Hardcover Books 25 Items

At a time when sales of vinyl records have hit a 25-year high, and analog technologies are providing the kind of extraordinary audio experiences that our increasingly digital world has started to remove, Hi-Fi is essential reading. This unique book explores just how, when, and why the world fell in love with the look, feel, and sound of top-of-the-line audio equipment. Hi-Fi traces this fascinating evolution from the 1950s to today (and tomorrow), taking readers right up to the current renaissance of all things analog and the emergence of cutting-edge designs for die-hard audiophiles.

The first book from the French band Phoenix, who helped define the sound of an era.

With one foot in the French electronic music sound of the late 1990s and the other in the world of indie Rock, Phoenix have evolved from an edgy French band to one of the most influential and beloved indie acts of the last twenty years.

The book draws on the band's personal archives, including photography of everything from their instruments to the notebooks in which every lyric and chord change were carefully notated. Accompanying this is an oral history of the Phoenix's journey in their own words. The book is a superfan's chronicle of the evolution of a band.

Published to coincide with a series of anniversaries for the band -- thirty years since their formation as teenagers in 1989; twenty since the release of their debut record in 1999; and ten since Grammy Award-winning Best Alternative Album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, in 2009 -- and with original interviews conducted with the band throughout, this book is an intimate celebration of a group whose particular brand of indie rock has struck a chord on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dust is an art book of new photographs by Phil Elverum. There are no words. There is no narrative. These are clear images of a world in color, moments of depth and eeriness found on solitary walks and international drives. The images were made at home (Anacortes, Wash.) and all over the world (in the quiet moments found during Mount Eerie tours), but the where is not the point. The point is the breath of the unknown that a strange new image can breathe from a page if one sits still and looks at it.

They are arranged in pairs, the page spreads building a crucial interplay that creates a third, invisible, internal world as one looks, prompting a wordless conversation between the two images and the viewer. Pairs of rich and mysterious photographs, beautifully printed and bound in black stamped coarse linen. Inside the back cover is a secondary booklet containing 48 photographs.

The ultimate escapist collection of self-sufficient cabins and retreats in the world’s most stunning and inaccessible locations.

Recent advances in technologies and home-generated renewable energy have made building away from urban and rural infrastructures more practical, affordable and desirable than ever. This survey of the world’s most innovative off-grid homes reveals the stunning spaces and constructions that enable us to escape to some of the most extraordinary natural environments on the planet.

All of the houses featured in Off the Grid are fully, or almost fully, self-sufficient in terms of energy, water and, in some cases, food. Architecture and interior design expert Dominic Bradbury reveals how each house makes everyday living in these wild and natural settings a rewarding and tempting reality. From snowbound cabins in the far Northern Hemisphere to coastal retreats that can only be accessed by boat, the diverse projects collected here show the ingenious ways in which architects and their clients are tackling extreme climates, remoteness and construction challenges for new lifestyles that are both liberating and sustainable.

The imperative to reduce our carbon footprints and refocus on renewable sources of energy has a profound impact on our domestic lives. Off the Grid proves that creative architecture, design and technology are redefining living a truly responsible and fulfilling lifestyle.

'Stunning … [an] inspirational overview' Actual Size

'The key here is a desire to be as close to nature as possible, while still enjoying some seriously stylish architecture and interiors … this is a book about escapism, which we can vicariously enjoy via the printed page' Elephant

'Cutting edge in both their architecture and their technology, almost every house featured is also self-sufficient in terms of energy and water' House & Garden

'This international selection - ranging from Thoreauvian writer’s cabins to two-storey barns with acres of glazing - offers bracing independence from utilities and the chance of a digital detox' World of Interiors

About the Author: Dominic Bradbury is a journalist and writer specializing in architecture and design. He is the author of many books on the subject, including Mountain Modern, New Brazilian House, Vertical Living, Mid Century Modern Complete, The Iconic Interior, Mediterranean Modern, New Natural Home and The Iconic House, all published by Thames & Hudson.

Format:PLC (no jacket) Size:29.0 x 23.0 cm Extent:272 pp Illustrations:310 Publication date:21 February 2019 ISBN:9780500021422

Various & Gould: - 15 Years of Urban Print Collage

From multi-colored patchwork identities composed of collaged faces, via halftone murals painted dot by dot, or vivid paper castings of monuments, through to smashed smartphones used as intaglio plates – the duo finds ever new and specific forms of expression in each of their series. Throughout it all, their love for paper is obvious, and this first book is long overdue.
Just in time for Various & Gould’s 15th anniversary, this monograph presents the full range of their work, enriched by essays by selected author.


About the artists:
The artist duo Various & Gould is an integral part of Berlin's Urban Art scene. In a playful and unconventional way, the two artists tackle major social issues such as diversity, migration and work.

With the assistance of her close friend Mark Bego, founding member Mary Wilson tells the complete story of The Supremes, both on- and off-stage, from their beginnings as The Primettes in June 1959 to their 1964 breakthrough Motown hit, ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, and from the departure of Diana Ross to the group’s comeback in the mid-1970s. Packed with personal ancedotes and reflections from Mary herself, the text is accompanied by rare archive photography and ephemera, much taken from Mary’s personal collection.

