M S Bastian & Isabelle L
The Swiss artists M S Bastian and Isabell L are known for a creative approach that erases the border between comics and painting, gathering words, logos, poetry and pictures from everywhere, and blending them all together. This collection of comics, illustrations, drawings, graphics and posters shows the full scope of their range. Benteli Verlag. ISBN 9783716514757. Paperback. $105.
Winfried Nerdinger, ed
A collection of recent architectural work from Baumschlager-Eberle that coincides with an exhibition of their work at the Architecture Museum of Munich University of Technology. Includes 18 new projects with sections on the social acceptance and sustainability of their buildings. Springer Verlag. ISBN 9783211714683. Hardback. $110.
Ulrichadolf Namislow
36 colour cards, each with a number of cut-out squares that allow experimentation with colour combinations. The number of possible four-colour schemes greatly exceeds a million combinations making this an invaluable tool for artists, designers, architects, interior architects and colour fanciers. Verlag Niggli. ISBN 9783721206265. Slipcase. $58.50.
Pacal Lefevre and Bettina Richter
The latest in the Poster Collection series looks at the connections between the graphic language of comics and poster design with works from around the world. Poster designs by well-known artists such as Claude Luyet, Alex Trub and Martin Woodtli as well as a selection of anonymous designers. Lars Müller Publishers. ISBN 9783037780992. Paperback. $54.50.
Peter Bilak and Stuart Bailey
Independent art/design publication which began life as a graphic design magazine, but whose content has gradually widened to cover art, music, language, film and literature. Covers a wide variety of inventive critical writing on all aspects of culture. Princeton Architectural Press. ISBN 9077620087. Paperback. $29.50.
Hertha Hurnaus, et al
The monumental buildings of Eastern modernist architecture are impressive futuristic landmarks with features that display parallels to the sculptural designs of popular contemporary offices. This selection compiles the best examples from the era of socialist late modernism in Slovenia. Springer Verlag. ISBN 9783211715314. Paperback. $82.
Kenneth Frampton
The genealogy of architecture in the 20th century by the doyen of architecture history. Frampton identifies four lines that propel renewal in architecture: the avant-garde, organic architecture, modern and national styles, and industrialisation and prefabrication. An insightful study of the history, theory and motives behind architecture. Springer Verlag. ISBN 9783211311950. Paperback. $70.
Ursula Baus and Mike Schlaich
Bridges have become a focus of increased awareness as highly visible elements that define the urban and non-urban landscape. This detailed presentation of some 65 bridges from 10 European countries includes projects by Büro Arp, Jürg Conzett, Foster and Partners, Buro Happold, Wilkinson Eyre, Jiri Strasky and others. Birkhäuser Verlag. ISBN 9783764381394. Hardback. $180.
Faculty of Architecture at Graz University of Technology
This issue of Graz Architecture Magazine looks at architectural modernism and the emerging realities of a new concept of criticism. Includes articles on the paradoxes of contemporary populism, the emerging role of architects and iconomania or the Stockholm syndrome of architecture. Springer Verlag. ISBN 9783211488607. Paperback. $61.50.
Giosetta Fioroni
Published on the occasion of Fioroni’s exhibition at the International Ceramics Museum in Faenza, this collection of bass relief sculptures of dogs is a new direction for the artist, taking her work into a world of dreams and fantasies in which each of the works is given its own story made real through ceramics. Edizioni Corraini. ISBN 9788875701314. Paperback. $45.
Bruno Munari
A book and DVD set based on interviews with Bruno Munari by Andrea Piccardo. These were to be some of the last interviews with Munari and show the master in his studio with some of his most important design works as well as many that have been simply collected over time, unrealised projects or works of so-called anonymous design. Edizioni Corraini. ISBN 9788875701451. Book with DVD. $47.50.
William Fain
A compact and lovely sketchbook created by architect William Fain during a six-month fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. Exploring the Italian city and countryside by bicycle, Fain used coloured pencil to sketch scenes of the street life, the magnificent landscapes and the architectural marvels of Italy. Balcony Press. ISBN 9781890449322. Hardback. $46.
Eduardo Kac and Avital Ronell
The latest in the Encounter series between writers and artists features Eduardo Kac and Avital Ronell (The Telephone Book). Kac and Ronell collaborate here at the crossroads between a natural history of human-created beings, alternative evolution and the private lives of real but rarely seen creatures. Dis Voir. ISBN 9782914563345. Paperback. $68.
Moritz Zwimpfer
The Niggli Puzzle is a deceptively difficult jigsaw puzzle based on round and square pieces. There are five puzzles each with a patterned image and these designs, in combination with the squares and circles, make up a fiendishly inventive puzzle and a design tool that will appeal to designers and puzzle addicts alike. Verlag Niggli. ISBN 9783721206333. Jigsaw puzzle. $58.50.
Janice Parente
Niki de Saint Phalle, French sculptor, painter and filmmaker, is best known for her large Nana sculptures and her monumental sculpture park The Tarot Garden. This comprehensive monograph covers the eclectic career of one of contemporary art’s most vibrant and idiosyncratic practitioners. Benteli Verlag. ISBN 9783716512586. Hardback. $185.
Beat Presser
For five years Beat Presser lived and worked in monasteries in Thailand, India, Myanmar, Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. His photographs document the daily routines and spiritual practices of the monks, novices and nuns, providing a rare insight into this introspective and simple life, its celebrations and rites. Benteli Verlag. ISBN 9783716514696. Hardback. $90.
Cornel Windlin and Rolf Fehlbaum
An inside look at Vitra’s collaboration with architects and designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, Jasper Morrison, Zaha Hadid, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Mario Bellini, Antonio Citterio, Herzog and de Meuron, and many others. The copiously illustrated chapters tell stories about the places, people and products connected with Vitra. Birkhäuser Verlag. ISBN 9783764385934. Hardback. $93.50.
Mirko Zardini and Giovanna Borasi, eds
The Canadian Centre for Architecture exhibition 1973: Sorry, Out of Gas analyses the oil shock of that year and the response to it by architects. The enormous increase in interest at the time in research into renewable resources as well as social experimentation and political change has had an ongoing influence on the current resource crisis. Edizioni Corraini. ISBN 9788875701437. Hardback. $87.50.
Hans-Rudolf Lutz
Hans-Rudolf Lutz has been collecting logos from cardboard boxes for many years and now has a collection of many thousands of examples. His collection of thematically arranged symbols and pictograms is a fascinating insight into the various forms these images can take. Verlag Niggli. ISBN 9783721206395. Hardback. $135.
Roland Knaeur
A foundational work for architects, designers and lay people with an interest in cultural history and an exceptional physical object: the layout makes it easy to combine different design steps, and the separate binding of individual groups of pages makes doing so even easier. The result is a kind of construction set that invites the reader to play as well as research. Birkhäuser Verlag. ISBN 9783764367619. Hardback. $230.
Gil Garcetti
Award-winning photographer Gil Garcetti has created a visual document intended to show the world why Water is Key. Containing 80 compelling black-and-white photographs that illustrate the immediate need for safe water and the dramatic results that can be achieved through the help of NGOs and involved citizens. Princeton Architectural Press. ISBN 9781890449452. Hardback. $110.
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