The unique cultural landscape of southern Africa (Nambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa) is a highly dynamic and complex area where old traditions are confronted by explosive social and political upheavals. The resulting contradictions and conflicts stimulate a directions as well as ancient roots. The collection of highly varied essays by knowledgeable experts on Africa ranges from historical and political problems to questions of artistic production and of how to deal with culture and nature in the face of industrialisation and globalisation. Art is one of the major subjects, and the contemporary artistic activities, including photography. The publication presents a picture of a vigorously alive southern Africa, contradicting common western Cliches which regard the region as having no art and solely being riddled with problems of post-apartheid, crime and AIDS.
For more than 40 years, Cyril Christo – son of the artist duo Christo and Jeanne-Claude – his wife Marie, and their son Lysander have been traveling among the last indigenous peoples of our time and documenting their relationship with nature. On their visits to far-flung places such as New Guinea, Tibet, Africa, the Amazon River, and the vast expanse of the Arctic, they have witnessed many instances of the spiritual connection between humans and nature.
Lords of the Earth takes its readers on a journey to the world’s oldest continent, the birthplace of Homo sapiens. The three photographers have captured the endangered soul of Africa, threatened by humans and climate change, in a series of striking duotone images. In conjunction with a gripping essay and relevant quotations, the photographs give a fascinating account of Christo’s and Wilkinson’s experiences, encounters, and their belief in the beauty and significance of that ancient continent.
This book is a tribute not only to Africa’s indigenous peoples, but also to the majestic creatures that have lived together with them since time immemorial and that are now threatened with extinction more than ever before. It includes insights into local folklore, rituals, and stories of tribespeople that provide a decidedly African perspective alongside the Western one.
This book begins with ancient towns that epitomize the essence of Jiangnan culture, offering insights into the historical origins, cultural connotations, and distinctive values of 11 nationally recognized Chinese Historical and Cultural Towns in Shanghai. It presents 86 heritage sites and 232 landscape images, capturing the richness of Jiangnan culture across historical, cultural, and spatial dimensions. Supplemented with transportation guides and tour routes, the book invites readers to step into Shanghai’s Jiangnan ancient towns, listen to their bygone tales, and experience the charm of this city.
Text in English and Mandarin.
Follow The Coast guides you along the Atlantic coast, on the west side of the Iberian peninsula, from San-Sebastián, the capital of gastronomy, to Gibraltar, on the southern tip of Europe. This visual travel guide explores the Spanish and Portuguese coastlines, with countless charming beaches, rugged cliffs and hidden gems. The book is a photobook gathering high-end nature photography, but also a guide which can be your companion for a road trip or beach holiday. Last but not least, it tells the formidable story of our project where we run the entire European coastline with a collective of brave runners who run 100km a day.
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot is not just the oldest castle in the Netherlands. It is a magical place, surrounded by water and vegetation. The castle gardens feature lots of heritage varieties: vegetables, herbs, fruit, herbaceous plants and flowers (some of them edible). The produce from the gardens was for centuries used to prepare the exquisite meals at the castle. And the gardens still produce a rich harvest every year. Muiderslot is also part of the Amsterdam Defence Line, a World Heritage Site. The castle gardens are open daily, offering visitors the chance to enjoy this lush part of our heritage.
Tea was introduced to Britain in the 1650s. Its popularity burgeoned over the following two-and-a-half centuries, until it became a defining feature of British culture.
Drawing inspiration from China, British craftsmen worked to display their skills on numerous tea-related objects, which ritualised the process of drinking tea and imbued it with luxury status. Calling on an array of different materials and techniques, they developed a huge variety of canisters and lockable containers for storing and preserving this precious commodity.
Tea chests and caddies were not merely functional items that might lurk at the back of the kitchen – they were intended for display and were an essential accoutrement for fashionable women. As the habit of tea drinking filtered down the social scale, caddies were made in larger numbers and in more affordable forms.
This book brings together a great range of decorative antique tea containers, presenting them alongside detailed historical research conducted into their making and their place in British society across the centuries. It also explores the materials and techniques employed. With historical art showing tea’s integration into British society, examples of old trade cards and original designs, and a wealth of illustrations of the objects themselves, this is a must-buy book for historians, collectors and those interested in the decorative arts.
The Mughal Feast
is a delightful transcreation of the original handwritten Persian recipe book Nuskha-e-Shahjahani from the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s time. A culinary journey into the Mughal imperial kitchen, where food was cooked with just the right amount of spices to enhance the base flavours of the dishes, this book is divided into seven sections and includes a plethora of recipes, ranging from the familiar shami kabab and baqlawa to the more exotic amba pulao (tangy mango lamb rice) and indersa (sweet, deep-fried rice-flour balls). The book also provides helpful tips for cooking, including methods to clean fish and soften bones, throwing light on the creativity of the Mughal cooks.
