Official Review: Femininity in Asian Women Artists' Work ...

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[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Femininity in Asian Women Artists' Work from China, Korea and USA: If the Shoe Fits" by Patricia Karetzky.]

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In this essay, Patricia Karetzky discusses the shoe and how it is presented in the different contemporary women artists' work from China, Korea and USA. The artists discussed withing this essay are: Peng Wei, Yin Xuizhen, Cai Jin, Nina Kuo, Xin Song, Betty YaQuin Chou, Il Sun Hong and Mimi Kim.

This book goes on to explain the different views of women artists from multiple regions on the metaphorical shoe. It tells of what brought them to their medium and what fascinates them so about it. The allure of the women's shoe in the past, how it effected them, and what other possible sexual elements there are associated with the foot are subjects addressed and discovered along the way. "Men considered women's feet to be very alluring and erotic. So shoes have always had a connection with sex." Peng Wei, one of the mentioned artists, talks about the history of the shoe and the impact it had on men and women in the past. Oh the other hand, Il Sun Hong summerizes that the modern female shoes are similar to that of the past, in ways of allure. She goes on to say "The high-heel pump is an urban image symbolizing the anonymity of industrial society; whereas the Korean show is more emotional and reminiscent of village life." Each artist takes the metaphorical shoe and presents it with different scenerios, colors, backgrounds, to show the different meanings for composition of the modern and past shoes.

Patricia really brought together the different views of each of the artisits about the shoe. At first I was a little wary of the book and the possible content it could hold. Though I had come to find it quite enjoyable, due to the wealth of knowledge it held. I not only described the relations with the shoe in the past ages, but also described what brought each artist to do what they do, and how they see things as they are making their art. This book was definitely interesting to say the least. Peng Wei and Nina Kuo had some amazing views on the shoe, and their discovery. It was completely accurate in the portrayal of the shoe and the effects they had on women. Though I did feel the book left one wanting to know more about the modern shoe and the effects it has. It kept more to the past rather than the present as well.

This book definitely brought a little more knowledge into my life. I have now found artists that have some amazing contemporary work, based on the composition of the shoe. As one that loves to read about new topics, this was a good book to choose. It was very short and to the point. The lives and stories of the artists are portrayed and the allure of the shoe was was defined.

I would rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. It was good read, though at times left you wanting more. Karetzky brought out the questions about the traditions of the women's show, and just how much if effected the races. It shows that there is more than what we can see with the eye. For those who love history and contemporary art, this is a must read. It brings fourth information one might not already have. It is short book, though it is worth the read.

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