---
product_id: 17688330
title: "Why Your Five-Year-Old Could Not Have Done That: From Slashed Canvas to Unmade Bed, Modern Art Explained Paperback – September 25, 2012"
brand: "susie hodge"
price: "฿1267"
currency: THB
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.co.th/products/17688330-why-your-five-year-old-could-not-have-done-that
store_origin: TH
region: Thailand
---

# Why Your Five-Year-Old Could Not Have Done That: From Slashed Canvas to Unmade Bed, Modern Art Explained Paperback – September 25, 2012

**Brand:** susie hodge
**Price:** ฿1267
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Why Your Five-Year-Old Could Not Have Done That: From Slashed Canvas to Unmade Bed, Modern Art Explained Paperback – September 25, 2012 by susie hodge
- **How much does it cost?** ฿1267 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.th](https://www.desertcart.co.th/products/17688330-why-your-five-year-old-could-not-have-done-that)

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- susie hodge enthusiasts

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Skeptics can be influenced
  

*by R***R on Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2013*

I believe that most modern art is simply a clever exercise to extract money from those with too much money and no sense of what makes good art.  Having confessed to my bias, I strongly recommend this book.The author exposed me to new artists and shared her rich understanding of modern art in its historic and artistic context.  She shares the often less than obvious message that the artist is attempting to communicate.  For example, the author provides the following about Artist's S*** by Piero Manzoni: "The work parodies inflated values of art and also exploits consumerism, particularly the developing preoccupation with packaging and possessions.  Meanwhile, the contents of the can represent the ultimate use of waste as an art material."  (p. 116-7).  I would not be willing to purchase the art priced at the equivalent of its weight in gold, but I can better appreciate the multi-layered message and the creative process that generated the idea for this piece of art.The most valuable contribution for me was making explicit the implicit assumptions about art that some of the artists are challenging.  For example, the author provides the following about the Fountain by Marcel Duchamp:  "The most famous provocation of the art world began when the Frenchman Marcel Duchamp bought a standard urinal from a New York hardware store...  (W)ith one simple but outrageous act, Duchamp proved that the modern artist is not sovereign, and that institutions such as museums also do much to determine what is art... Duchamp posed other questions about art, among them, what are the characteristics and conditions that define an object as a work of art?  Should art appeal primarily to the eye (not primarily to the mind), and should it involve some transformation of materials or can a pre-made object be considered for its merits? (p.102-3)With more books like this one, perhaps we will all be less judgmental and more appreciative of modern art and the artists who share their messages with us.

### ⭐⭐ 







  
  
    It not the art, it's the artist
  

*by W***D on Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015*

Let me start by saying that I like and enjoy modern abstract art, not all of it, but much of it.  I also know that many probably have said, "My five year old could have done that."  Hodge admits that some of the art, or something like it, that she illustrates in her book could have been done by a five year old.  Her proviso, though, is that no five year old could have produced any of these art works with the intention that the artists of these works, or critics, claim for the works.  I'm sure that is true.Hodge gives a brief history of the development of modern abstract art and highlights the move from works that require considerable artistic skill to works that communicate emotional, social or political views.  In fact, some of the works were produced by "artists" of limited or absent traditional artistic skill. Thus, previously, art could be appreciated by the viewer for its own sake without knowing anything about the artist or even knowing who the artist was.  This is more than an evolutionary change; this is revolutionary and in fact completely changes the notion or art.To my mind the problem, which she doesn't address, is twofold.  First, a lot of modern abstract art isn't  something I particularly want to look at.  It's sometimes interesting, but rarely attractive.  Secondly, and more importantly, it doesn't effectively communicate the ideas that Hodge claims the works are trying to communicate.  Kline's bold abstracts may communicate chaos or angst, but most communicate nothing.  Some of the artists even say they aren't trying to communicate anything.  Thus they fail to communicate or please.I'm reminded of a quote from Warhol: "Art is what you can get away with."  A lot of art(ists) in cahoots with are critics are pulling off a giant scam.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Best beginners guide to modern art
  

*by M***K on Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2013*

I think this book is excellent for beginners.  I have a number of books covering classic and modern art.  What I like most about this book is that Hodge's explanation for each work and artist is pretty easy to understand.  The other books have too much jargon.  There is jargon here too but there is enough to get the idea for each piece and to understand the perspective of the artist.  What i learned for the first time is that contemporary art breaks the traditional view that art must be about beauty and technical painting, drawing, sculpturing ability.  Rather today's artist tries to convey complex ideas in a graphic format.  I can now go to the other books I have on modern and contemporary art and get further detail on the art or artist.  Many people dislike contemporary or modern art.  They cannot abide having art that is ugly, nonsensical or preachy.  Some of the art and artists I like and some I do not.  I may not even like the idea that is being conveyed.  However, now I can understand it, even if I do not like it.

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*Last updated: 2026-03-02*