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Art &
Architecture |
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The 10 Rules of Rock and
Roll: Collected Music Writings 2005-2009 Forster, Robert Black Inc PB 9781863954501 $27.95 Here, former
Go-Between Robert Forster takes us on an exhilarating trip through the past
and present of popular music. Drawn from his music criticism for The Monthly
magazine, the pieces here swerve from The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Nana
Mouskouri and Neil Diamond to Cat Power, Antony and the Johnsons, Franz
Ferdinand and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as Australian mainstays such as
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Mark Seymour and Paul Kelly. Best of all,
Forster has also included new pieces in which he outlines the 10 Rules of
Rock and Roll, reflects on the influence of The Velvet Underground and
movingly remembers his partner in The Go-Betweens, Grant McLennan. |
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Art and Text Various authors Black Dog HB 9781906155650 $75.00 The use of both
word and image in artistic practice has become a defining feature of
contemporary art. From typographers to easel painters to video artists, text
has become a larger part of artistic practice ever since Modernism, with
practitioners pushing the boundaries of their discipline to incorporate an
increasing variety of expression and meaning. Art and Text investigates the
use of text in contemporary artistic practice, showcasing the most innovative
and groundbreaking examples of how word and image have come to occupy the
same artistic terrain. Lavishly illustrated with the work of contemporary
artists including Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Barbara
Kruger and Bruce Nauman. |
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Ecodesign Barbero, Cozzo & Tamborrini Ullman HB 9783833152788 $79.95 Sustainable
design is the common thread that links the items illustrated in this handsome
and important book. From household appliances to means of transport, from
clothing to home fittings to packaging, more than 100 products divided into eight
categories demonstrate the incredible results achieved at the international
level by stateof- the-art design in pursuing sustainability. Ecodesign
presents a fascinating range of products in 352 richly illustrated pages:
from stylish energy savers for everyday life and multifunctional furniture
systems, to the natural clothing and cosmetics of the future. The new green
approach showcased here reflects a dynamic lifestyle that imaginatively
brings together design, innovation and the responsible use of resources. |
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Jazz Giddins, Gary and De Veaux, Sco Norton HB 9780393068610 $59.95 Jazz is not
an encyclopaedia or conventional musical history. Written by US music critic
Gary Giddins and jazz historian Scott DeVeaux, it’s different because it places
the music and its protagonists against a broader cultural, political and
social background. In order to help novices understand the technique behind
jazz improvisation, the book also includes chapters on basic musical elements
and provides listening guides to 78 recordings, from classics to more obscure
pieces. Classic 1940s portraits by legendary jazz photographer Herman Leonard
introduce each chapter and complete the story. |
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Looking at Paintings: A
Private View Cottrell, Richard Murdoch HB 9781741964868 $69.95 Internationally
acclaimed theatre director Richard Cottrell takes a journey through 600 years
of art with a look at 50 of his favourite paintings by 20 of his favourite
artists. Cottrell’s selection isn’t so much a lesson on art history as an
exploration of the human condition, and how the timeless and enduring
popularity of great works of art is directly linked to our shared emotions.
With an at times light-hearted and conversational tone, Cottrell brings
together an eclectic mix of greats such as Tintoretto, Goya, Caravaggio,
Rembrandt, Picasso, Seurat and Manet, along with homegrown favourites
Drysdale and Nolan. Looking at Paintings is an engaging, informative and
accessible look at the richness of Western art, and how one man in particular
enjoys it. |
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McCubbin: Latest
Impressions 1907-17 Gray, Anne National Gallery of Australia PB 9780642334039 $49.95 Along with
Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Charles Conder, Frederick McCubbin was at
the vanguard of Australian impressionism. In contrast to earlier bush
narratives such as Lost, the ethereal paintings he produced in the final
decade of his life were inspired by the Turners and Impressionists he saw on
his sole trip to Europe at the age of 52. Resplendent with atmospheric light
and colour, these ‘last impressions’ were the focus of an exhibition held at
the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra in late 2009, for which this
book was produced. Meticulously researched to provide an updated biography of
the artist, the publication contextualises the colour reproductions of works
including Moonrise and Golden Sunlight that made him one of Australia’s
best-loved artists. |
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Painting Today Godfrey, Tony Phaidon HB 9780714846316 $120.00 Photo-realism,
abstraction, portraiture, installation painting and neo-expressionism are
just some of the areas of the thriving medium explored in Painting Today.
