Fully revised and updated for its sixth edition, this benchmark book chronicles the changing face of Sherry – its viticultural methods, the complex production techniques, the growth of the wine’s trade and the region itself – taking us from the area’s early Phoenician settlers right up to the present day. Detailed sections on cultivation and production include information on both traditional and the now more commonly used modern methods of viticulture. Manzanilla, the ‘wine of joy’, receives an entire chapter to itself, before Jeffs brings the information on blending and tasting Sherry up to date. Sherry provides extensive details for all the shippers, updated for 2019, from the traditional family firms to the new boutique bodegas, along with thorough appendices for those who wish to delve into the fine details. This classic wine book unravels the timeless appeal of one of Spain’s greatest wines, making it an essential resource for anybody with an interest or involvement in the world of Sherry.
It wasn’t until the late 1950s that red wines became the foremost category in Bordeaux. While reds still dominate, since the 1990s there has been a revival of interest in the region’s whites. In The White Wines of Bordeaux, Mary Gorman-McAdams explores in depth all of the non-red wines of Bordeaux, examining the history and evolution of these less well-known wine styles. The permitted varieties are covered in depth and each appellation is explained in terms of its terroir, styles and significant wines. Key producers, and their vine growing and winemaking approaches, are profiled for each appellation. The challenges and catalysts for change, from shifts in wine buyer demographics to environmental issues, are analysed. The book concludes with a chapter on vintage white Bordeaux.
Richard Mayson’s award-winning Port and the Douro, first published in 1999, has become a classic over the last 25 years. In this comprehensively updated fifth edition he reminds us why Port is a drink that continues to fascinate wine-lovers and win new fans. The last 50 years, since the end of the dictatorship in 1974, have seen vast transformations in the Port world, from labour-saving technology in field and cellar, to advances in sales reach, especially since Portugal’s formal entry into the EU in 1986, and ongoing changes in the way the industry is managed and regulated. To begin with, Mayson provides a history of Port, from the beginnings of viticulture in Roman times to the present day. The vineyards and their vines as well as the quintas where they are cultivated are thoroughly explored, followed by an explanation of Port production, both traditional and modern. A short introduction to Port types prepares the reader for a detailed assessment of vintages from 1960–2023; notable vintages (both exceptional and poor) dating back as far as 1844 are also included. The structure of the Port trade remains in flux, and so the chapter on the shippers reflects recent changes in fortune and ownership. Douro wine, which pre-dates its fortified cousin and has seen its revival accelerate over the last 20 years, receives an entire chapter to itself. Finally, for those wishing to visit the region, there are some ideas on what to do and where to stay. Peppered throughout with anecdotes, potted biographies of those who shaped the industry and insights into quirks of the trade, this extensive and engaging guide to Port is an essential book for any wine enthusiast’s library.
Georgia has for the last 25 years been resurrecting its unique winemaking tradition and rediscovering the distinctiveness of its native varieties. A handful of producers in 1997 has now exploded to more than 1,300. Wine is arguably more important to Georgia than to any other country and its people firmly believe their country to be the birthplace of wine. Yet Georgian wines are still largely unknown in the West.
Lisa Granik, who began visiting Georgia 30 years ago, starts The Wines of Georgia with a brisk tour through the history of the country and analysis of its complex geology, before moving on to consider Georgian wine culture. She explains not only winemaking methods and viticulture but also the centrality of wine to Georgian culture. Georgia can claim more than 400 native Vitis vinifera varieties; here Granik profiles the most commonly planted grapes, as well as the many ‘lost’ varieties being revived. The second half of the book details each of the major regions. Of Georgia’s 20 PDOs, 15 are in the east, in Kakheti. With a history of wine education dating back 900 years, this prolific winemaking region is home to the qvevri, the conical clay vessel that for many represents Georgian winemaking. Stretching west, the regions become more sparsely populated; some places are still pioneer wine territory, with more amateur and self-taught winemakers. Granik provides details on the most significant producers, along with tips on sites of interest and places to eat and stay, for those visiting the country. This definitive book on Georgian wine is an essential text for anybody studying or making wine today.
