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Strategy execution is complex. Three out of four organizations fail to implement their strategies, despite consultancies, literature on the subject and all available best practices. But why exactly do most strategies fail? Based on leading research, real stories, case studies and practical tools, the author takes you into the world of values, beliefs, emotions and often hidden underlying motivational forces that influence individual and collective behavior in organizations. He shows how consciously and effectively dealing with these human dynamics, often neglected in the strategic process, has a major influence on the performance of your organization and the successful realization of your strategy. If you are serious about making your strategy a success, have the urge to keep asking “why”, and have the courage to take a less conventional approach, this book will inspire you.

Over the past 15 years, Sabine de Milliano has driven through all the countries of Europe, covering a distance of over 150,000 km. As a photographer she is constantly in search of the most beautiful views and spectacular roads, interspersed with visits to cozy villages and lively cities. Sabine shares her favorite road trips in Europe and offers lots of inspiration to anyone who wants to make an unforgettable journey by car. With colorful photography, clear maps and plenty of tips for hikes and trips, she helps you design your own road trip through the old continent. From a surprisingly spectacular week in the Benelux to a month through the Balkans: after reading this book you will want nothing more than to pack your bags and get in the car!

The most comprehensive anthology of writings by visitors to the eternal city ever compiled – witty, profound and endlessly entertaining.
Drawing on French, Italian, Spanish, English, German, Scandinavian and American sources, Ronald Ridley has compiled a vivid collage-portrait of Rome through the centuries, illustrated with three hundred images and published in three elegant volumes: The Middles Ages to the Seventeenth Century, The Eighteenth Century and The Nineteenth Century. Presented here is the first volume.
How did visitors arrive? Where did they stay? What were their expenses? What did they see of churches, palaces, villas and antiquities? What did they like or dislike of what they saw? What did they think of Rome in all its contemporary facets? What events did they witness? What portraits do they provide of people in Rome at the time of their visit? Excerpts from memoirs by more than two hundred visitors give a myriad fascinating insights and together provide a detailed account of Rome over nearly a millennium.

This book accompanies a major exhibition in the Ashmolean Museum on the early work of internationally acclaimed German artist Anselm Kiefer. It focuses on his paintings, drawings, photographs and artist books created between 1969 and 1982, in the private collections of the Hall Art Foundation. Anselm Kiefer: Early Works is the first institutional show and publication in the UK dedicated to Kiefer’s early practice. The book introduces themes, subjects and styles that have become signature to Kiefer’s work, while providing a more intimate and complementary context for his large-scale installations that he is best known for today. The early works are accompanied by three recent paintings from the artist’s own collections and White Cube, chosen by the artist himself.

Art historians, artists, curators and experts of Kiefer’s art from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Britain and the US have contributed 46 original texts on individual works, organized in a chronological structure. An illustrated chronology at the end of the book compiled by Stephanie Biron from the Hall Art Foundation provides an overview of the artist’s early practice and life, to contextualize the works.

The book begins with Kiefer’s iconic Occupations and Heroische Sinnbilder series, created in 1969 and 1970, which Kiefer views as his first serious works. Kiefer was among the first generation of German post-war artists to directly confront the country’s troubled past and identity. Full of complex references to German socio-political history but also to culture, literature and his personal life, Kiefer’s early works carry a unique iconography, linking classic ideas of great art with a distinctive understanding of concrete artistic materiality. The landscapes in his watercolors are historically charged; hand-written words on paintings are closely linked with poetry well known to most German viewers; motifs and symbols point at Nazi ideologies and a collective feeling of guilt.

In the publication TSATSAS. past, present, future, Esther and Dimitrios Tsatsas present an exciting and informative glimpse into their artistic oeuvre to mark the 10th anniversary of their business. The designer couple have been developing high-end handcrafted leather bags and accessories since 2012, eschewing established parameters of design and interweaving and developing the traditional Offenbach am Main (Germany) bag-makers’ craft with their own cutting-edge design vernacular. The publication illustrates the varied work processes that go into creating their accessories, from the concept and the transformation of this traditional craft to their sources of inspiration in art, design, and architecture.

Text in English and German.

Between the second half of the 15th century and the 20th century, many painters added a fly to both their sacred and profane compositions. It was painted so convincingly that it seemed real. André Chastel, art historian, reconstructed in this book the history of the fly in painting, here reviewed and updated by Sylvia Ferino-Pagden. At least at the beginning, the fly was introduced as an odd masterpiece, an affirmation of the artist’s skill and convictions. A joke for illusionists, which however contains more complex meanings. The fly in painting then evolved. The insect, as we know it, is not well-loved and goes from simply being a nuisance to being the sign of death itself. And over time, la burla di Giotto, Giotto’s joke, generated a series of symbols where the artist wanted to represent the transience and precariousness of life, of earthly joys. The book chases the flies in picture after picture and recounts how the pictures are strewn with even minuscule signals, plots, and traps which, from time to time, take the form of a flower, an insect, a gem. It is a question of knowing how to interpret them to delve into a story that is also an adventure of the human spirit.

