The History of Art for Dogs

The history of art is a subject that rarely attracts a wide readership. Complex terminology, a plethora of dates and references can deter even the most curious and educated non-specialist. Overcoming this fear and rekindling interest in complex, yet undoubtedly fascinating subjects is often helped by changing one’s perspective. In his book, Alexander Borovsky employs just such a tactic, choosing an extremely original viewpoint for discussing art - inviting us to look at its centuries-old history through the eyes of dogs. The tradition of narrating from the perspective of man's best friend is not new; this device was used by Mikhail Bulgakov and Sasha Cherny, but it seems particularly relevant in contemporary art criticism. Free from imposed aesthetic criteria and templates, dogs provide us with the experience of genuine, unbiased contemplation, which we are not always capable of experiencing in a museum or art gallery. The book is illustrated by the renowned artist Olga Tobreluts, whose name is known to every lover of contemporary art.