Although rightly famed for the wines of Rioja, the north of Spain has even more to offer the wine adventurer. Criss-crossed by rivers, its landscape ranges from the dramatic Pyrenees in the north-east to the low inlets of the Atlantic coast in the west. Growers – and consumers – can enjoy a diversity of terroirs and an exciting array of native varieties.
This introduction to the wines of northern Spain explores the changes, starting in the west, where the wineries of Galicia – from Rías Baixas to Valdeorras – have multiplied, while Bierzo is building a reputation for aromatic, refreshing reds, and Castilla y León is home to a growing number of individual, top quality producers. Travelling east, the success of Ribera del Duero has attracted investors from outside the region, all eager to gain a share of the limelight, while Aragón is busy building an international reputation for its venerable bush vine Garnachas. Across the country, a new generation is joining established producers in a remarkable blossoming of fine wines. Extensive producer profiles and established and well-known estates mingle on the page with newer makers and small producers to provide a thoroughly up-to-date and indispensable reference. For all wine enthusiasts keen to explore this region – whether in person or from a favourite armchair – The Wines of Northern Spain is essential reading.
“I fully intend to lean heavily on my copy of Blanning’s guide in planning my next trip to the region, not least as she helpfully includes places to stay and eat too. The mix of the practical and educational with a real sense of love for the region is a gift that will keep giving for many years to come.” — Club Enologique
“… it’s an essential buy for any enthusiast, budding or committed.” — Decanter
“Clear, structured and full of practical insight, this book serves as both a primer and a companion for anyone keen to understand one of France’s most varied and rewarding wine regions. It is well worth buying for the way it brings coherence, context and character to a place that repays curiosity.”— Forbes
Wines of the Loire Valley provides an up-to-date guide to the wines of this historic region. The hallmark of Loire wines is their balance between succulent fruit and refreshing acidity but the Loire Valley encompasses a vast array of wines, not only the well-known and trusted names but many more little known, overlooked and undervalued. The complex patchwork of vineyards that extends more than 500 kilometres along France’s longest river is a haven of discovery for wine lovers. The Loire’s winemakers are at the forefront of the move towards a more natural approach to winegrowing, making it a preferred choice for anyone looking for organic, biodynamic and ‘natural’ wines. While higher-profile regions are struggling with rising temperatures and excessive alcohol levels, the cooler vineyards of the Loire are benefiting from warmer vintages. The first part of the book covers the Loire Valley’s history and presents an overview of the region, the grape varieties used, the wine styles produced, and the viticulture and vinification of the Loire Valley. The second part profiles the main regions and the individuals shaping the vinous landscape of the Loire Valley today, from Muscadet on the Atlantic coast, through Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre in Centre Loire, to Côtes d’Auvergne in the Upper Loire. A final chapter gives an overview of Loire vintages.
Wines from Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape have made the Rhône Valley world famous. This may be a classic wine region, but as Matt Walls reveals in Wines of the Rhône that doesn’t mean it is set in its ways. Change here is not only driven by innovations in winemaking and fashions in wine, it is also an essential response to a rapidly shifting climate, which has seen temperatures rise significantly over the last 40 years and extreme weather events become more commonplace. Walls provides a rounded picture of this large and complex region, which varies greatly along the 200-kilometre stretch of river, from Vienne in the north to Provence in the south. Beginning with a vivid journey through the terrain, he explores one of the region’s constants, its varied geology, before moving on to the pressing issue of climate. A short tour through the Rhône’s winemaking history, from early Greek settlers to the modern industry, is followed by vignettes of all the AOC-permitted grapes and an explanation of the five levels of the region’s appellation system. Walls encourages readers to venture beyond the famous crus, making it easy for those eager to explore by detailing the terroir of every appellation and describing and assessing typical wines. Profiles of 200 key producers complete the picture. Boxes throughout the text provide interesting asides on current issues as well as key appellation facts, while an appendix on ageing wines offers a guide to the last 40 vintages. This comprehensive examination of a renowned region is an ideal introduction for those new to the Rhône, while providing fresh insights for long-time admirers of the wines.