The Supremes have always been synonymous with glamorous, elegant co-ordinated costumes. Supreme Glamour complements and extends their inspiring story by interleaving text sections with the cream of Mary Wilson’s unparalleled collection of Supremes outfits, showcasing thirty-five of the most eye-catching ensembles, painstakingly re-assembled and photographed on the Grammy museum stage. Detailed captions accompany each photograph, providing all the key information about the design, the fabric, the embellishments, and the occasion on which each was first worn. Contemporary photos of The Supremes wearing the outfits bring the costumes to life.

This sumptuous volume builds a complete picture of the charm and sophistication of The Supremes. Supreme Glamour is sure to appeal to fashionistas, Supremes enthusiasts, Mary’s numerous fans and visitors to her frequent exhibitions of the Mary Wilson/Supremes Gown Collection.

Die Landschaften der USA sind einzigartig und weltberühmt für ihre Schönheit und Vielfalt. In Wanderlust USA stellt der Wanderexperte Cam Honan 30 der schönsten Routen und Nationalparks der Vereinigten Staaten vor. Honan führt seine Leser von den dichten Wäldern der Ostküste über die malerischen Höhenzüge der Rocky Mountains zu den schroffen Schluchten des Grand Canyon und den majestätischen Gletschern Alaskas. Neben beeindruckendem Bildmaterial und Landkarten vermittelt das Buch allerhand Wissenswertes zu Geografie, Geschichte, Tier- und Pflanzenwelt. Darüber hinaus gibt Cam Honan praktische Tipps zu Ausrüstung, Schwierigkeitsgrad und der idealen Reisezeit und macht mit Lagerfeuergeschichten und 20 weiteren Routenbeschreibungen in Kurzform Lust auf unvergessliche Wanderungen.

Erased Tapes presents Continuous Music: Selected Works, the first printed collection of scores from prolific pianist and Continuous Music pioneer Lubomyr Melnyk, making his unique technique available to piano lovers all around the world. This first volume contains selections from each of Melnyk's releases on Erased Tapes, including Corollaries (2013), Evertina (2014), Rivers and Streams (2015) and a very special handwritten score of Pockets of Light, serving as an entry point to his technique. Continuous Music: Selected Works also contains a previously unreleased score, The Moving Window, plus detailed notes from the composer himself. Every copy comes with audio recordings of all six pieces including a new version of Butterfly, specially recorded for the reader.
Melnyk's mission with this sheet music book is for musicians and piano enthusiasts to gain a greater love and understanding of the instrument, while being inspired to delve further into the world of Continuous Music.

The ultimate love letter to the world's most magical plant: Weed. Best-selling author, rapper, chef, and television star Action Bronson is a marijuana superhero, and Stoned Beyond Belief is his masterpiece.

This is an exploration of every corner of the pot galaxy, from highly scientific botanical analyses and the study of pot’s medicinal benefits to a guide to the wild world of weed paraphernalia. It's also a very personal tribute to a substance Bronson refers to as life changing, horizon-expanding, a conduit for happiness, a connector. Weed is to Action Bronson what the madeleine was to Proust: the door to true consciousness.

Organized loosely as 100 entries, including 35 recipes, and packed with illustrations and photos, Stoned Beyond Belief is a trippy and munchie-filled experience as well as an entertainingly valuable resource for weed enthusiasts and scholars. Stoned Beyond Belief will delight Action Bronson fans and pot aficionados all across the universe.

Houston Rap Tapes is the companion to Houston Rap, Peter Beste's intimate photo book on this important hip hop culture. Houston Rap Tapes complements Beste's photography with a series of oral histories conducted by writer Lance Scott Walker. The book features exclusive interviews with legendary producers and MCs such as Bun B,
Willie D, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Big Mike, DJ DMD, K-Rino, Salih Williams and Lil' Troy, alongside stories from old school masters like MC Wickett Crickett and Rick Royal.

The life stories of the Houston rap scene are also represented by an assortment of radio and club personalities, impresarios, ex-pimps, former drug dealers and members of the
community. Lance Scott Walker and Peter Beste spent nine years documenting the
most influential style in twenty-first-century hip hop and the vibrant inner-city culture from which it stems.

The three-dimensional look of today’s visual culture is being shaped by techniques and styles from fine art and handicraft.

