From Library Journal
You need look no further than the plain, pressed-board binding with the full-faced Vari-Vue cover on which Obie award-winning performance artist John Kelly transforms into, alternately, Dagmar Onassis and Egon Schiele, two of his most famous characters to know that this inaugural title from 2wice Books is special. New York City is the altar of performance art, and since 1980 Kelly has been one of its most prominent acolytes. Following a trenchant introduction by noted art critic Philip Yenawine, Kelly addresses a number of his influences, themes, and issues in a section of nine short essays. The bulk of the text is then given over to Kelly's comments and an explication of his performance works, each of which notes production credits. An aesthetic coda, as well as an awards list and a performance chronology, completes the book. The visual surfeit of over 100 color and black-and-white photographs, drawings, and journal entries justifies the purchase of this book as a work of photographic excellence, even if the occasional use of day-glo orange is stylistically jarring. The knock on performance art has always been its inaccessibility and insular quality. But Kelly's work and words demonstrate a fervent desire to connect, and despite his restricted New York venues, this book will be of importance for all specialized modern theater, dance, and performing arts collections. Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Great photographers capture and interpret the performances of a madcap artist

Whether singing the songs of Robert Schumann or crooning Joni Mitchell, whether personifying the tortured Antonin Artaud, the glamorous Dagmar Onassis, or the enigmatic Mona Lisa, the performance artist, singer and dancer John Kelly is all diva, all talent, all the time.

With great pathos, gesture, kindness, intelligence and sensitivity, John Kelly portrays the emotional extremes of his subjects in all their complexity, yet with a grand sense of romance and humor.

Aperture is proud to present Kelly's remarkably expressive, poignant work for the first time in publication. John Kelly will profile this unique and singular talent as seen through the eyes of great photographers, including John Dugdale, Nan Goldin, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Peter Hujar, Dona Ann McAdams and others. The images will be complemented by Philip Yenawine's eloquent introduction and John Kelly's own extensive writings.

John Kelly is published by Aperture in association with 2wice Books.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Great photographers capture and interpret the performances of a madcap artist

Whether singing the songs of Robert Schumann or crooning Joni Mitchell, whether personifying the tortured Antonin Artaud, the glamorous Dagmar Onassis, or the enigmatic Mona Lisa, the performance artist, singer and dancer John Kelly is all diva, all talent, all the time.

With great pathos, gesture, kindness, intelligence and sensitivity, John Kelly portrays the emotional extremes of his subjects in all their complexity, yet with a grand sense of romance and humor.

Aperture is proud to present Kelly's remarkably expressive, poignant work for the first time in publication. Performance: John Kelly will profile this unique and singular talent as seen through the eyes of great photographers, including John Dugdale, Nan Goldin, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Peter Hujar, Dona Ann McAdams and others. The images will be complemented by Philip Yenawine's eloquent introduction and John Kelly's own extensive writings.

Performance: John Kelly is published by Aperture in association with 2wice Books.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal