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.

Architecture Asia, as the official journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, aims to provide a forum not only for presenting Asian phenomena and their characteristics to the world but also for understanding diversity and multiculturalism within Asia from a global perspective. In the 21st century, Asia has been developed fast in the wave of globalization, and the living and urban environment are changing rapidly along with the economic development. In this process, many Asian cities are carrying out large-scale urban infrastructure construction in the process of rapid urbanization, and building a large number of iconic buildings that represent the characteristics of the country or city. This issue focuses on Living in the 21st Century, through three perspectives: the transformation of spatial functions, the contradiction between urban development and individual dwelling, and architecture in the age of self-media.

The Art & Times of Daniel Jocz presents the entrancing and challenging work of American jewelry artist and sculptor Daniel Jocz. There is a spontaneous quality to the work, yet it is always rich with meaning. His open spirit is fully embodied in the 2007 neckpiece series An American’s Riff on the Millstone Ruff. Inspired by the extravagant scale of 17th-century Dutch ruffs at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, he decided to update them with automobile paint.

Jeannine Falino takes an in-depth look at the twists and turns of Jocz’s long career, from his early geometric sculptures to the fashion-forward flocked Candy Wear collection, and from his ruminations on Marlene Dietrich in the form of necklaces featuring enamel smoked cigarettes to the wall reliefs he explores today. Wendy Steiner considers Jocz’s place in the avant-garde through the lens of fashion and culture, while Patricia Harris and David Lyon explore his involvement in the rollicking Boston jewelry scene of the late 20th century.

This lavishly illustrated volume opens a window into the world of one of the most extravagant and wide-ranging stylemakers of the last century, a pioneer of the cosmetics industry who was also celebrated for the daring and prescience of her art collecting, her decorating, and her personal couture. Four hundred vintage images and a meticulously researched text, including 16 essays by renowned experts in the fields of art and interior design, illuminate and trace the public and private lives of Helena Rubinstein. Rubinstein’s bold and influential flair for decor – sleekly modern at times, and at other times a wildly eclectic sampling from different eras – was showcased globally in her beauty salons and in her glamorous residences in New York, Paris, and the South of France. An astute patron, she invested in artworks by the luminaries of Parisian bohemia just as they began their ascent. Her vast collection included tapestries by Picasso and Rouault, paintings by Dégas, Dufy, Matisse, Miró, Modigliani, and Monet, as well as murals by Dalí. Her striking instinct for fashion (she wore Worth and Poiret at first, and Balenciaga and St. Laurent 60 years later) and her famous overscaled jewellery kept her in the public eye, decade after decade. Rubinstein’s vibrant character, reflected in her personal style and in the interiors of her homes and salons, is captured here in works by photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Brassaï, André Kertész, Dora Maar, and Man Ray – many of which have never before been published. When the flamboyant and decisive Helena Rubinstein died in 1965, at the age of 94, her huge collections were dispersed. But in these pages her world comes alive again: Over the Top is a unique record of the passionate life and style of this self-made mogul and the century she helped define.

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.

The Jewellery Museum, with its collection that is unique in the world, is a place of wonder and learning. The treasure hunt with Schmucki provides many journeys of discovery for the whole family, accompanied by the pearl pig Schmucki who helps with her sensitive nose. Divided by thematic islands and stages, children learn in a playful way about the meaning of jewellery both in the past and still today as a magical protector, status symbol or in relation to other people. They thereby gain insight into the cultural life of various eras in different countries. The reading of the book doesn’t necessitate a visit to the museum, even at home one can go on a wonderful journey of discovery. This children’s museum guide is intended as a book that grows alongside the children, as it offers the reader stories and riddles with graded levels of difficulty to captivate them. These can be solved either alone or with the help of adults, depending on their age. They learn new concepts, discover worlds of symbols, can learn about working in a museum or can be inspired creatively. This museum guide is suitable as a picture book for reading out loud and it encourages interaction between children and adults with its fascinating questions. The treasure hunt also encourages independent explorations suitable for different age groups. The topic of jewellery is accompanied by craft projects and furthermore a timeline, a glossary and a red magnifying glass for decoding secret clues. Text in German.

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.

Ten more handscrolls from the series Collection of Ancient Calligraphy and Painting Handscrolls: Paintings have rich themes and diverse styles, such as vivid portraits, exquisite landscape paintings, and meticulous paintings of flowers and birds. The paintings are accompanied by texts written by experts, offering detailed analysis of the artists’ works. It is a powerful tribute to Chinese ancient paintings and provides original insight into the work itself. In this series (volumes 11-20), most of handscrolls are painted in Song Dynasty, in which painting became an art of high sophistication and reached a new level of sophistication with further development of landscape painting. The original paintings have been in the collection of the Palace Museum or the Taipei Palace Museum for many years.

The artworks are presented in the traditional format of a handscroll which can be extended indefinitely, so that the postscripts and observations of later generations can be directly followed by the end of the works.

The World’s Best Beaches takes you to 200 breathtaking beaches scattered across the globe. This book is a true tribute to the most beautiful coastlines, where every beach lover can find their paradise. From pristine, pearl-white sands in the tropics to dramatic cliffs along rugged shores, these carefully selected destinations are all worthy of your bucket list. Be inspired by gorgeous photos that make you dream of your next beach adventure, and plan your trip with the practical information provided. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves sun, sea, and sand.

Way of the Sign III offers a great variety of magnificent architectural examples that demonstrate the essential characteristics of good signage: excellent design, integration within the space and functional communication. Also available: Way of the Sign II ISBN: 9789881973566

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.

Looking for the ultimate guide to New York City? You’ve found it! The New York Bucket List brings together the most authentic, quirky, romantic, and one-of-a-kind tips. Whether it’s your first time in NYC or you’ve been living here for over 50 years, this guide will inspire you like never before. This compact pocket guide helps you get the absolute most out of the city. It’s divided into nine themed chapters (Adventurous, Authentic, Romantic, Special, Trendy, Happy, Tasty, Sexy, Fun) so you can easily find the best tips without feeling overwhelmed. Say goodbye to decision fatigue—and getting lost in the city that never sleeps. New York isn’t just a city trip. It’s a journey around the world.

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.