See the Music, Hear the Dance: Rethinking African Art at The Baltimore Museum of Art

Munich: Prestel, 2004. Softcover. As new. BASEMENT. SOFTCOVER BOOK, NO MATTER WHAT AMAZON SAYS!!! Glossy illus. wraps with yellow lettering and spine; 301 pp. with profuse color illustrations. This is a paperback edition. An in-depth look at one of the US's most extensive collections of African art, within the context of the the works' original rituals. I give this book 5 stars because it's clear the author charted his own path here and it makes for an interesting book on African art. There are other books with higher quality photos, slicker paper, that are more "artistic" coffee table material. I love them...not all, but often, if they aren't reprinting the same common photo examples. However,here the author really takes you into the village, introduces you to the tribal members, and you vicariously participate in the dance. It's not only interesting, but it's a record of a way of life that may not be around too much longer. You'll even find out what a heddle pully is and why it's important. You don't get that in the artistic coffee table book! (Jim Gwin).