Arnold Aronson

I read this book because I feel that scenic design is an underappreciated art form and I wanted to learn more about it. The book takes a primarily chronological approach and is the result of many hours of interviews with Lee. I grew weary of the rather plodding brief accounts of the process of designing one show after another. I truly enjoyed the account of his teaching methods at Yale, and relatively brief asides in which the author gave Lee's ideas about collaboration, mixing family and professional life, self-critique, inspiration/copying from other artists, and work practice. I was much more interested in his "words of wisdom" than in a plodding catalog of his work. I wish there had been more truly critical input from his peers and students. Plenty of pictures. I wonder what archives will get his collection?… (more)