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From the Studebaker and the Slinky "RM" to the TWA terminal and paintings by Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko, 1940 to 1960 was a compelling era for the arts in America. Artists and designers responded to the atomic-age anxieties of the postwar period with "vital" forms -- organic imagery and biomorphic shapes based on nature. These forms proliferated during the optimism of the late '40s and '50s prosperity, in Tupperware "RM" and the Hula Hoop as well as Eames chairs and Calder mobiles.

Examining visual arts from an interdisciplinary perspective, Vital Forms focuses on the development and ascendancy of organic imagery. Essays placing the works in historical context, hundreds of photos, and an engaging mix of fine art and commercial design make this a must-have for serious art and design enthusiasts and fans of American popular culture.

Presenting a slice of American life from 1940 to 1960, this exhibition catalog examines the emergence of abstract organic forms (or "vital forms") and their assimilation into the arts and popular culture of mid-century America. From Alexander Calder's sculpture to the slinky and every step in between, the authors look at abstract natural forms within advertising, commercial design, decorative arts, and the fine arts. The exhibition is organized by the Brooklyn Museum of Art and is the third in a series devoted to exploring the interdisciplinary evolution of American art. Rapaport (associate curator of contemporary art, Brooklyn Museum of Art) and Stanyon (chair of decorative arts, Brooklyn Museum of Art), the principal authors of this catalog, present a thought-provoking and entertaining look back at a reactionary, but cautionary, period in American art and culture. The essays examine larger cultural and social issues as well as art history from the perspective of the mid-20th century. Well written and abundantly illustrated, with a helpful bibliography and index, this work is recommended for all libraries. Kraig Binkowski, Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.