The palaces built in Rome in the 17th and 18th centuries are some of the most magnificent buildings in Europe – yet they remain relatively unfamiliar. This is the first stand-alone overview guide ever published. We produce it as a companion volume to our revised edition of Anthony Blunt’s seminal A Guide to Baroque Rome: The Churches.
In this volume, Anthony Langdon draws on an encyclopedic knowledge of the hugely productive scholarship in the field, which he distills with elegance, acumen and wit. Over the last 30 years all aspects of the design, construction, decoration and functions of these great houses have been examined and our understanding of the period has been transformed. Scholars and visitors will find this volume stimulating, concise and eminently readable.
The rich illustrations include over 140 contemporary prints, as well as plans, elevations, and specially taken photographs. Full references and indexes complete this indispensable aid to further research.
After the great success of the first issue, we are now following up with the eagerly awaited Volume II. Guido Weiß alias DJ MAD from the ABSOLUTE BEGINNER has fished out 366 absolute gems from the last four decades from his extensive and well-stocked vinyl collection for this fine hip-hop and rap tear-off calendar.
In addition to the well-known US classics, there are also many French, English and German artists. An absolute must for all B-boys and girls out there! And of course, many albums can be played immediately using the printed SPOTIFY codes.
When African-American music broke out of the church in the early 1960s and singers such as Ray Charles and Sam Cooke added secular lyrics to gospel in order to tap into a new audience, the 7″ single was the medium of the hour. The early soul LPs were mostly compilations of successful singles, enriched with cover versions, but this was to change radically in 1971 when Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” against the resistance of his label Motown. After that, there was no stopping him.
Sly & The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, The Temptations, James Brown and countless criminally ignored groups used the medium to comment on grievances and experiment. Songs stretched over ten minutes and left the radio-friendly three-minute format. The music was also given a visual aesthetic, the musicians were given a face and told their story on the backs of the covers. Anyone who had previously raved about Al Green’s voice could now hold him in their hands as an LP, reclining on a wicker chair in a white suit.
Today, original LPs are traded for sometimes dizzying sums. Record shops and online exchanges are booming. The feel of the record, the crackling when the needle grips the groove, analogue playback and, last but not least, DJ culture have simply defied the logic of technological progress. They say that the dead live longer. This certainly applies to the LP. This calendar is dedicated to the aura that only an original pressing can have.
Planned at the same time as his great Apocalypse, Dürer’s series of woodcuts illustrating the Passion of Christ, produced between 1497 and 1510, is one of the summits of his art and an astonishing sixteenth-century demonstration of virtuosic printmaking. Dürer’s meditation on the final moments of Jesus’ story is both awe-inspiring and profoundly human.
The leading artist of the German Reformation, and close collaborator of Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach was one of the most influential and prolific printmakers of the northern Renaissance. His spare and eloquent images of the Passion series, begun in 1509, are among his finest creations; they have a drama and pathos that rival the work of his exact contemporary Dürer.
Design models are an integral part of the design process, as prototypes and providers of ideas for those products that are later launched on the market as serial and mass goods. However, working with models is an interdisciplinary undertaking: The book reflects the design model as the basis for future concepts, as a collector’s item in a museum and in its actual function as a planning and work tool for designers and model builders.
Text in English and German.
The CARE Principles – Leadership Playbook leads us into the new era of leadership. This book shows us how to bridge the gap between different and diverse generations in our teams using the CARE Principles: Collaboration, Agility, Reliability, and Empathy. Through an easy 20 step process, practical tips and real-life stories from leaders like you, it breaks down how CARE can transform your team, making them perform better and feel truly engaged with your organization. The time for new leadership action is now.
Contemporary Living presents 20 new residential projects – houses and apartments – in the Middle East designed by renowned architects and interior designers. Packed full of inspiration and stunning photography, this coffee table book also includes a profile of each architect and designer, along with a presentation of each photographer specializing in the Middle East whose work is showcased.
Includes the work of Giacuzzo Design Studio – H+A Architects – Neeshay Nouman The Niche Corner – Tristan Du Plessis – HiProjects Melissa Charlier – Studio M Abboud Malak – VSHD – Leila Khalil – XO Atelier with Augustine Wong – ArchiSense – Leila Khalil, JMDA, NAQSH, Hana Hakim.
