This exciting collection of David Goldblatt's essays, available for the first time in one volume, uses the metaphor of ventriloquism to help understand a variety of art world phenomena. It examines how the vocal vacillation between ventriloquist and dummy works within the roles of artist, artwork and audience as a conveyance to the audience of the performer's intentions, emotions and beliefs through a created performative persona. Considering key works, including those of Nietzsche, Foucault, Socrates, Derrida, Cavell and Wittgenstein, Goldblatt examines how the authors use the framework of ventriloquism to construct and negate issues in art and architecture. He ponders 'self-plagiarism'; why the classic philosopher cannot speak for himself, but must voice his thoughts through fictional characters or inanimate objects and works. With a close analysis of two ventriloquist paintings by Jasper Johns and Paul Klee, a critical commentary by Garry L. Hagberg, and preface by series editor Saul Ostrow, Goldblatt's thoroughly fascinating book will be an invaluable asset to students of cultural studies, art, and philosophy.

"Like ventriloquial dummies, artworks take on personalities, characters of their own, often saying what the artist herself would or could not say in voices distinct from her (our) daily modes of expression. Goldblatt uses ventriloquism as an apt metaphor to help understand a variety of art-world phenomena - how the vocal vacillation between ventriloquist and dummy is mimicked in the relationship of artist, artwork and audience, including the ways in which artworks are interpreted. Moreover, Goldblatt employs the concept of ventriloquism to generate insights into many of our important philosophers' writings on the arts, discussing the work of Nietzsche, Foucault, Derrida, Cavell, and Wittgenstein, among others."--BOOK JACKET.

How to talk to your hand without looking stupid.

One of the world's most famous magicomedians and ventriloquists discusses every aspect of his art, revealing a wealth of insider's tricks. Schindler shows how to cultivate a variety of voices and offers helpful suggestions for putting an act together, developing comedy material and scripts, and handling bookings and publicity. 38 figures and photos.

Easy-to-follow guide offers expert advice from an internationally renowned performer. Helpful tips on "near" ventriloquism, the doll dummy, hand puppets, shadowgraphs and cardboard dummies, staging and entertainment, "distant" ventriloquism, more. 48 illustrations.

Examines the best of the Golden Age of ventriloquism, by profiling five performers who turned a vaudevillian gimmick into an American art form, including Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchell, Jimmy Nelson and Shari Lewis.