An informative introduction offers an intriguing glimpse into the royal lifestyle of one of India’s greatest empires. This book effortlessly recaptures the nostalgia of Mughal times while remaining a practical guide for the modern reader.
The American Museum’s collection of more than 250 quilts, ranging from the 18th to mid-20th centuries, is acclaimed as the finest of its type in Europe and the equal of many premier collections in the United States. Examples include early whole-cloth quilts, pieced and appliquéd work, Hawaiian and Amish quilts, and the African-American quilts of Gee’s Bend. Over 50 quilts and their unique stories are included in this new publication. Each entry is beautifully illustrated with stunning photography that celebrates the skill and artistry of these textiles. The selection includes celebrated favorites and new Museum acquisitions that have never been published before. Accompanying the individual quilt entries is an introductory essay that tells the story of how this remarkable Museum was established and the world-class quilt collection was formed.
The Focus series is a celebration of an institution’s chosen area of strength, appealing to the visitor interested in that specific area as well as a wider audience seeking out collections of their favored genre.
Kim Buck is partial to using well-known jewelry motifs such as hearts, daisies, signet rings, and crosses as a point of departure, but the materials can be anything from precious metals to found objects and ready-mades. With surprising combinations, wordplay, and a touch of irony, he questions the conventions of the jewelry business as well as the way national and religious symbols are used and abused. Even Denmark’s national jewelry piece, the daisy brooch, is up for scrutiny. To a conceptual artist, raising questions and prompting reflection is of utmost importance. The questions raised by Kim Buck through his jewelry and objects touch upon values, ethics, and social status and reach far beyond the jewelry field itself, disrupting our cultural habits and understanding of the self.
“Splash hits! From a Beverly Hills hotel to a South American pool so big you can SAIL on it, 12 of the most jaw-dropping swimming pools in the world.” — Daily Mail
This book about the world’s best swimming pools is a visual exploration that showcases 200 of the most remarkable and innovative pools from around the globe. From rooftop pools situated on skyscrapers or upscale hotels, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline while providing a luxurious and serene environment, to natural pools that harmonize with their natural surroundings, including those formed by rock formations, spring-fed pools, or pools nestled in forested areas. Discover pools that are architectural feats, incorporating innovative shapes, materials, and design elements that push the boundaries of traditional pool design. Through captivating photographs and informative text, the book highlights the architectural brilliance, design concepts, and unique features of these pools. It offers readers an opportunity to appreciate the aesthetic beauty, functional aspects, and cultural significance of these aquatic spaces, while also serving as a source of inspiration for travel, design, and leisure. The book serves as a travel guide tailored specifically to those seeking remarkable pool experiences.
In the middle of Tivoli Gardens, beneath a canopy of lanterns and reflections from the lake, stands one of Copenhagen’s most iconic buildings — The Japanese Pagoda. Once a symbol of amusement and light, it has in recent years become a beacon of culinary excellence. Over the past five years, twenty-five Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs from all over the world have brought their artistry to The Pagoda — each for a shorter period, each re-imagining the space through their own vision of fine dining.
The Pagoda tells this story through text, photography, recipes, and behind-the-scenes insights, capturing how chefs transform architecture and atmosphere into edible experience. Alongside menu creation, craftsmanship, and the history of Tivoli’s gastronomy, the book unfolds a dialogue between past and present — between playful nostalgia and modern precision. A tribute to creativity, collaboration, and culinary ambition, The Pagoda celebrates the meeting of taste and tradition in the most magical corner of Copenhagen.
New York City has 700,000 street trees. These trees are asked to work harder than others, doing more with less. They provide shade, absorb stormwater, create microclimates, and dampen loud urban sounds. Like still lifes, they symbolize larger ideas and profound histories. The New York City Street Tree Tarot deck can be used like any other tarot deck. However, users are encouraged to interpret the cards in their own way as they read the accompanying texts and guide words. This allows them to develop new patterns and ways of interacting with the iconography.
What you eat before intimacy matters more than you think! The wrong foods can leave you bloated, sluggish, or self-conscious—but the right ones will make you feel light, energized, and irresistible. This book is packed with delicious, easy-to-make recipes designed to enhance your mood, boost circulation, and keep you feeling fresh. Say goodbye to heavy meals that slow you down and hello to dishes that keep you ready for romance. Dig in, stay light, and let the real fun begin.
In Let the Kids Play, Drago’s 36 Chambers series exalts the beauty and exuberance of youth as embodied by the renowned street artist, Pax Poloscia. The book is a reaction to the cynicism and monotony of the adult world and a celebration of youthful creativity.