This comprehensive survey of contemporary painting presents the broad range
of styles, materials and methods that comprise the contemporary art form,
extending the tradition of Phaidon’s trail-blazing Art Today, which surveyed
the scene from the 1960s to 1999. Since the proclaimed ‘death of painting’ in
1968, artists around the globe have nevertheless continued to expand its
imagery, techniques and meanings, and in over 500 full-colour illustrations
this book presents the work of both famous and emergent painters active
around the world, including Australia’s Michael Jagamara Nelson, Doreen Reid
Nakamarra and Imants Tillers. |
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A Singular Voice: Essays in
Australian Art & Architecture Kerr, Joan & Bruce, Dysart, Holder (eds) Power Publications PB 9780909952365 $59.95 A Singular
Voice celebrates the remarkable contribution to Australia’s cultural life and
legacy made by the prolific art historian and curator Joan Kerr, who died in
2004. Reproducing her essays for a new generation of art lovers, the book
focuses on the themes of ‘Art and Life’, ‘Art and Artists’ and ‘Art and
Architecture’ to reveal Kerr’s wit, acute eye for detail and scholarly
research. The essays also highlight her important work as a feminist art
historian, and her role in reassessing the place of women in art and the work
of little-known Australian artists. The book includes a short biography of
Kerr and a list of her essential writings, which includes her groundbreaking
publication, The Dictionary of Australian Artists. |
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Sumo NEWTON, HELMUT TAschen HB 9783836517300 $349.00 The biggest,
most lavish book production of the 20th century is back! Sumo was a titanic
book in every respect: a 35.4kg, 480-page masterwork by one of the 20th
century’s most influential, intriguing and controversial photographers,
Helmut Newton (1920–2004). This spectacular compendium of images
reproduced to exceptional page size and to state-of-the-art origination and
printing standards emerged from an open, exploratory dialogue between
photographer and publisher. Originally published in an edition of 10,000
signed and numbered copies, it sold out soon after publication and quickly
multiplied its value. This new, more-affordable edition will bring Newton’s
unique vision to a wider audience and comes complete with a specially
designed stand for displaying the book at home. |
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Unpacking My Library:
Architects & their Books Steffens, Jo (ed) Yale HB 9780300158939 $34.95 Unashamedly
voyeuristic, Unpacking My Library takes us into the personal libraries of 14
of the world’s leading architects. Providing an interesting take on both
reading and collecting, the book includes a conversation with each architect
about the significance of certain books in their collection, revealing
different tastes and interests. Evocative glimpses of the libraries and their
groaning bookshelves are provided, along with each architect’s 10 most
influential titles. Common to many bookshelves are books by Robert Venturi,
Corbusier and that massive, seminal architectural tome S, M, L, XL. Other
suggestions are more surprising, including Proust, Hugo, Pynchon, Musil and
Faulkner, providing insights into the mind and library, if not the belly, of
an architect. |
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Women of Flowers: Botanical
Art in Australia from the 1830s to the 1960s Norton, Leonie National Library of Australia PB 9780642276834 $34.95 Renowned
botanical artist Leonie Norton pays tribute to those who came before her in
this beautiful full-colour book, illustrated with over 100 exquisite
botanical paintings. Ten Australian women artists are showcased here, their
lives and work dating from Mary Morton Allport (who moved from a refined
English life to a bark humpy in Van Diemen’s Land in 1831) to Ida McComish
(who travelled the Pacific with her botanist husband to collect, paint and
record unique flora and died in 1978). The paintings are accompanied by
biographical essays on each artist documenting their lives and their approach
to art – all of them have been little known until now. This book has
clearly been a labour of love, as shown in its stunning production values and
depth of research. |
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Yarn Bombing: The Art of
Crochet & Knit Graffiti Moore, Mandy and Prain, Leanne UNSW PB 9781551522555 $29.95 On city
street corners, around telephone posts, through barbed-wire fences and over abandoned
cars, a quiet revolution is brewing. Knit graffiti is an international
