Creation is an impressive testament to the beauty and uniqueness of our planet and its inhabitants. Young photographic artist Harry Skeggs passionately dedicates himself to documenting the diversity of life on Earth. This visually stunning book, featuring over 100 photographs, movingly showcases the biodiversity of our planet.
Skeggs aims to raise urgent awareness about the necessity of conservation and preserving the natural habitats of animals through his images. And he accomplishes this masterfully. In a time of increasing extinction of numerous species, Harry, through his creative work, provides an especially emotional connection to this issue.
As one flips through the pages of this extraordinary book, the viewer is inevitably filled with profound respect for the power of nature, life, and its simultaneous vulnerability. That’s why, it bears the title Creation.
The high-calibre photographs directly reflect the passion they were captured with. Skeggs invested months, and sometimes even years, in the preparation and effort for each shot. Capturing animals in their natural environment with such freedom and immediacy requires exact planning. The resulting photographs are flawless, and among connoisseurs, they are considered masterful and iconic.
The visually stunning coffee table book Creation is a monumental manifesto about sustainability, conservation, and love for animals. Anyone willing to immerse themselves in the wild beauty of our planet will undoubtedly be captivated by this photographic masterpiece.
Text in English and German.
Pio Abad’s artistic practice is concerned with the personal and political entanglements of objects. His wide-ranging body of work, encompassing drawing, painting, textiles, installation and text, mines alternative or repressed historical events and offers counternarratives that draw out threads of complicity between incidents, ideologies and people. Deeply informed by unfolding events in the Philippines, where the artist was born and raised, his work emanates from a family narrative woven into the nation’s story. Abad’s parents were at the forefront of the anti-dictatorship struggle in the Philippines during the 1970s and 80s and it is the need to remember this history that has shaped the foundations of his work.
This beautifully designed book accompanies the Ashmolean Museum’s second exhibition of its new Ashmolean NOW series, featuring the work of Pio Abad. Abad’s artistic practice is concerned with the personal and political entanglements of objects. His wide-ranging body of work, which includes drawing, painting, installation, textiles and text, mines alternative or repressed historical events, offering counternarratives. Abad’s new works link narratives found in the Museum’s collections and Oxford with his personal life in the UK and Philippines, where the artist was born and raised. The book features a new text by Abad and contributions by art historical experts including Dan Hicks.
We the Forest aims to ‘rewild the imagination’ by opening children’s eyes afresh to the wonder of forests through a meld of science and contemporary artwork. New scientific discoveries show that the interconnectedness of the forest runs deeper than we ever imagined. This title explores how all life in the forest is linked and our own human connection to and dependence on the forest.
Engaging text evokes the magic of forests – from how trees communicate to their superpowers of regeneration and protection of the planet – accompanied by commissioned illustrations. Interspersed throughout are arresting artworks inspired by forests from a wide variety of contemporary artists: learn to speak in ‘tree’ with Katie Holten’s tree alphabet, peer through Levon Biss’s lens to see what a giant beetle would look like, or witness the terrible beauty of forest fires in Jeff Frost’s photos. Interactive elements encourage the reader in their own creative projects.
Award-winning writer René Balcer is best known for his hit series Law & Order and Criminal Intent. Much less is known about his startling photographic work, shared only with his close friends and colleagues – until now!
This offers 500 photographs showcasing Balcer’s trademark crime scene aesthetic. The stunning images range from West Africa to the Utah desert, from a remote Arctic village to a seedy Brooklyn bar, with photos full of narrative mystery. There is a section on pre-Covid China, a China many say has since vanished. Also included is a unique homage to Balcer’s adoptive city of Los Angeles, and a ground-breaking photo-essay on Buenos Aires’ posh Recoleta neighbourhood.
Marked by wry social commentary and breath-taking beauty and framed by insightful essays from noted Contemporary Art expert Robert Hobbs, renowned artist Xu Bing, and bestselling mystery writer Naomi Hirahara, these compelling never-before-seen photos are now presented in a glorious high-quality publication.
Award-winning writer René Balcer is best known for his hit series Law & Order and Criminal Intent. Much less is known about his startling photographic work, shared only with his close friends and colleagues – until now!
This offers 500 photographs showcasing Balcer’s trademark crime scene aesthetic. The stunning images range from West Africa to the Utah desert, from a remote Arctic village to a seedy Brooklyn bar, with photos full of narrative mystery. There is a section on pre-Covid China, a China many say has since vanished. Also included is a unique homage to Balcer’s adoptive city of Los Angeles, and a ground-breaking photo-essay on Buenos Aires’ posh Recoleta neighbourhood.
