The first monograph of one of Norway's most important contemporary artists to be published in English. The work of the Norwegian artist Marianne Heske falls outside conventional categories of art. A 1971 visit to Marche aux Puces near the Porte de Montreuil in Paris would prove important for the artist. There, she found a box of papier-mache doll heads with a look reflecting the glamour of early-twentieth-century film stars. These were to become an important metaphor in her artistic development. Heske soon began to create works that involved the dolls--assemblages, photographs, videos, and graphic works--and dolls became a central part of her oeuvre. Includes contributions by leading Norwegian art and literary critics such as Jon Fosse, Ken Friedman, and Frode Helland.

A catalogue inspired by the tradition of Latin American literature and authors such as Jorge Amado, Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The unique storytelling tradition which characterizes Latin American literature has influenced many contemporary artists around the world. Within this context, it is interesting to investigate the work of contemporary artists from around the world who are inspired not only by these authors, but by literature and poetry in general, as seen in works that are typically highly narrative. Naturally, there is a strong emphasis on artists from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia - such as Vik Muniz and Ernesto Neto from Brazil, Monika Bravo from Colombia, but the catalogue is not limited to Latin American artists - see for example Ryan Brown and Tracey Snelling from US, William Kentridge from South Africa - and the literary sources of inspiration also extend to other parts of the world. The works featured are not literal interpretations of these authors' works, but all allude in some way to literature and poetry. The cross between text and image, poetry and poetic subject matter creates a strong thread that ties the works together.

The first monograph on Crispin Gurholt, one of Norway's most prolific and interesting contemporary artists. Gurholt, born 1965 in Oslo where he lives and works, studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Art and at the New York University/Film School SCE. With a background in the film industry--he works as a film and music video director in addition to his artistic practice--Gurholt works with professional specialists in relevant fields, including models, lighting technicians, stylists and special-effects technicians. He has found a method that mixes our understanding of the film medium, the photograph, and relational art's involvement with the public, with symbolism and formal composition borrowed from classical painting. All the main phases of Crispin Gurholt's highly personal style are retraced here from the first tableaux vivant to his last video production, concert performances, and live photo site-specific installation. The monograph is also the catalogue of a 2010 exhibition at the Stenersen Museum in Oslo.