guerrilla movement that started underground and is now embraced by crochet
and knitting artists of all ages, nationalities and genders. Its
practitioners create stunning works of art out of yarn, then ‘donate’ them to
public spaces as part of a covert plan for world yarn domination. Yarn
Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti is the definitive guidebook to
covert textile street art. |
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HIGHLIGHT The Art of Graeme Base Base, Graham Viking PB 9780670074297 $49.95 A lavishly
illustrated exploration of the life and work of the acclaimed Australian
artist who created Animalia (Puffin. PB. $19.95). NB: December release. |
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SPECIAL PRICEHIGHLIGHT Cazneaux: The Quiet
Observer Ennis, Helen (intro) National Library of Australia PB 9780642276100 $14.95 Originally $34.95 This pair
of National Library of Australia pictorials celebrates the work of two important
Australian photographers, prefaced by essays by curator Helen Ennis. A leader
of the Australian Pictorial Movement, Harold Cazneux’s evocative portraits,
Sydney views and landscapes captured the changing face of Australia during
the early decades of the 20th century, and helped create an Australian school
of photography. Olive Cotton took a modern rather than pictorial approach to
photography, experimenting with dramatic studio lighting and capturing the
windswept patterns of the countryside, trees and flowers. |
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HIGHLIGHT Charley Harper: An
Illustrated Life Harper, Charley Ammo Books HB 9781934429372 $95.00 Wow. This
is a truly magnificent book – a handsome hardcover devoted to
showcasing the paintings and illustrations of Charley Harper, now destined to
become far better known and appreciated. Renowned designer Todd Oldham grew
slowly obsessed with Charley Harper’s work after encountering a pile of old
Ford Times magazines in a thrift shop and being deeply struck by some of
Harper’s illustrations. His find led to extensive research and hunting for
long-lost examples of the artist’s book and magazine work – and
eventually, meeting Charlie himself. Oldham’s long interview with Harper, at
the beginning of the book, is a joyous, exuberant journey through a long and
satisfying career and a pleasure to read. Also available: a stunning
collector’s edition ($385). |
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HIGHLIGHT The Crafty Minx: Creative
Recycling and handmade treasures Doust, Kelly Murdoch PB 9781741964950 $39.95 This clever
book shows how to make gorgeous things from pre-loved, remnant and vintage
items. |
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SPECIAL PRICEHIGHLIGHT E. O. Hoppe's Australia Hoe, Graham & Esau, Erika Norton HB 9780393066111 $19.95 Originally $54.95 E. O. Hoppé
was once the most famous photographer in the world. He snapped celebrities
and royalty in Britain, and chronicled America over two years of travel. In
1930, he travelled around Australia, spending 10 months intrepidly trekking
between Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, tropical Queensland, central Australia,
Sydney (where the Harbour Bridge was being constructed) and newly built
capital Canberra (where his photographs captured the irony of a few grand
buildings emerging from paddocks and bush). The wonderful images here have
been buried in archives for more than 60 years. Browsing them now, the reader
is struck by the relics of the past (Depression-era tin shanties, horses and
carts on city streets), the exotic (a camel train in the outback, Aborigines
in ceremonial dress) and the familiar (Flinders Street Station, Penfolds
vineyards). |
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HIGHLIGHT Meet Me at Mike's: 26
Crafty Projects & Things to Make Lincolne, Pip Hardie Grant PB 9781740666305 $45.00 Twenty-six
quirky craft projects with easy-to-follow instructions and full-size fold-out
patterns. |
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SPECIAL PRICEHIGHLIGHT The Mind and Times of Reg
Mombassa Waldren, Murray Harper Collins HB 9780732287894 $63.95 Originally $75.00 Christopher
O’Doherty, aka Reg Mombassa, has infiltrated our culture for more than 30 years
with a unique, laconic view of the world. His wit, sense of mischief and
larrikin energy resonated in the music of popular ’80s band Mental As
Anything, and his eye for the absurd captured another generation with his
irreverent, frequently macabre and always distinctive designs for the
original Mambo label. Yet long before he became a Mental or transformed
shirts into collectors’ items, Mombassa was first and foremost an artist.