This book focuses on six Ming and Qing dynasty garden masterpieces—Qiuxia Garden, Guyi Garden, Yu Garden, Zuibaichi Garden, Qushui Garden, and Kezhi Garden—presenting the wisdom of Jiangnan garden design, where “though man-made, it appears heaven-sent,” through 202 exquisite images and professional analyses. Approaching from a cultural heritage perspective, it details the distinctive features and legacy of each garden’s core heritage structures, uncovering the cultural codes embedded in pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, and ponds. Special attention is given to precious cultural relics such as stone inscriptions, plaques, and couplets found in these classical gardens. Combined with an exploration of construction techniques, the book reveals the Jiangnan literati spirit and everyday urban memories embodied within these garden spaces.
Text in English and Mandarin.
This stunning 2-volume set introduces the Geneva-based Fondation Gandur’s collection of classical antiquities gathered over the past 40 years by founder Jean Claude Gandur. These two volumes are complementary: The first volume investigates the subject of ancient religion by observing images of idols, goddesses, gods, and devotees, and through them related rituals and religious practices; while the second focuses on especially exquisite objects, luxurious trifles known since ancient times as deliciæ. These two volumes interact with each other, forming a whole that offers a sparkling view of Greek-Roman antiquity, from Italy to the Roman Orient of the Later Empire, through archaic Cyprus, classical Greece, and Hellenistic Egypt.
From rockers to ravers, The Illustrated Book of Songs is the book every music lover will want. In quick-witted style, Irish writer Colm Boyd navigates us through lists of classic songs for every occasion. Prepare yourself for fascinating facts, cool illustrations and withering commentary on songs presented in lists such as:
Songs about Getting Dumped
Songs about Prostitution
Songs about Environmental Matters
Songs about Being a Complete and Utter Asshole
Songs about Gender Identity
Alternative Christmas Songs
The Illustrated Book of Songs
features 70 lists, discussing hundreds of songs from different genres and artists – from Adele to Aretha, Jagger to Jarvis, Rufus to Rosalía. Many of the songs are well-known, others are a little more off-radar. Some have amazing musicality, some have lyrics – quite literally – worthy of a Nobel Prize. Some deal with death, others deal with zebras, one song deals with prostitute-frequenting chess players in Bangkok. You get the idea.
Each of the book’s lists is accompanied by a scannable Spotify code, allowing readers to use their smartphones to directly access the songs mentioned. So, time to get reading and get listening.
Check out the book’s website for more information: colmboyd.com/the-illustrated-book-of-songs.
This outstanding jewelry collection of the Cologne Museum of Applied Arts (MAKK) will be showcased for the first time in a dedicated exhibition. Featuring cross-epochal and cross-cultural themes, the exhibition successfully presents diverse approaches to the art of jewelry-making. The photographs of around 370 objects and the accompanying descriptions demonstrate just how multifaceted jewelry design is. The social, societal, emotional, and symbolic aspects of jewelry are also evaluated and discussed in an essay by Beatriz Chadour-Sampson. The MAKK’s jewelry collection of around 1600 works spans a period of 7000 years: from ancient oriental gems from the 5th millennium BC to contemporary jewelry. This is what makes this collection so unique and diverse.
Text in English and German.
“…a delectable tour of 46 clubs that span 300 years of architecture and design.” — Airmail
“… a lavishly illustrated and wittily written study of one of the capital’s most distinctive – and most secretive – institutions.” — House & Garden UK
“Jones treats them not really as clubs, but as examples of interior decoration, which he writes about interestingly and with an observant eye.” — Charles Saumarez Smith
“From the concealed bookcase door in the library of The Travellers Club in St James’s to the taxidermy fish and walls lined with rods in Mayfair’s Flyfishers’ Club, it serves as an unofficial guide to the city’s strangest and most elegant private dining and drinking venues.”— FT
“…wonderful book on the architecture and interiors of London’s private members’ spaces.”— The Rake
London has more members’ clubs than any other city. There are clubs for everyone: from actors, plutocrats, aristocrats and bishops to sailors, soldiers, fishermen and spies, as well as journalists, jockeys, architects and æsthetes.
Andrew Jones opens the door to 46 of the most beautiful, interesting and unusual of these clubs, presenting 300 years of architecture and design. The London Club features the oldest clubs in London as well as the most recent, with perfectly preserved interiors, original furniture and extraordinary
collections. From bohemian to bling, shabby to chic, classical and brutal, this is a celebration of variety and beauty, with newly commissioned photographs by Laura Hodgson.