The Côte d’Or may be small in size but its influence is huge and its reputation alone can intimidate even the most seasoned wine professional. Divided into two halves, the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune, it is little more than a 30-mile stretch of vineyard but some of the world’s best-known – and most expensive – wines are produced here. Of all the world’s wine regions it is here that terroir pushes itself to the fore, explaining the eye-watering prices paid for even the most modest parcels of vineyard.
Raymond Blake’s companionable Côte d’Or demystifies this notoriously complicated region, explaining succinctly the history of winemaking in this part of Burgundy, the complexity of the subdivided vineyards and the special role played by geology and climate in the creation of these wines. Visiting a selection of notable producers, Blake provides his take on each, along with a suggestion of that winemaker’s most distinctive or interesting wine for readers to try. After a rundown of the characteristics of each vintage from the last 30 years, and notes on some outstanding earlier vintages, Blake considers what the future might hold for the côte, including the challenges posed by premature oxidation, extreme weather and world events. He ends the book by providing some ideas to help those planning a trip to the region get the most out of their visit.
This fresh take on one of the world’s most influential wine regions is an essential addition to the library of any burgundy enthusiast.
César (1921-1998), an emblematic sculptor considered provocative by the critics of his day, achieved fame during his lifetime and stands as a major figure of the New Realist movement, alongside Yves Klein, Arman and Niki de Saint Phalle. The creator of a wide-ranging body of work, he is known for his human imprints (one of his Pouce sculptures stands in the Tuileries Gardens) and for his Compressions, the most famous of which is the César trophy awarded at the French film awards. He represented France at the Venice Biennale in 1994, a mark of his international recognition. Twenty years after his death, the Centre Pompidou staged a retrospective, gathering together more than a hundred of his works from collections around the world. This book is a reissue, expanded with 150 new catalogue entries, of an edition conceived in close collaboration with the artist in 1994; together with the author, he carefully defined, among other things, the layout, titles and dating of the works. Faithful to César’s own wishes, this new edition is the first volume of a trilogy of catalogues raisonnés, the essential reference for understanding his work. This first volume traces the early years of his career – his bestiaries and his work in iron – through to his first Compressions in the 1960s, richly illustrated with portraits of the artist and excerpts from interviews that bring readers close to his creative process.
Text in English and French.
Sneakers: The Classics is a beautifully illustrated anthology of the must-have sneaker models. In these pages, fashion, sport, culture, and history are finely stitched together. Every entry features gorgeous photographic spreads, in-depth historical context, technical sheets and aesthetic mood boards, reflecting the cultural and stylistic relevance of each shoe, including classics like the 1969 Adidas Superstars, New Balance 990s from 1982, the gorgeous 2017 Off White Air Force 1s and many more.
First created as sports shoes, sneakers have accompanied many of history’s greatest sporting triumphs. In tennis, basketball and skateboarding, from the Olympic Games to the concrete arenas inhabited by budding athletes throughout the world’s urban spaces, sneakers have helped make the impossible a reality. For young activists in the post-war era, sneakers became emblematic of youthful independence, and their bold patterns continue to represent individuality and freedom.
Written by Maria Luisa Miraldi, Director of the Tribeca Design Studio, this is a vital body of work for sneakers fans, collectors, designers and dreamers.