Illustrated with almost 300 original artworks and packed with photographs,
posters and band memorabilia, this stunning book showcases everything from
his idiosyncratic pop art to the delicately realised landscapes and images
with which he celebrates the suburbs. |
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SPECIAL PRICEHIGHLIGHT Olive Cotton: Photographyer Ennis, Helen (intro) National Library of Australia PB 9780642276117 $14.95 Originally $34.95 This pair
of National Library of Australia pictorials celebrates the work of two
important Australian photographers, prefaced by essays by curator Helen
Ennis. A leader of the Australian Pictorial Movement, Harold Cazneux’s
evocative portraits, Sydney views and landscapes captured the changing face
of Australia during the early decades of the 20th century, and helped create
an Australian school of photography. Olive Cotton took a modern rather than
pictorial approach to photography, experimenting with dramatic studio
lighting and capturing the windswept patterns of the countryside, trees and
flowers. |
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SPECIAL PRICEHIGHLIGHT Photo-wisdom Blackwell, Lewis Hachette HB 9780733624629 $59.95 Originally $70.00 Through its
selection of outstanding images and revelatory interviews, Photo-Wisdom:
Master Photographers on Their Art provides an unrivalled exploration of the richness
of contemporary photographic practice. The purpose and the technique of
photography is explained and discussed with many of the greatest
photographers of our time. These luminaries share their visions, their
challenges, their motivations and their methods through original and highly
accessible ‘in-their-ownwords’ commentaries. The photographers featured range
from award-winning photojournalists to celebrity shooters; from politicised
environmentalists to elusive artists; from timeless veterans to new
visionaries; and from great storytellers to the makers of lasting icons. |
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HIGHLIGHT The Sartorialist Schuman Scott Penguin PB 9781846142505 $49.95 Four years
ago fashion photographer Scott Schuman launched a blog. His aim was to
connect the fashion runway with the street and show the world what real
people are wearing. The Sartorialist is now one of the most popular blogs on
the Net, and Schuman has been named one of Time magazine’s top 100 design
influencers. This book brings together a large selection of Schuman’s street
photography from around the world (though mainly from style capitals New
York, Paris, London and Milan), with non-judgemental, minimal text providing
a little background to a theme, place or protagonist. Voyeuristic and
compelling, The Sartorialist is sure to get you thinking about style,
fashion, self-expression, identity and what you should wear tomorrow. Also
available: limited collector’s edition ($250). |
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HIGHLIGHT The Triumph of Music:
Composers, Musicians & Their Audiences, 1700 to the Present Blanning, Tim Penguin PB 9780141038957 $26.95 An engaging
study of composers, musicians and their audiences from 1700 to the present. |
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HIGHLIGHT Vagabond Holes: David
McComb & The Triffids Coughran, Chris & Lucy, Niall (eds) FACP PB 9781921361623 $35.00 Nick Cave,
Robert Forster, John Kinsella and Mick Harvey are among the contributors to
this illustrated collection about post-punk band, The Triffids. |
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HIGHLIGHT Woman as Design Bailey, Stephen Conran HB 9781840915327 $80.00 An eclectic
mix of design, cultural history, erotica, fashion and fetishism focusing on
the female body. |