious thought and biography, making his method seem the natural mode of inquiry into culture."—Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

"Provocative and illuminating."— Library Journal

"Highly stimulating, impassioned."— Publisher's Weekly

"A rich and rewarding study written in a clear and accessible style with excellent references and a very useful index. Highly recommended."— Choice

268 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

Reviews

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Figuring how to view art & what is art. Written by one of my professors, which is an interesting line to walk. It's hard not to hear his voice when I read but when I am reading, I fear he may never stop talking.

Is art really over?