Archigram comprised Warren Chalk (1927-88), Peter Cook (1936-), Dennis Crompton (1935-), David Greene (1937-), Ron Herron (1930-94), and Michael Webb (1937-). Together they envisioned the future of architecture in ways that enthralled a generation. In an era defined by the space race, they developed a ‘high-tech’, lightweight, infra-structural approach that stretched far beyond known technologies or contemporary realities. They devised autonomous dwellings and focused on survival technology; they experimented with megastructures and modular construction systems; they explored mobility through the environment, and the use of portable living capsules: all through the medium of an incredible series of drawings and models. Archigram’s influence has been profound and enduring. They gave the high-tech movement its impetus; they inspired architects such as Renzo Piano and Norman Foster; and they laid the ground for the design of buildings such as the Pompidou Centre. Edited and designed by Archigram member Dennis Crompton, this book catalogues Archigram’s activities over fourteen years, together with commentaries by the architects and critics writing then and now.
Allah Baksh’s magnificent miniature paintings of Vyasa’s great epic, The Mahabharata, were commissioned by Udaipur’s Maharana Jai Singh, and painted between 1680 and 1698. The selection of nearly 2000 paintings, published in four volumes, are from a folio of more than 4000 extant works illuminating the Mahabharata. The fifth volume of 500 paintings devoted to the Gita, has already been published.
These radiant miniatures, which follow almost every story in every chapter of the Mahabharata, have no precedent in India’s art tradition. The emphasis in these paintings is not on heroic posturing and spiritual pride, but on the pain that the earth and its creatures endure when human beings tragically fail to fulfill their dharma. The images in the paintings are symbolically charged, their colors are clear and luminous, their lines are restrained and precise. Allah Baksh’s art of visionary thoughtfulness deserves an honored place in the great library of Indian scriptures and their visual interpretations.
Introductions to the parvas illuminated in these four volumes offer reflections on the moral resonance of the stories, as they reveal the fate of a civilization from its divine beginning to its fateful destruction. The Hindi translation of the Mewari text in the colophons, describing the story being illustrated, furthers our understanding of the history of cultural exchange between the different religions, regions and languages of India. Comments on the paintings in English enable the reader to decode the images and follow the narrative grandeur of this great Indian epic.
The Art of Endurance is a coffee table book about the 2024 season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), which is one of the most exciting competitions in motorsport. This book is based on the very rich production of images that will be developed and embellished over the eight races that are held around the globe on internationally renowned circuits, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The main goal is to capture the “spirit” that characterizes these endurance races. This beautiful publication will be a perfect promotional tool for the championship, whose considerable drawing power is due to the number of competitors and manufacturers who are taking part.
They are pioneers in their field, true geniuses, courageous inventors, celebrated stars, fallen heroes, brave fighters, impoverished thinkers, extraordinary sports stars, and exceptional musical talents.
And they all have one thing in common: they died far too young, often in spectacular ways. 365 anniversaries of death, 365 exciting short biographies.
The inspiring perpetual daily calendar is illustrated by artists from all over the world. A must-have for anyone looking for a daily dose of motivation.
In a world where creativity knows no bounds, The Feminine Touch: 33 Interior Designers Defining Tomorrow celebrates the artistry and vision of the globe’s leading female designers. This collection isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s about the transformative power of spaces meticulously crafted to resonate with the soul.
Each page of this book showcases the brilliance of women who have not only mastered the craft of interior design but have also redefined it. Their work transcends traditional boundaries, blending innovation with a deep understanding of how our surroundings shape our lives. These designers bring a unique perspective that is both intimate and expansive, offering a glimpse into the future of residential spaces.
Within these pages, you will explore the favorite recent residential projects of these talented ladies. These homes are more than just structures; they are sanctuaries of style, comfort, and functionality. Each project tells a story of bold choices, intricate details, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As you immerse yourself in the visual and narrative journey, you will be inspired by the diverse approaches and the common thread of passion that unites these extraordinary designers. The Feminine Touch is a tribute to their creativity and a celebration of the feminine essence that continues to shape the world of interior design.
Let this book be a source of inspiration, a touchstone for innovation, and a tribute to the remarkable women who are defining tomorrow, one room at a time.
Globalization has forced us to stop thinking that art only exists in the West. The very notion of art was invented by the West and refers to the learned version of its material culture. It was then projected onto other civilizations, particularly Asian ones, and finally onto the preliterate societies of Africa and Oceania.
