Bruce Nauman: The True Artist

In this meticulous authorized monograph, critic Plagens, a longtime friend of Nauman, weaves historical context, critical perspective, and his own reflections to study the career of “one of the most, if not the most, influential artists of the last half-century” and “get at the real truth of Bruce Nauman’s work.” Tracing Nauman’s evolution as an artist of many mediums, Plagens examines his influences, materials, relationship to place, exhibitions, and examples of his work. Plagens positions Nauman as a “philosopher-artist” who treats art as a way of making—and then solving—the problem of being human, and the pain, confusion, and pleasure that comes with our condition. From his early experiments in ceramic, plaster, and fiberglass to his films and photography, neons, and building-scale installations, Nauman uses all available tools to plumb the deepest existential doubt. The resulting works, such as the spiraling 1967 neon The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths, the 1970s models for underground tunnels, and the cheerily colored disembodied heads that hung from ceilings in galleries in the ’90s show off the artist’s irreverent sense of humor, boundless curiosity, and enduring desire to reveal truths about art and life. 270 color, 30 b&w illus. [em](May) [/em]