Art Matters: How the Culture Wars Changed America

Fifteen essays five written for this volume and the others reprinted are arranged in sections on new approaches to visual culture; AIDS, art, and reaction; identity politics; censorship and the chilling effect; and cultural policy and funding for the arts. Some 125 illustrations (mostly small, b&w photos of artwork and artists) supplement the text. Wallis is a culture critic who has edited many collections; the two other editors are affiliated with Art Matters, Inc. The volume includes a chronology of events since 1980 relevant to freedom of expression. Lacks an index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)