Review by Choice Review
This aptly titled work considers not the how-to of improvisation but rather the motivation and meaning behind spontaneous creation. Does the improvising artist represent the ultimate celebration of life's impulses, or is she/he doomed to merely repeat cliches, no matter how skilled in craftsmanship? How does competition between members of an improvising ensemble assist or hinder the process? What is the role of spectator interaction? The book wrestles with many provocative issues, such as whether improvised artworks should be preserved or whether taking them "out of the moment" dilutes their import. Providing a rich selection of quotations from major Continental philosophers, Peters (critical and cultural theory, York St. John Univ., UK) also offers supporting anecdotal interviews with practitioners of improvisation, not only performing artists but also visual artists who deliberately incorporate public viewing of their works in developmental stages. This is a work for anyone who teaches or wishes to reflect on the creative process. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals. C. Wadsworth Walker Illinois Central College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