Marked by wry social commentary and breath-taking beauty and framed by insightful essays from noted Contemporary Art expert Robert Hobbs, renowned artist Xu Bing, and bestselling mystery writer Naomi Hirahara, these compelling never-before-seen photos are now presented in a glorious high-quality publication.
Cybèle Varela (born in Petrópolis, 1943) is one of the key figures of the New Figuration in Brazil.
The essays and interview included in this volume shed new light on Varela’s emergence in the 1960s Brazilian and 1970s French art scenes. They examine her unique approach to the exploration of Pop Art visuality by considering the role played by mass culture, social and political issues, as well as transnational experiences in the making of the artist’s early production.
The volume also explores Varela’s contribution to international artistic discourses, including Pop Art, Narrative Figuration, Photography and Video Art.
If you are a true chocolate professional, then The Chocolatier’s Shop is your professional bible. In this book you will find answers to all questions to start or grow your chocolate shop: How do I build or further expand my brand? Which products do I include in my range? How do I deal with staff and customers? Which tools do I absolutely need? How do I manage my stock?
Pioneering for 40 years in an industry where long-term success is rare, Studio Piet Boon stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence. This book serves as a testament to their accomplishments, featuring 40 design ideas. It is complete with mesmerising photography and detailed insights into the studio’s most recent projects and iconic products. All these have been conceived through collaboration with their clients and a diverse, talented team – the fundamental building blocks of Studio Piet Boon.
“We’re pleased to introduce 40 by Studio Piet Boon. It’s a book that talks about our values and the successful collaborations that build our brand. The book is a source of inspiration and fresh ideas, expressing our commitment to making timeless designs.” – Piet Boon – Founder of Studio Piet Boon
The book, conceptualised and authored by Herbert Ypma, not only unveils the studio’s design aesthetics but also delves into the role of art, cultural history, and philosophy and how these elements are integrated into the specific project designs at different locations.
This edition, limited to 100 copies, is signed and with an exclusive box that can be turned into a book stand.
Catalogue of the exhibition dedicated by La Galleria Nazionale di Roma to Vasco Bendini on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, which opened in March 2022. The volume accompanies the discovery of the career of one of the major artists of the second half of the Italian 20th century, from his early training with Giorgio Morandi, up to the great Roman solo exhibitions and the Biennales of his maturity. The work of Vasco Bendini, dear to critics such as Francesco Arcangeli and Maurizio Calvesi, opens in the immediate postwar period, following an informal language in search of the volto as a universal archetype, to then focus on gesture and matter, under the influence of, among others, Jean Fautrier. The 1960s are characterised by the inclusion in the paintings of heterogeneous objects and materials, in an approach to Arte Povera and then, with actions and installations, to the Neodada way of doing things. The central objective for Bendini remains in fact the involvement of the viewer, in a fruitful dialogue necessary for the development of his poetics. A large selection of archival photos, along with essays and alleri productions of the works, is flanked by a critical anthology and unpublished writings by the Master.
Text in English and Italian.
A cute new series for pre-school children to start gaining more confidence with learning numbers, colours and animals. A funny and original layout created by the creativity of our bestselling illustrator for young children, Agnese Baruzzi, gives a new and interesting perspective to evergreen topics. Learn to count from 1 to 100 with the busy bees, how to create new colours and how many colourful animals there are on the planet! Ages: 3 plus
A cute series for pre-school children to start gaining more confidence with numbers and colours. In the first volume, children will understand the relationship between numbers and quantity, to learn to count to 100 and to develop their math skills. In the second volume, colours are introduced using items taken from familiar contexts so that the little readers can learn new words as well as the theory of colours, how to distinguish primary colours and how to mix them to make new ones. The intent of these big board books is to stimulate the interest of pre-school children in the world of numbers and colours. The books are presented in the form of delightful games to help the readers learning and understanding in a visual and easy way. Ages: 3 plus
A cute series for pre-school children to start gaining more confidence with numbers and colours. In the first volume, children will understand the relationship between numbers and quantity, to learn to count to 100 and to develop their math skills. In the second volume, colours are introduced using items taken from familiar contexts so that the little readers can learn new words as well as the theory of colours, how to distinguish primary colours and how to mix them to make new ones. The intent of these big board books is to stimulate the interest of pre-school children in the world of numbers and colours. The books are presented in the form of delightful games to help the readers learning and understanding in a visual and easy way. Ages: 3 plus
The architect Paul Tissier (1886-1926) turned his short life into a multi-faceted artistic adventure. A student at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, where he founded the Association symphonique, he became president of the famous Quat’z’Arts ball. His talent as a watercolourist and draughtsman made him a witness to the ruins of the 1914-1918 war. Whether in the devastated regions or on the Côte d’Azur, he developed a unique catalogue of modular houses inspired by the region, combining traditional architecture with modern design. In 1923, Tissier was entrusted by the Société des grands hôtels de Nice with the organisation of exceptional festivities based on themes such as Russia, the Far East, Ancient Rome and Latin America, as well as underwater kingdoms and many other fantasies revolving around childhood, fashion and cubism. With his wife Gisèle, he was responsible for both the scenography and the staging: splendidly coloured painted canvases, extravagant costumes, spectacular dances, processions, naval jousts, fireworks and illuminations… A shooting star, Paul Tissier created almost 100 festivities across Europe in three years, before suddenly passing away. This first monograph draws on the 400 set elements and 2,000 graphic documents that survive in his archive, taking us to the heart of the excesses of the Roaring Twenties.
