Thanks for visiting and thanks for the tip on Wall’s new book. I’ll have to check it out. I have read / browsed through the Fried’s book a couple of times now and I agree parts of it are baffling still – but I try not to let that get in the way! I think the book opened up a deeper understanding of the work of Thomas Struth as well for me particularly the museum picture series – I’ve enjoyed seeing some of Struth’s work back in the Des Moines Art Center where I used to live and reading something more about the work after seeing it is a good thing – I try hard to let my own “first impressions” formulate, but I appreciate it when I find decent criticism that opens up the work more. It’s difficult sometimes to find that kind of in-depth writing. There are times though when it seems that Fried “gets in the way” – meaning it seems his writing is too concerned about making his interpretation relevant. It’s a difficult thing to write in support of someone else’s hard work with the intent to truly celebrate their accomplishments and not your own brilliance… Fried should be confident enough to be more transparent – when he’s transparent he’s at his best I think….

Thanks again for the note and I look forward to reading your blog too.

Matt

Matt Niebuhr http://www.mattniebuhr.com niebuhr.matt@gmail.com