Text in English and Italian.

A forerunner of design, René Gabriel (1899-1950) established himself as a decorative artist in most of the salons and international exhibitions of the interwar period. The discovery of several thousand of his drawings, kept at the National School of Decorative Arts in Paris where he taught, allows us to fully understand the scope of the work of this singular creator who was interested in all everyday objects: furniture, wallpaper, fabric, crockery, rugs, but also architecture, illustration, scenography, advertising … Adept of wood, this fervent defender of furniture for all distinguished himself at the time of the Reconstruction by inventing many models for disaster victims and forging close links with industry. This commitment earned him wide recognition, crowned by the René-Gabriel Prize which will reward some of the greatest French designers, such as Marcel Gascoin, Pierre Guariche and Michel Boyer.

Text in French.

The 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a good reason to put the topic emphatically into the public focus. UNICEF Germany and GEO – with the support of the world’s best photographers and Edition Lammerhuber – do exactly that in this joint pro-bono project. In 40 photographic reports from 15 years, a selection of particularly striking pictures from the UNICEF Photo of the Year competition forms a fervent appeal to respect the rights of the child and to guarantee every girl and boy in the world a childhood in dignity. The volume is edited by Jürgen Heraeus, the Chairman of the German Committee of UNICEF, and Peter-Matthias Gaede, long-serving Editor-in-Chief of GEO. We the Children draws attention to the suffering and hardships, but also to the wishes and dreams of today’s children. We the Children is a book full of hope for a child-oriented world. Text in English and German.

Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was a visionary and obsessive artist who would not rest until he had captured human existence in its entirety, both in its beauty and in its inner conflicts and contradictions. 

Today, paintings such as Madonna, The Scream, and Vampire are known worldwide and shared online and on social media in the millions. Munch has become a part of popular culture. This book gives a concise, accessible and illuminating introduction to Munch’s life and art. It is generously illustrated, including a large selection of images from all stages of Munch’s career. 

Reality Check shows an overview of a decade of Dutch realism in painting, photography, video, sculpture, installations, drawings and graphics. On the basis of over 50 artists – young and old, established and recently graduated – Sito Rozema – curator at Museum MORE – outlines the latest developments in realism in the Netherlands. What is it in our time that prompts the contemporary artist increasingly opt for a figurative visual language to explore reality? The catalogue, the participating artists themselves have their say: what does realism mean to them?

Text in English and Dutch.

“The 230 beautifully rendered black & white images in the book provide a compelling tour of America’s wild places and national parks, from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Death Valley and Utah’s Canyonlands to the Hudson Valley in New York and beyond.” — Black & White Photography

“From towering redwoods in California to the remote canyons of Utah, his work shows us not just what these places look like, but what they feel like to those who dare to go.” About Photography

“Ortner’s use of black-and-white film and large-format cameras for Visions of Paradise unveils the true essence of the natural world. By peeling away color, he forces us to immerse ourselves more deeply and see anew America’s breathtaking sites through the purified language of light and shadow, form and texture, shape and pattern…”VIE Magazine

Visions of Paradise: American Wilderness is a singular, timeless publication—a photographic tour de force celebrating the extraordinary majesty and rich legacy of America’s wild places, as seen through the eyes of one of the country’s foremost wilderness photographers, Jon Ortner, and conveyed through the transcendent medium of black-and-white film. Ortner has always been fascinated with the natural world, particularly as an avid hiker in the American wilderness. This luxurious book collects in a large format his inspiring landscape images, forming a passionate tribute to the American wilderness. In this sensational portfolio of 200 black-and-white images, Ortner has rediscovered and reinterpreted the compelling beauty of many of his most cherished wilderness locations with remarkable portrayals of their sublime, dramatic, tranquil, and transcendent aspects. Join Ortner as he guides us through his visions of paradise.

Dutch Silver Camera winner Nico Koster photographed Karel Appel from close by over a period of 30 years, immortalizing his flamboyant life as an artist in Amsterdam, Paris, Tokyo and New York. These photo reportages have now been compiled to mark the centenary of Appel’s birth.

Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM) emerged from the liquidation of Successori Andrea Rioda in November 1931. The new factory placed a very personal accent on contemporary artistic glass production on Murano: while designs prior to the Second World War were generally still the responsibility of master glassblowers themselves, after the war designers and freelance artists increasingly determined production.