“When a new tome by David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti arrives for me to review, I don’t wait. I immediately open it and am completely drawn in by the breadth and depth of their knowledge and the awe-inspiring jewelry featured within their works. Such is the case with their new book …” — NouvelleBox
“… The book is intellectually rich yet warm in its tone, and visually sumptuous, offering a definitive perspective on the Classical, Romantic, and early modern aesthetics that shaped the era. ” — The Jewellery Editor
“… these pages promise to inspire knowledgeable collectors while taking their expertise to the next level.” — Gem and Jewel
“Nineteenth-century jewelry buffs can learn all they ever wanted about the crafts, themes, makers and clients central to the period.” — Wall Street Journal
From the authors of Understanding Jewellery, considered to be one of the most important and frequently referenced books on jewellery ever produced, Age of Grandeur focuses solely on the 19th century, bringing with it over 250 new colour photographs of jewellery from this most celebrated era.
Taking the reader through the history of jewellery over the decades, we learn how and why particular styles came about and then changed. From Napoleonic classicism and Victorian sentimental and memorial jewellery, through the Romantic era and its penchant for naturalism, the Gothic style and recreation of the Renaissance and, finally, the unique designs of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods, this comprehensive study enlightens and fascinates. With stunning photographs accompanying us on our journey through the decades, creating a rich visual history that brings the text to life, this book remains the essential bible on 19th-century jewellery.
“… will satisfy every lover of this famous wine region.” — Bloomberg
“The publishers have hit upon a winning formula, with Susan Keevil compiling an informative, eclectic, but always enjoyable, collection of beautifully written pieces from some 30 contributors.” — The Sun
“The accumulated effect is thoughtful and intriguing, inspiring readers to open up a Chianti Classico or Brunello and take a trip to Tuscany via wine glasses.” — NY Times
“…this enjoyable book compiles articles about the evolution of Tuscan vineyards, with entertaining portraits of innovative winemakers and insightful commentary about the region and the wines by a who’s-who of regional experts, including Burton Anderson, Gerald Asher, Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson and Ruth Rogers. “ — Toronto Globe
From the melée and muddle of Italy’s vinous past, Tuscany emerged triumphant. The world’s restaurants began to clamour for its Chianti and the Super Tuscan rebel-wines that captured the hearts, palates and pockets of any wine lover who sipped them. It found fame and fortune but had it gone too far…? On Tuscany’s authors unravel the truths of this enchanted vineyard – its tortured landscape of clashing mountains and upended seas, its mysterious Etruscan forebears, the Medici aristocrats and warring tribes who fought to control it. And the stoic peasants, whose thwarted creativity and intuitive ways with wine won through in the end. It tells the story of its king of grapes, Sangiovese, and the courtiers that grapple for its throne, and of the maverick winemakers who harness this region’s passion for wine today, steadying the roller coaster before it once again goes too far and too fast…
With contributions from Andrew Jefford, Hugh Johnson, Nicolas Belfrage MW, Jancis Robinson MW, David Gleave MW, Walter Speller, Gabriele Gorelli MW, Burton Anderson, Ruth Rogers, Neil Beckett, Victoria Moore, Gerald Asher, D H Lawrence, Fiona Morrison MW.
“Organisers say it is an unprecedented way to organise an exhibition: while some works and themes remain constant in each city, others change and each museum tells its own story. Perfect, then, for a movement that always aimed to subvert traditional artistic norms.” — The Guardian
“… This blend of scholarly insight and artistic exploration makes the catalogue not only visually stunning but intellectually enriching.” — Artlyst
The defining book for the centenary of Surrealism.
From September 2024 to January 2025, the Centre Pompidou will celebrate the 100th anniversary of André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto. For the next two years, their unprecedented Surrealist exhibition will tour the art galleries of the world, accompanied by this special catalogue.
Perhaps more than any other artistic movement, Surrealism had a cataclysmic effect on the modern mind, changing forever the way we think about experiencing the world. By rejecting the gross linearity that typified several centuries of preceding artworks, the legendary Surrealists – Magritte, Ernst, Carrington, Dalí, Tanning and so many others – reached beyond the façade of that which is patently visible and found something more.