Whether or not these cultures possess the concept of art is of little importance, because when they honor their gods, they inevitably address what they consider to be the acme of beauty. For a long time, this openness to other aesthetics was based on the arts of the past, until it was finally accepted that there were living creators in these distant lands, and that today’s means of communication have brought them closer to us.
These “others” who appeared in the 1980s are by no means a homogenous group. Without stretching this analysis too far, they can be regarded as falling into two categories: those who have opted for modernity and submit to the demands of the market and Western based institutions, and those who concentrate on giving visual expression to their communities and beliefs, ignoring the demands of the art market. Australian Aboriginal art represents an intermediate situation, since alongside art of a sacred nature, there are works deliberately produced for sale, initially encouraged by missionaries.
Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods aims to show the variety of works connected with the spiritual impulse, from those used in religious rites to contemporary artworks that refer to them. These hybrid works are often the result of accommodations with modernity. The exhibition and accompanying book bring together altars from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia, works by artists invested with religious responsibilities (Didi, Shiraga), works by religious artists (Ramoun) and others by artists who refer explicitly to religions and spirituality (Sooja Kim, El Anatsui, Vasquez de la Horra, Bedia, Boltanski, Viola).
Text in English and French.
In more than 150 varied recipes, master baker Stefan Elias guides both beginners and experienced bakers to a feast of delicious pastries, breads, cakes, pies, etc. With quiches and pizza tartlets, among others, the salty kitchen is also part of the mix. Thanks to the vegan recipes, everyone at the table can join in.
Historian Greet Draye (Centre for Agrarian History) brings the entire baker’s culture to life through the recipes with all sorts of anecdotal stories.
Sasha Gusov (b.1960) is a Russia-born, UK-based photographer, fascinated by the morals, customs, and manners of people across the world. Alongside his commercial work for influential clients including Vogue, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s, Gusov is an avid street photographer, and his keen eye finds the differences, commonalities, comedy, and gravity in people and places.
Collecting the World presents his photographs taken over twenty-five years in a picture selection curated by editor Amanda Renshaw. An essay by academic and photographer Peter Hamilton sheds light on Gusov’s life as a photographer in Russia and London and his unique visual language.
In Collecting the World Gusov juxtaposes toreadors outside a bullring in Spain with synchronized swimmers in Belarus; a sumo wrestler riding a bicycle with a pilot sitting with his bike in front of an aircraft; and Jude Law in jeans and a ballerina from the Bolshoi Ballet in costume puffing on cigarettes. His message is clear: people are people all over the world.
The Japanese tea ceremony is usually identified with chanoyu and its bowls of whipped, powdered green tea served in surroundings influenced by the aesthetics of Zen Buddhism. Tea of the Sages introduces the philosophy and material culture of an alternate Japanese tea ceremony featuring sencha (steeped green leaf tea). Sencha initially gained popularity among Japan’s Sinophile intellectuals, who learned of it from immigrant seventeenth-century Chinese scholar-monks of the Ōbaku Zen school. They championed the beverage as an elixir consumed by ancient Chinese sages. Sencha inspired painters and poets, and fostered major advances within craft industries, especially ceramics, metalwork, and bamboo basketry. Its popularity as an everyday drink remains strong and has spread widely outside Japan. The sencha tea ceremony survives as well, with more than a hundred schools still in existence today.
Tuscan cooking lives in the region’s homes and gardens, its small shops and market stalls. With From the Markets of Tuscany, at once a collection of traditional, seasonal recipes and a guide to the area’s top food markets, Giulia takes readers on a journey through her beloved Tuscany, exploring famous places but also more remote areas – from Florence’s urban streets and enchanting Volterra to mountainous Garfagnana and the wilds of Lunigiana, the gentle rolling hills of Val d’Orcia, and the vineyards and olive groves of Chianti. Through photographs, words and recipes, Giulia tells the story of Florence’s historic markets, local organic farmers’ markets, and the weekly market days held in Tuscan towns and villages. She also explores Tuscany’s coastal fish and seafood markets, together with the roadside vendors of the Maremma area, with their vibrant fresh fruit and vegetable stands. With each encounter, Giulia delves into the stories of Tuscany’s food markets, drawing on memories and recipes that taste of home.