Giulio Radi began experimenting in 1940, obtaining the company’s signature chromatic effects by superimposing mould-blown layers of glass, often opaque and transparent in alternation, and inlaying them with gold and silver foil. This latest volume of Marc Heireman’s ongoing Murano manufactory books features over 800 design drawings, numerous archive images and new photos of AVEM masterpieces, making this anthology of the company’s history indispensable for all Murano glass lovers.

Utrecht, The Netherlands. 13 February 2034. A self-driving car is hacked and its safety features deactivated, causing a deadly accident. NATO, supervising global internet security, realizes the whole world is in danger when soon afterwards two more attacks occur. Europol inspector Lara Hartman and communications specialist Frank Willems are at the forefront of a desperate manhunt for the criminals behind these acts of cyber terrorism. Everything seems to be pointing to a dangerous computer virus. But time is running out, and they must find an antivirus that can prevent evil from striking again…

Our Colonial Inheritance explores the complex ways in which slavery and colonialism continue to shape the present, and examines the many entanglements of colonial knowledge systems and infrastructures with our everyday lives. This publication comes at a time when important conversations are happening about the role that the colonial past has played in shaping our society, and how we can engage with this past in the present. The use of the term “inheritance” in the title is a conscious choice, used to provoke what in our view is a different kind of relationship to the past. Throughout the publication, the authors interrogate what it means to inherit the (infra)structures of the colonial past, its categories, its relations and even its objects, and how we can deal with such bequests.

The essays and interviews in this book – published in conjunction with the exhibition Echo – explore the personal, universal and tactile memories of baby, child and motherhood, aging and nostalgia, handmaking and repair, and both the physical and emotional memories of clothing. The book features precious childhood drawings by designers Martin Margiela, Christian Lacroix, Mikio Sakabe, Bernhard Willhelm, Simone Rocha, Jean Paul Gaultier, amongst others. Alongside contemporary art and fashion, Echo sheds a unique light on the idea of the private, domestic, and quotidian by including ‘imperfect’ garments from the MoMu Collection: garments that reveal the presence of their previous wearers, that tell stories of a life lived, of scars, sweat, tears, and joy.

Bags: The Classic Collection is an unmissable celebration of the most iconic and influential handbags in history.

Featuring 30 of the world’s most desirable models, this supremely elegant volume takes you on a journey through luxury, fashion and design, exploring the aesthetic world of each featured bag through stunning photos and revealing design stories. Each of the featured handbags has transcended the functional and even the fashionable to become a bona fide status symbol in its own right. From the Hermès Kelly to the Fendi Baguette, the Chanel 2.55 to the Balenciaga Motorcycle bag, each is defined by a unique vision, and each has impacted the cultural landscape in its own special way.

Written by Lucia Savi of London’s Design Museum, this is a luxuriously illustrated guide to the historical contexts and aesthetic philosophies that make each of these handbags utterly timeless.

The bags: Chanel 2.55; Mulberry Alexa; Givenchy Antigona; Anya Hindmarch I’m NOT A Plastic Bag; Roberta di Camerino Bagonghi Bag; Fendi Baguette; Gucci Bamboo; Issey Miyake Bao Bao; Hermès Birkin; Chanel Boy; Bottega Veneta Cassette; Jacquemus Chiquito; Balenciaga City Bag; Alexander McQueen Knuckle Clutch; Gucci Dyonysus; Stella McCartney Falabella; Prada Galleria; Louis Vuitton Graffiti Keepall Bag; Gucci Jackie; Hermès Kelly; Dior Lady; Céline Luggage Bag; Lulu Guinness Florist’s Basket; Prada Nylon Vela Backpack; Chloé Paddington; Loewe Puzzle Bag; Dior Saddle; Louis Vuitton Speedy; Judith Leiber Handbags; Cupcake Bag; Launer Traviata

Some people still experience personal branding as a show of ego. Which it can be.

Most people see personal branding as a tool for business growth and wealth, which it is.

But there are more fulfilling reasons to engage in the process of personal branding like building intellectual legacy and becoming a brave new human. If you want to engage in building a legacy, but not want to be blindsided by aspects like fame and hunt for money, then this is the book on personal branding you need. It offers you the complete range of what it can mean to you, not only the social media aspect.