Like the great works that fill its pages, Surrealism offers a departure from singletrack thinking, with a multi-directional layout and an uninhibited design. Featuring original essays from leading academics and excerpts from the Surrealist Manifesto itself, this stands among the most essential Surrealist catalogues ever published.
The very first retrospective book showcasing the renowned high jewellery Maison Chaumet features a collection of iconic editorials and campaigns captured by major photographers such as Guy Bourdin, Peter Lindberg, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Richard Burbridge, and Paolo Roversi. Additionally, it presents previously unreleased autochromes from the early 20th century, offering a captivating glimpse into the Maison’s historical archives.
A photographic reference title authored by Carol Woolton, a leading authority on high jewellery at British Vogue, Sylvie Lécallier, director of the photographic collection at Palais Galliera Musée de la Mode in Paris, and Flora Triebel, a curator specialist in 19th-century photography at Bibliothèque Nationale de France, delves into the close ties Chaumet has woven with photography since its inception, revealing its innovative collaborations over the years. From the 1930s to the present day, the book offers a portrait of high jewellery and women, making it an essential read for photography and high jewellery enthusiasts worldwide.
The first book devoted to the enigmatic and thought-provoking drawings and watercolours of Carmen Cicero — in a handsome oversize format.
Carmen Cicero (b. 1926) is now in the midst of his seventh decade at the cutting edge of contemporary art. His works of the 1950s — collected by the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and other major museums — combined the gestures of Abstract Expressionism with the complex emergent forms of Surrealist automatism. In the 1960s, Cicero was one of the first members of the American avant-garde to return to figuration, pursuing, through the 1960s and 1970s, a style he called “figurative expressionism.” This evolved into his more recent “visionary” mode, in which he depicts, with a startling clarity, mysterious scenes animated by multiple contradictory feelings — unfulfilled desires, jealousy, despair, and isolation — as well as a generous dose of humour. Throughout his entire artistic evolution, drawing and watercolour have remained central to Cicero’s practice, allowing him to body forth his fertile imaginings with a vivid immediacy. This oversize volume presents a generous selection of drawings and watercolours from every stage of Cicero’s career; it is printed on a quality uncoated stock that recalls the artist’s favoured Arches watercolour paper, and many of the drawings are reproduced at actual size. An essay by the noted critic David Ebony brings out the humour, pathos, and consummate skill of Cicero’s art, and a full apparatus — including an artist’s statement, chronology, and bibliography — further add to the value of this work, which will be an essential addition to any library of American art.
A landmark publication that invites New Yorkers to look up — and marvel at some of the city’s greatest unsung architectural treasures, its sheet-metal cornices.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the facades of many, if not most, residential and commercial buildings in America’s cities were crowned with sheet-metal cornices. These offered certain practical advantages over stone or brick cornices — for example, they were lighter and safer to install — but the easy workability of sheet metal also allowed for greater decorative possibilities. It was in the sheet-metal cornice, in fact, that the architectural eclecticism of the era found some of its most elaborate and impressive expression; in their complex play of geometric elements, of light and shadow, of multiple symmetries, the finest cornices can almost rival the ornament of a Gothic cathedral or a Moorish mosque. And of all the cities where these cornices were installed, New York may preserve the greatest number and variety — particularly in such Manhattan neighbourhoods as Chinatown, the Lower East Side, the East Village, and Harlem.
Henry C. Millman first became fascinated with New York’s sheet-metal cornices when, as a draftsman for a building preservation firm, he had the unusual opportunity to examine their remarkable workmanship close up, from scaffolding or a swing stage. Decades later, he surveyed nearly every building in Manhattan to select some one hundred examples that would showcase the artistry and variety of the sheet-metal cornice. He then orchestrated an ambitious drone photography campaign to document these cornices, and made a detailed elevation drawing of each one, to illustrate its scale, structure, and graphic patterns with the utmost clarity. This volume presents the fruits of Millman’s multiyear project, organised by neighbourhood, along with his incisive text exploring the history, construction, and design of these sheet-metal marvels.
