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A Dictionary of the Avant-Gardes (1993) is an art history book by Richard Kostelanetz with a particular focus on avant-garde art covering artists, performers, movements, and styles from music, film, literature, the visual arts, dance, and theater. The two criteria for inclusion are aesthetic innovation and initial unacceptability, plus art that is extreme, unique, distinct, coherent, witty, technological, and aesthetically resonant.

In the words of the author, "this book was written not just to be consulted but to be read from beginning to end."

The artists included are mainly twentieth century, with no birth date earlier than Edward Lear's (1812). Included are Muybridge, Bierce, and Stravinsky, Christo Laurie Anderson, Eisenstein, James Joyce, Merce Cunningham, Buckminster Fuller, Mary Quant, Allen Ginsberg. Topical entries include kinetic art, serial music, Zaum (poetry), SoHo, and Something Else Press. Entries are alphabetically arranged, with dates and alternative names. There are cross-references to appropriate headings

See also

• Richard Kostelanetz
• Avant-garde

References

• A Dictionary of the Avant-Gardes (1993) ISBN 0-415-93764-7