Over 200 years ago, the Mauritshuis hosted not one, but two museums. On the upper floor was the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, while on the ground floor, thousands of objects of all kinds were on display in the Royal Cabinet of Rarities. This rarities cabinet closed in 1875 and the objects were distributed to various Dutch institutions. The temporary exhibition The Vanished Museum about this Royal Cabinet of Rarities is accompanied by a publication with essays by 30 experts, including curators of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. In relatively short texts, the reader is taken through the rich and often complex history of the institution. The diverse topics and perspectives suit the motley nature of the collection. From a text about an unusual ivory Chinese puzzle ball, to a reflection on the formation of cultural stereotypes; from a kayak on the ceiling, to a hat that turns out not to belong to Willem van Oranje after all.
How do you portray sin, evil and foolishness in humans? Religious and political tensions and even the weather – we are talking about the depths of the Little Ice Age – contributed to a boom in representations of the Seven Deadly Sins in the Low Countries and immediate surroundings in the long sixteenth century. In this publication, four accessibly written essays highlight different sides of the pictorial tradition of the Seven Deadly Sins, with the renowned print series of the same name designed by Pieter Bruegel the Elder at its center. A fifth, literary essay describes the feverish visions of one of the victims of a true 16th-century series of murders permeated by the deadly sins.
The Herbal Sutra: Indian Wisdom and Wellness through 100 Herbs is a journey into the heart of India’s herbal legacy. A stunningly illustrated compendium of 100 of India’s most illustrious herbs, the book documents their ancient wisdom, versatile applications and remarkable benefits. From haldi (turmeric) – a powerful antiseptic that is widely used for beauty rituals and for its anti-inflammatory goodness to jamun (Indian blackberry), a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, and the kokum (butter tree) prized for its sweet and tangy taste, a reliable savior from the summer heat, these herbs form India’s rich heritage, offering a wealth of benefits. Harnessing the power of these herbs accompanied by illustrations that are inspired by India’s hand block printing tradition, this beautiful book sheds light on how to live better, eat better and make holistic choices using these sacred herbs that have been a part of our generational wisdom.
This Boston guide is the newest addition to the internationally successful series The 500 Hidden Secrets. Like the other city guides in the series, it contains 500 places to visit or things to know. All of them are addresses or activities the author, savvy Boston local Natalia Ivanytsky, would recommend to friends visiting her hometown. A new feature are the two city walks included in the book, leading past a selection of the 500 secrets: a great way for first-time visitors to get to know the city.
This bulky selection of Boston tips is based only on the author’s personal opinions after thorough research: Natalia wandered through the many Boston streets and neighborhoods accompanied by her dog, looking for the best places to eat, drink, shop, visit, dive into the cultural scene, … She drank and ate her way through the best brunch spots, cocktail bars, and restaurants with family and friends, looking for the five best on-the-go sandwiches, the five tastiest street food trucks, the nicest shops for New England-inspired home décor or five urban oasis garden escapes. She also tells you which unofficial stops along the Freedom Trail are worthwhile, or where to find cool outdoor art installations. Her aim is to showcase Boston’s strong culture beyond sports and history, and to help you discover new, unexplored places.
In this brand new and thoroughly revised edition of the bestselling London city guide author Tom Greig not only shares a lot of new secrets, he also included two outside-the-box city walks: an ideal way to explore a part of the city in a day. Many of the new addresses in this guide are in East-London, an area Tom has explored more intensely since the first publication of The 500 Hidden Secrets of London in 2017.
Of course the best hidden secrets in the rest of the city are still included as well, such as the bakery on Brick Lane that’s open 24-hours and that’s famous for its salt-beef bagels; the only modernist house open to the public; the historic church where you can hear avant-garde electronic music; or the art deco car park that hosts art installations and fashion shows. The book contains 500 places and details that few people know, making it the perfect guide for visitors who want to avoid the usual tourist spots and for residents who are keen to track down the city’s best-kept secrets.
Addressing one of the urgent issues of climate crisis and environmental pollution, this book explores our relationship to the sea: how we live alongside it, our bodily relationship to it, its role in the creation of a connected, global society and, perhaps most critically, the threat we pose to it.
Through a broad selection of works by contemporary international artists, Can the Sea Survive Us? responds to the urgent need to resuscitate our seas. While the oceanic environment is essential to all life, its vulnerability to human action is highlighted by an ever-increasing loss of biodiversity. This book prompts the reader to imagine a future in which collective human behavior can mitigate the effects of climate change. As ocean temperatures reach record highs, it is clear that time is not on our side. This ambitious project aspires to accelerate climate awareness and deliver the critical climate action we urgently need.