Ornamental Cornices is an essential volume for architects, builders, and curious urban wanderers alike — but it is also an eloquent plea for the preservation of Manhattan’s metal masterpieces, which even now are falling victim to time and elements.
A great player doesn’t necessarily make the best coach. So why should a hard-driving professional automatically be an effective manager?
As an executive, you juggle challenges on a daily basis. What deserves your attention, and what doesn’t? You want to delegate, but you find some tasks difficult to let go of. You see the differences between your employees, but you also want to treat everyone equally. And hiring new employees – how do you decide?
Servant-Leadership offers a clear and workable method to get started, taking inspiration from a surprising source: the natural, shared leadership within a wolf pack. No pedantic models, but usable guidelines that are tough on results but tender on people.
‘Roeland’s ‘Servant-Leadership’ masterfully blends practical advice with philosophy, offering leaders tangible ways to effect change. It’s rich in ‘learning moments’ – opportunities that challenge and grow us. This book is essential for those on the servant leadership path, keen on making a real difference. Highly recommended.’
– Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus former CEO of WD-40 Company, The Culture Coach and Founder of The Learning Moment
‘Servant-Leadership provides the kind of tangible, actionable roadmap for leadership that I wish I’d had when I started out as an entrepreneur. Its real-world examples show the value of leading with authenticity and what can happen when leaders consider the positive impact that compassionate leadership can have on their people.’
– Kristen Hadeed, Founder and CEO of Student Maid Speaker, and author of Permission To Screw Up
A humorous analysis of facadism in London – why it is happening and what it means – accompanied by a gallery of the most notorious examples guaranteed to induce laughter and horror in equal degree.
We build fountains — those vibrant symbols of life and physical embodiments of beauty — to mark and celebrate our favoured places. This act is an honour to all, and like listening to music, it is understood on an intuitive level. We also build fountains to commemorate life. Water is the basis for, and the symbol of, life. Many fountains are articulated to recognise some person, institution, or idea. Those particular recognitions are fused with water’s deeper symbolism to convey everlastingness to the identities being celebrated.
Fountain Safari places on the shelf a sharply focused, comprehensive, useful, entertaining, and hopefully lasting survey aimed to provide a panoramic portrait of the fountain class of artistic endeavour. The material attends especially to the aesthetics of water expression by examining numerous esteemed examples. In the process, a sketch is roughed out of the evolution of fountains over some two millennia and across several cultures. Ultimately, the work attempts to deepen the understanding and appreciation of water features by identifying and clarifying their most essential aesthetic qualities.
Fountain Safari is written for design professionals, architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, students of the arts or the built environment—and everyone else interested in the engaging, one-of-a-kind subject of fountains.
“The book serves as both an inspiration and an invitation for progress, underscoring the urgent need for social justice through inclusion” — D5 Mag
GREATNESS: Diverse Designers of Architecture is a compelling exploration of the contributions of diverse architects to the field of architecture. This book delves into the essence of various architectural typologies, including residential, institutional, and master planning, through the lens of designers from varied backgrounds. It highlights the historical evolution of these typologies and their impact on urban planning and architecture, reflecting a wide range of lifestyles, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds.
The book addresses the darker aspects of architectural history, such as housing injustice and redlining, while also celebrating the healing power of design in fostering community well-being and environmental sustainability. It emphasises the importance of community-centric approaches in residential design and the role of architecture in shaping equitable and sustainable environments.
Featuring global projects, the book showcases how architects and designers worldwide address unique challenges and opportunities, enriching our understanding of architecture’s role in shaping human lives. GREATNESS: Diverse Designers of Architecture is a call to action for architects and designers to create inclusive, sustainable, and responsive environments that foster community, dignity, and a sense of belonging for all.