“From the grandest to the simplest taking in the quirkiest en route, this book is an irresistible journey through London’s clubland.” – From the Foreword by Nina Campbell OBE
‘Festive and cosy Christmas living room decor ideas.’ — The Spruce
“There is no need to buy expensive ornaments or visit exclusive florists… Her guide focuses on using pinecones, dried branches, dried flowers and fewer, but quality, Christmas decorations — in a wonderful mix of old and new, inherited, eclectic, bought and homemade.” — HGTV
“Inspirational and poetic, this Nordic collection is sure to spark your imagination… “ — Aspire
The Christmas Season is an essential guide to Scandinavian-style Christmas perfection.
Taking the core tenets of Scandinavian design and applying them to the festive season, this book reimagines the midwinter holiday as a time for tasteful restraint and creature comforts.
Blending minimalism, clean lines and functionality with ‘hygge’, a uniquely Danish concept of cosiness, Scandi interiors are some of the most sought-after and recognizable in the world. This inspirational and poetic collection of Nordic designs is sure to spark your imagination. Combining traditional Scandinavian Christmas customs with clever DIY ideas and recipes for the whole family to enjoy, this book invites you to redesign Christmas within your own home.
Tomas De Bruyne is one of today’s leading floral event designers, known for architectural and conceptual floral spaces. An internationally celebrated artist, he creates breathtaking large-scale installations for events ranging from royal weddings to corporate celebrations. At a certain point in a designer’s journey, flowers become more than decoration – they become a language. Every petal, line, and colour turns into an intentional choice. This book is inspired by that transformation. As a floral scenographer, De Bruyne has spent decades shaping atmospheres across the world, discovering that beauty is a living structure defined by rhythm, hierarchy, and intelligence. When these align, design becomes an unforgettable experience. In this book, he shares not formulas, but a way of thinking. It goes beyond flowers, offering insight for designers who shape how people feel – event planners, floral designers, hoteliers, architects, and scenographers – inviting them to see design through the eyes of a floral architect.
Text in English and Dutch
Tomas De Bruyne is one of today’s leading floral event designers, known for architectural and conceptual floral spaces. An internationally celebrated artist, he creates breathtaking large-scale installations for events ranging from royal weddings to corporate celebrations. At a certain point in a designer’s journey, flowers become more than decoration – they become a language. Every petal, line, and color turns into an intentional choice. This book is inspired by that transformation. As a floral scenographer, De Bruyne has spent decades shaping atmospheres across the world, discovering that beauty is a living structure defined by rhythm, hierarchy, and intelligence. When these align, design becomes an unforgettable experience. In this book, he shares not formulas, but a way of thinking. It goes beyond flowers, offering insight for designers who shape how people feel – event planners, floral designers, hoteliers, architects, and scenographers – inviting them to see design through the eyes of a floral architect.
Text in English and Dutch
This is a book about the future. Not the bleak, dystopian kind that so many seem convinced we’re heading toward, but one that is built on hope, possibility, and progress.
Humanity faces complex global challenges, from technological and geopolitical shocks to social and ecological disruptions. Fear, hesitation, and avoidance won’t help us overcome them. Slowing down is not the answer. We must move faster, think bigger, and fully leverage technology to build a future worth striving for. We need active hope and bold leaders who can turn adversity into opportunity.
The Uncertainty Principle focuses on the key levers of transformation to help leaders rethink and reshape their companies: strategy, foresight, organizational design, culture, innovation, risk appetite, and the evolving nature of work. Above all, it serves as a guide for those who see cracks in the system not as warnings, but as windows—those daring enough to believe they can change the world, because they are the ones who will.
“As we zoom up the exponential curve of tech enabled change we all need an optimistic and inspiring guide. Peter Hinssen is that guide. In this new book Peter describes a “Never Normal” world helping us navigate “between the forces of pessimism and possibility”. — Dr Peter Weill, Chairman MIT Center for Information Systems Research (CISR)
“In an age when warnings dominate the conversation, The Uncertainty Principle stands out as a refreshingly optimistic guide. It demonstrates how business leaders can turn disruption into opportunity—not just for their own organizations, but for the world at large”. — Costas Markides, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School
“Uncertainty isn’t a threat—it’s the raw material for tomorrow’s opportunities. This book helps leaders imagine the impossible and install hope to change the future. A must-read!” — David De Cremer, Dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University
Caravaggio’s astonishingly naturalistic and provocative Cupid Victorious hung in the palace of a famous family at the heart of seventeenth-century Rome. Helen Langdon explores how the artist, famed for his originality, created a balance between a suggestion of his own world – a world of lively and rowdy street life – and a complex and ambiguous response to both ancient and Renaissance art and literature. Langdon also looks at the challenge the painting threw out to contemporary painters, whose world was characterized by extreme and bitter rivalries; often they reject his irony, sometimes embellish the painting’s sexuality, and at other times convey an opposing sense of the harmony of the arts.