Text in French.
Creative play has a fundamental role in children’s development. For this reason, creative expression should be encouraged and supported from a young age, including by providing children with the foundational tools they need to express themselves. Each of this book’s 3 chapters is dedicated to a primary colour (red, yellow and blue) with a storyline that enables children to understand the basics of colour theory so that they can intentionally express their vision on the pages within. Ages 3-5
Women played crucial roles in the history of rock music. Without Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel-singing electric guitarist, rock might never have been born. Janis Joplin and Grace Slick were forefront in the growing hippie subculture that marked a decade. Aretha Franklin gave sound to the civil rights movement. Riot Grrrl brought forward both feminism and punk. Women Rock! honours the unique contributions of 46 female artists with noteworthy contributions to rock music. These women are inspirational figures who have encouraged generations of girls to pursue their dreams – musical and otherwise.
Timed for the company’s centennial, this spectacularly illustrated coffee-table book traces the awesome evolution of BMW motorcycles from the birth of its iconic R23 “airhead” boxer twin, in 1923, to the superlative race-winning S100RR superbike Images complemented by enrapturing text describing the personalities and societal forces behind these beloved two-wheeled models. Decade by decade, motorcycle enthusiast, journalist, and photographer Christopher P. Baker captures its wide-reaching revolution from pre-war road bikes to post-war award-winning six-cylinder touring bikes. Pick it up and never put it down.
What do the Great Wall of China, Georgia’s polyphonic singing, the Mediterranean diet and the Vanuatu sand drawings have in common? Despite their evident dissimilarity, they are all protected by UNESCO, the supranational organisation that is responsible for preserving the common cultural heritage of humanity, protecting it from disappearance and ensuring its conservation for future generations. The Great Wall of China is one of the natural and cultural sites that comprise the famous list of World Heritage Sites, compiled by UNESCO while the other three are part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage list that includes immaterial goods. In fact, in 2003, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage with the intent to safeguard the traditional cultures and folklore of our planet. Today, over 400 practices and expressions from more than 100 countries represent the riches and demonstrate the cultural diversity of the populations in the world. Appearing on this variegated list of traditions are the art of the ‘pizzaiuoli’ – the pizza makers of Naples, the Carnival of Basel, the Rebetiko music of Greece, Japanese kabuki theatre, Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, the Brazilian capoeira, Chinese shadow puppetry and the mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith, Kumbh Mela. This book of photographs and splendid illustrations will guide you on your discovery of the Intangible Cultural Heritage list; a journey that will open your eyes to the cultural riches of our planet and to the importance of preserving them for future generations.
See some of the world’s most exciting nature destinations through exquisite photography – and find out how you can visit them, too! From the ice caves of Iceland to diving in Mexico’s cenotes, this stunning book showcases some of the most glorious destinations and thrilling adventures across the globe. Leafing through the inviting images, real and armchair voyagers can admire and learn about Hawaii’s incredible painted forest, Canada’s magical Northern Lights, the colours of the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, the gorillas of Rwanda, and nomadic life in Mongolia. For anyone planning a trip, there’s also valuable information and priceless travel advice, as well as in-depth cultural analysis and inspirational quotes.
