Invented Symbols: An Art Autobiography

Invented Symbols: An Art Autobiography
by Alex Katz

Discussion Questions

1.  List some of the ways that Katz's family was different than others in their neighborhood. How do you think Alex was affected by his family's uniqueness? (p. 21)

2.  Discuss Katz's experience at Cooper Union. How did it differ from the experience you may have had in school, whether art-related or otherwise? (p. 34)

3.  Who/what were some of the artists/exhibitions that affected Katz early in his career? (p. 48-49)

4. Katz is quoted as classifying his work as "contemporary representational painting". What does this term mean? How did his work differ from classical representational painting? Can representational painting still be fresh today? Provide examples. (p. 58)

5.  Katz said, "When you make paintings, it's like writing in the desert. You don't know what you've done, until someone tells you." (p. 60) What does Katz mean by this statement?

6.  Who were some of the artists that inspired Katz's paintings of women? What did he draw from these inspirations? (p. 63)

7.  In the first paragraph of Chapter 5, Katz says "each city has its own tastes." Do you agree? Provide examples. (p. 69)

8.  Katz said showing his work on billboards in Times Square was "one of the great experiences" of his life. Why did he find these to be so successful?  (p. 99)

9. According to Katz, how do art and fashion differ? (p. 112)

10. How did Katz's work and ideals about art expand through his work on costumes and sets with the Paul Taylor Dance Company? (p. 139)