Art is complicated.I sought this book out because I'm a fan of the photographer, Dolly Faibyshev. Her work is displayed in art galleries and has been published in The New Yorker, Le Monde, TIME, The New York Times, Businessweek, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, W Magazine, The Village Voice, and other publications.In 'The Best of Show', Faibyshev's photos take an affectionate and humorous look at the the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She uses her super-saturated flash photos to illuminate the absurd, surreal nature of the show while also maintaining a deep affection for the dogs and their people. (The book is at at least as much about the people who participate as the dogs if not more so.)As an example, in one photo, Faibyshev's lens shows the neatly coifed rear end of a dog and the dog's person. The coat and clothes match colors which almost begs the question about 'who' is really on show.But the book isn't cynical. It also features endearing photos of dogs and their people, as found in an example of a dog whose face is lovingly held in the person's hands. One cannot look at these photos and not feel the genuine affection shared between the people and their animals.As in an art museum, the work is displayed without text. It is meant to stand on its own. Nothing is prescribed. The viewer is asked to 'Look', capital 'L'. The photos stand on their own. No subtitles required.For our part, we keep the photo on the bookshelf of our game room. We've watched as visitors 'read' the book, smile and laugh. Invariably, the book is passed around during parties.Art can be complicated. Art can be about love, humor, absurdity and joy. Or, as in this case: all of them at the same time.Recommended for:• This book is for fans of Art Photography.• For those who find whimsy and humor in the conceits of humanity.• For Animal lovers who don't take themselves too seriously.Not recommended for:• Those seeking a clinical text book on dog shows.• Those with impaired senses of humor.