What would life be like without cars, television, the Internet and computers, or the omnipresent smartphone? Setting aside the question of whether things would be better or worse, what we do know for sure is that today there are some inventions that we just can’t do without. And yet some of them are very recent, in their infancy we might say, while others are a little over a century old, which in any case is but a blip if compared to the history of humanity. They all have changed the existence of a considerable number of people, their advent has been such a breakthrough that it has always marked a “before” and “after”. The result of the brilliant intuition of exceptional men and women, of the perseverance and tenacity of great entrepreneurs or ingenious ideas of common people, these inventions have influenced and changed medicine, society, economics, culture, and history itself.
This book full of curiosities and explanations will guide readers to the discovery of the most important inventions that have influenced the contemporary world, from the end of the 19th century to our own time, revealing the secrets and events that led to their creation and introducing the exceptional figures who conceived them.
The office complex in Karlsruhe is considered as Tadao Ando’s first urban design in Germany. The publication provides exclusive insights into the creation and planning of the building. Architecture photographs and building plans show Ando’s design formula: reduction to the essentials, exposed concrete on the scale of the tatami mats, strict geometries, precision and refined detail give the building its characteristic touch. The architect and client agreed on creating an aesthetic and energy-efficient building that meets the latest technical standards and offers the employees the best working conditions.
Text in English and German.
Architekturbild, the European Architectural Photography Prize, has been awarded on a two-yearly basis since 1995. Numerous synonyms are offered for the term “stopgap”, such as replacement, emergency solution, transitional or interim solution. We all know such expedients from the private environment as well as from public life. The 28 awarded series of EAP 2023 show stopgaps that make us smile tolerantly or thoughtful, they discover imaginative solutions, but they can also point out to shortcomings.
Text in English and German.
Poodling is a vernacular approach to pruning shrubbery: a negotiation between gardener and shrub that pits human aesthetic intention against the genetic forces that guide the plant’s natural development. Topiary shears shrubs into a singular form geometric or figure; poodling, in contrast, treats each branch individually and shapes its leaves or needles into the forms that remain at their ends.
In this informed, if light-hearted, telling of the story, noted landscape historian Marc Treib traces the evolution and characteristics of topiary, espalier, and other forms of plant guidance such as poodling, proposing that what began as functional horticultural practices was transformed into a vehicle for artistic expression. Poodling catalogues the forms of pruning we encounter today and their probable origin in Japan during the 18th century. Noting the parallels, he compares the forms of poodling (vegetal) with those of the canine species poodle (animal), and the manners by which the dog’s hair has been clipped. Richly illustrated with photographs by the author taken in many countries over three decades, this is an informative book that everyone can enjoy.
For many flower lovers, the orchid is the epitome of luxury, grace and beauty. In the new book in the Floramour series Floramour: Orchids, author Anja Klaffenbach pays tribute to this queen of the flower world. She not only illuminates the filigree flower wonder with spectacular photographs and sketches, but also presents exciting background information, packed into and entertaining texts.
Orchid breeding has a long tradition and by now more than 28,000 species and more than 100,000 hybrids and varieties are known. And perhaps the diversity of these ornamental plants can also be explained from a historical perspective. In this colourful coffee-table book, Klaffenbach explores this question and paints a portrait of the orchid through the ages. The aesthetics of the flower were already highly valued in ancient China. It served as a symbol of purity and luxury. In Japan, it was the distinguishing mark of the noble warrior caste of the samurai and was found on the clothing and weapons of the fighters. In Hinduism, the lovely orchid is a representative of wealth and prosperity and a coveted offering at numerous religious festivals.
Europe has also become addicted to the tropical beauty. In Victorian England, there was a veritable run on the colourful flower. The flower was regarded as an unmistakable testimony to exquisite taste and classical elegance. The plants quickly advanced to become a high-class gift that expressed the high esteem of the bearer in perfect form.
Even today, the orchid enjoys a large fan community. For them, the coffee table book Floramour: Orchids is the perfect inspiring read to learn even more about their own favourite flower.
Text in English and German.
The mashrabiya originated in the ancient world. As a scalable latticed window screen, whose intricate geometries developed with the spread of Islam, it provided ventilation, shade, and privacy to buildings. Today, as restoration efforts revive centuries-old architecture across Cairo and an interest in craft is rekindled by a global maker movement, the wood-turned mashrabiya are not only poignant metaphors for artists, architects, and writers but also sources of inspiration for nascent wood artisans. This publication, the first dedicated to the study of the mashrabiya, connects a culturally specific craft with contemporary artistic practice. Through photographs conveying the beauty and artistry of these wooden structures as well as contemporary works by leading artists, the complex beauty and meaning of the mashrabiya are brought to life.