High Touch is a powerful collection of cutting-edge tactile design. This choice selection of three-dimensional work defines a new visual language for presentation and storytelling. The handicraft and artisanship necessary for the creation of these works appeal to the interdisciplinary mindset of our time and activate more of our senses than standard two-dimensional images ever could. High Touch documents an inspiring range of material objects and spatial orchestrations that meld crafts including crochet, papercraft, and the design of costumes and masks with the techniques of more traditional art forms such as installation, sculpture, collage, photography, and illustration. The examples featured in the book prove that the scope for this trailblazing work is enormous. Applications include advertising, brand presentations, editorial design, photography, product design, stage design, and scenography, as well as related fields that either exist already or that their creators have yet to invent. Today’s visual culture is shaped by a vast wealth of influences from diverse styles, cultures, and eras. Handcrafts including crochet, papercraft, and the design of costumes and masks are being melded with the techniques of more traditional art forms such as installation, sculpture, collage, photography, and illustration. A new visual language is currently being formed out of the skillful and unusual combination of creative styles, as well as the use of an expanded range of materials and techniques. One of the most striking aspects of today’s visual culture is its handcrafted quality. The recent work of many creatives is characterized by craftsmanship and an intensive, even laborious exploration of the featured techniques, materials, or styles. High touch is a term used in design theory to describe an accessible, human visuality. The book High Touch is a compilation of current work that is broadening and enriching this definition in a contemporary way. It presents a rich selection of innovative, often handmade design created with the full spectrum of materials and stylistic devices in existence today—all of which also strive to expand this palette of visual possibilities in a meaningful way. The examples featured in High Touch prove that the scope of application for this trailblazing work is enormous. It includes advertising, brand presentations, photography, product design, stage design, and scenography, as well as related fields that either exist already or that their creators have yet to invent.

Format: 24 x 28 cm Features: 224 pages, full color, hardcover Isbn: 978-3-89955-444-1

Continue to explore the geography of genius in Desperately Seeking Frida, a pocket-sized hardcover guide that catalogs and explores the most important locations in Frida Kahlo’s life. Detailed maps show her movements around the world, while archival photographs of the artist and the spaces she inhabited bring her international journey to life. Quotes from contemporaries and Frida herself accompany historical and biographical details that give context to the maps and images. Fans will be thrilled by this in depth, lifetime-spanning tour of her global trajectory, from La Casa Azul in Coyoacán, Mexico, to New York City, San Francisco and Paris. Like the other titles in the series, Desperately Seeking Frida looks at a major cultural icon from a brand-new angle, providing context for her life, work, and legacy.

Desperately Seeking Van Gogh adopts a very refreshing new way of looking at the life of this most brilliant of artists: by following in his footsteps around all the locations which meant the most to him and which most influenced his work.

We capture the mood of bourgeois respectability of his mother’s family in The Hague, the fields and dyke banks of the sleepy provincial town of Zundert on the Dutch/Belgian border where he grew up, to the boarding schools which he hated. We go with Vincent to The Hague where he was an apprentice art dealer, to his time in England and his dreams of maybe escaping to South America, Brussels, Antwerp, Paris and then to all the detailed locations in Provence, and many more.

Every spread features great imagery – both photographic and of Vincent’s works – and a fascinating commentary. For any enthusiast or art history student of Vincent, this title is a must. For anyone new to his work, it is a very accessible, friendly and insightful way to look at his life.

A visual catalog of site-specific rap lyrics in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and more.

With lyrics from Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000, Kanye West, Scarface and more.

Since 2013, multi-disciplinary artist Jay Shells (Jason Shelowitz) has been travelling to major US cities, installing his Rap Quotes campaign. At the time of this publication, the campaign has touched down in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and the Bay Area.
Part art book and part guide book, The Rap Quotes Coast to Coast takes you on a new kind of journey, with gorgeous photography by Aymann Ismail to offer context for the hip hop lyrics that mark locations in these major cities. Each city/chapter opens with remarks by local hip hop journalists and ends with a map plotting every site-specifc rap lyric for that city, giving the reader the ability to take their own hip hop-specific tour of the city they love. The Rap Quotes campaign is ongoing, and in the next few years will launch in Chicago, New Orleans, Miami and other cities around the globe.

“Taking lyrics from well-known rap songs, artist Jay Shells creates street signs and installs them at the physical locations referenced on the tracks. The “Rap Quotes” project is one of the greatest hip-hop themed street art projects of all time ...”
Andrew Lasane, Complex

“When I wrote the lyric, I wasn’t thinking anything like this would ever happen, but it’s an honor, it’s an honor honestly.”
Masta Ace

A lyrical, poignant ode to wrinkles and the stories they tell, by the world renowned photographer and public artist JR

This first-ever picture book by internationally acclaimed artist-photographer JR allows young readers to consider the lives and stories of the older people around them. Memories, experiences, and emotions are touched on in a welcoming way, creating the perfect conversation-starter between children and their elders. Evocative black-and-white photographs of faces and simple, poignant read-aloud text consider the literal and lyrical meaning of wrinkles, leaving readers of all ages with a well-justified appreciation of aging and natural beauty. Published to coincide with a major exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, opening in October 2019.

This unique history of rock tells the musical story in a new way: through infographics that illustrate the evolution, influences, and connections between different genres&;such as blues, pop, punk, progressive, and heavy metal. For each artist, including The Beatles, Dylan, Janis Joplin, Springsteen, Bowie, the Ramones, Amy Winehouse, and Nirvana, the powerful visual representation gives at-a-glance information on how many records sold, how much money was made, how long a record stayed on the charts, how many days was required to record a disc, how many followers on Twitter, and so much more&;plus a timeline of the artist&;s career. Full-page photographs and introductory text round out this fascinating volume.