“With this book, ianka succeeds in describing personal branding on a strategic level. ianka’s broad professional background makes this book particularly strong and valuable. She has experienced nearly everything a personal brand can go through in her career. A look behind the scenes and the sharing of that experience adds immense value. I highly recommend this book to everyone!” — Steven Van Belleghem, entrepreneur and author

“In a world of information overload and AI, developing your own authentic voice is more important than ever. How do you build unique visibility in a world of the Never Normal? ianka has written a wonderful book that makes you reflect on your own journey, your own development, and how you can find and strengthen that unique voice.” — Peter Hinssen, entrepreneur and author

“ianka has not only dared to breathe new life into an existing concept, but she has also ventured to create a book tailored to each individual reader. I sincerely wish I had been able to read this book much earlier because it helps me as a person, but also because it helps me make companies and their leaders better.” — Rik Vera, business philosopher and author

According to Count Galeazzo Arconati, who gave other Leonardo manuscripts to the Ambrosiana Library in Milan, the drawings concerning nature, anatomy, and color, have been “in the hands of the King of England before 1640.” The collection has been recorded as being in the possession of Queen Mary II, in 1690, a year after she and her husband, William III, ascended the throne as joint monarchs. The collection comprises all the known anatomical drawings by Leonardo. Three hundred images of the human body by the great artist, made between about 1485 and 1510–15, are showcased in this magnificent volume. Based on the artist’s own anatomical dissections, they show his evolving understanding of physiology. The drawings demonstrate, as well, Leonardo’s progress from technical mastery of his subject to consummate draftsmanship.
The commentary on this astonishing body of work is by Professor Martin Kemp of Oxford University, a leading international authority of Leonardo da Vinci, who explains the uniqueness of the painter’s stroke and the refined figurative transposition. One of the most renowned Italian Anatomists, Professor Mario Rende of the University of Perugia, analyses the significance of these works from a medical-scientific angle, revealing the insights, the research methodology, and the experimental and analytical approach of the Genius of da Vinci. Moving between art and anatomy, between unsurpassed illustrative display and avant-garde Renaissance scientific research, the work thus provides an in-depth and comprehensive look at an indispensable aspect of the Great Master’s story.

Text in English and Italian.

‘Festive and cosy Christmas living room decor ideas.’ — The Spruce

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.

Devoted to building sites, JA110 explores both the location and process by which architectural ideas assume physical forms. The issue examines the progression of trial and error, investigation, and decision making within on-site development. Although the inner workings of a building disappear once it is completed, images during construction can reveal the thought process of the architects. This issue includes site photos and comments from 17 recent buildings as well as projects completed during the post war building boom between 1950 and 1980. Classic structures such as the Yoyogi National Gymnasium by Kenzo Tange are featured alongside new works such as the Collection Pinault Paris by Tadao Ando. Each project is depicted in an incomplete state and illustrates how architects respond to the construction process. Text in English and Japanese.

Taking the best projects in the last year from sister publications Shinkenchiku and Jutaku Tokushiu, JA112 is an architectural yearbook. As a recent works issue, it illustrates the architectural trends and movements of 2018. One goal of this issue is to show the designs responding to the changing social and environmental conditions. An overview containing 40 projects, it has been organized by the activities each building promotes. It highlights a variety of experiments in urban development, the workplace, and proposals for regional hubs, frameworks, and lifestyles. Another goal is to develop a new model of looking at projects by transcending existing frameworks. To introduce this theme, included is an interview with Junya Ishigami and a conversation between Kazuko Akamatsu of CAt and Toshikatsu Ienari of dot architects. This discussion will provide an insider’s view to the design process and how new ideas are generated. Text in English and Japanese.

Kazuo Shinohara is known globally as an architect representative of Japan’s post-war era and JA93 is devoted to his complete works. Most of his designs have been for private residences and many of.the projects have been published in magazines and other media. The manner in which his work was represented was very important to him and he was known to be selective in choosing the photography, diagrams, and descriptions that were published. Shinohara previously collaborated on how his work was included in Shinkenchiku and JA, this issue combines this content into a complete works edition. From the “House in Kugayama” in 1954, to his posthumous and unbuilt work of the “House in Tateshina Project”, these projects showcase his approach towards architecture. Since his passing in 2006, Shinohara has been awarded with the special commemorative Golden Lion from the Venice Biennale and a series of retrospective exhibitions were held in China and the United States. Text in English and Japanese.

To feature house designs through the decades, The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945 includes 75 houses by over 50 architects. The projects are divided into 13 themes such as Earthy Concrete, Play, and Unmarketable and presented using models, drawings, and photographs. The Japanese have experienced drastic social and environmental changes related to the WW II recovery period leading to rapid economic growth, pollution, the bubble economy and collapse, and natural disasters. Commissioned by individual homeowners, Japanese architects have responded to these changes by developing ideas for new ways of living, expressed through the architecture of the house. A distinguishing feature of Japan is the large proportion of young people owning land and engaging architects. These clients have generally studied residential designs closely before approaching the architect, therefore the resulting new homes tend to be on the experimental side. Text in English and Japanese.