Line Let Loose: Scribbling, Doodling and Automatic Drawing

(Hardback)

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Line Let Loose is a sustained investigation of the evolution of scribbling, doodling and automatic drawing. David Maclagan shows that each of these marginal forms of drawing has its own history, which includes spiritualism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and psychedelic art. With reference to Paul Klee, Jackson Pollock, Joan Mir, Cy Twombly and Sol LeWitt, as well as many lesser-known or anonymous artists, he traces the links between them and a pervasive notion concerning the spontaneous and 'unconscious' creation of forms in art. He suggests that the original novelty of these unconventional drawing processes has begun to fade, and he explores their new situation in our modern digital culture.

Reviews

"A carefully organized journey. . . . Of particular value is Maclagan's recognition of the market's impact on the character of a drawing. . . . A valuable final chapter and conclusion address the impact of computers on 'line let loose.' Recommended."
-- "Choice"

Author Bio

David Maclagan is a retired university lecturer and art therapist. His previous books include Creation Myths (1977), Psychological Aesthetics (1999) and Outsider Art (Reaktion Books, 2009).