Christian Boltanski

Catherine Grenier, Daniel Mendelsohn

Boltanski’s art can be either dark and disturbing or playful, and sometimes both at once. This monograph examines every aspect of his art, from his unusual choice of materials—newspaper clippings, used clothes, photographs of photographs—to the spirits that haunt his work. One of his most successful exhibitions, "Lessons in Darkness" (1988), explored the personal pathos of the Holocaust in a shocking new way. The author worked closely with the artist to produce a strong, visual work that provides a clear picture of the creative development of a major artist working today. Fully illustrated, the book includes an introductory portfolio of key installations, first hand interviews with the artist, analyses of the significance of individual works, and a full chronology and bibliography.