Context and time largely determine the work of Berlin-based Swiss artist Dunja Herzog. With strong connections to Africa since childhood days, she has had repeated extensive stays in Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Africa over the past two decades. Naturally, Herzog’s art explores various cultural concepts. She constantly questions the concept of authorship and examines artistic attitudes from different perspectives. Equally important to her art is her fascination with materials and craftsmanship as well as a deep interest in social conditions and the streams of finance between Global North and South.
This first monograph on Dunja Herzog offers a survey of her work since 2004. It highlights the key role that the materials she uses for her sculpture play as carriers of history, and how essential collaborations are in her creative process. The essays and illustrations demonstrate the evolution of Herzog’s art over time and in various contexts, and reveal the possibilities for further development it bears.
Text in English and German.
With over 200,000 copies in print, the How Artists See series has introduced thousands of children to the timeless visions of some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Now all twelve books in this remarkable series are available in boxed sets of four and six volumes, making it easy for parents, grandparents and teachers alike to build a meaningful art library designed especially for young minds.
In How Artists See children learn about the world by looking at art and about art by looking at the world. Each volume presents sixteen diverse works of art devoted to a subject familiar to children through their own experience, organized into four subcategories for better comparison and contrast. Author Colleen Carroll engages readers with open-ended questions about the works, stimulating their thoughts, building their visual literacy and communication skills, and expanding their own artistic imaginations. For children curious to learn more about the artists featured, short biographies are provided at the end of each volume, along with suggestions for further reading and a list of museums where the artists works can be seen.
Handsomely packaged in sturdy slipcased sets, these classic books make ideal gifts for the home and essential resources for the classroom. As teaching tools they are especially versatile, being readily adaptable to grades K-6 and intersecting with disciplines as various as literature, history, science, and social studies through the many activities detailed in the series Teachers’ Guide (available separately). Whether poring over Matisse’s goldfish, Jacob Lawrence’s Olympic athletes, or Hiroshige’s moonlit cityscapes, readers of How Artists See will delight in discovering how the world can be transformed by great artists’ creativity—and their own.
Sculptures of Stones by Ronny Delrue depict female statues that are either made of bricks or covered with masonry-like patterns. They form a critical riposte to the heroic male statues of former leaders that are scattered around our cities. Furthermore, the forms also broaden our prior knowledge of the depiction of figures in the public sphere. Sculptures of Stones shows drawing to be a form of spontaneous expression. It offers an alternative to the all-pervasive means of instant communication that govern the world today, namely digital tools and social media systems. Delrue’s drawings are both action and representation. Unlike the electronic devices, a drawing redeems the option of an unmediated, direct action and reflection in and on the world. It re-positions the function of the artist as a free, sovereign subject, who touches the world and is ready to participate and influence history.
English, Dutch and French.
Chus Burés creates miracles. Each piece of jewelry that emerges from his workshop boasts a complex genesis, stemming from an intersection between his genius-level thought processes and his maverick lifestyle. From exploring the versatility of buttons, to accentuating the geometric planes of the human body (Infinity Lines, 1990), and using minerals to emulate and exaggerate human features (seen in the striking ‘Mae Nam’ Collection of 2000), Burés’ work is always perplexing, always stimulating, and always innovative. He refuses to be cowed by convention, and delights in challenging his clients and models. The bodily focus of his work makes every piece a startling, and often uncomfortable, insight into humanity.
Burés may be a maestro of metal – the gauzy chainmail-esque veils in his Crochet collection, 2000, attest to that. Yet he has mastered the emotional dimensions of his jewelry as well as its physical properties. The relationship between his pieces and the people who collect and cherish them is essential to his artistic praxis. In Chus Burés, Portraits & Jewellery (2016), this is realized through a series of intense portraits by Antoine d’Agata, Alberto García-Alix, and Andres Serrano. These pictures reveal a transgressive melding of jewel and subject: man becomes metal and metal becomes man. Watch ideas take on physical form, and immerse yourself in Burés’ world of wearable art.
Text in English, French, and Spanish.