5 comments about One Place after Another: Site-Specific Art and Locational Identity.

1. This is a helpful survey of the related issues of site specificity and institutional critique. My students find it accessible, and find that it ties together major themes and artists of the 1970s. Highly recommended for those teaching/studying art since 1970.



2. I was waiting eagerly for the Kwon to arrive after I purchased it, perhaps this heightened expectation is to blame for the slight sense of deflation as I read it.
   The text has a fairly useful historical overview of the history of 'site' as an artistic idea, with a specifically American focus. One of my disappointments was that Kwon appears to be relying on secondary research, drawing from public art examples already extensively discussed in other public art texts, most notably those of Tom Finklepearl and Grant Kester. The book raises some interesting questions about the relationships between comissioning agents and artists in relation to the thorny problem of what constitutes an identifiable 'community.' These questions are however limited to a narrow interpretation of what public art practice is, remaining close to issues found in what has been called New Genre.
   All in all useful as an introduction to the subject, a teaching tool for undergraduate students, but perhaps better as a companion text rather than a definitive source. If you have the Finklepearl already you may not need this one.



3. This book is a useful addition to the literature--a more comprehensive book that also looked at practices outside the USA is what is really needed. That's one of the major drawbacks of this book, it doesn't clearly indicate that it is tracing an American history of the idea of site-specificity.

   The first chapter provides a short history of site specificity from an American point of view (minimalism, conceptual art's critique of institutions) and draws heavily on James Meyer's idea of the functional site to think about the present, after that the book is a series of case studies. A better book for considering the range and history of site specific practices (which includes this book's first chapter and Meyer's essay) is Erika Suderburg's Space Site Intervention.




4. Miwon Kwon's writing is extremely wordy and very hard to grasp. You'll inevitably spend more time looking up her obscure vocabulary than actual reading. I found her writing hard to comprehend even after reading chapters multiple times. I'm a college level reader, and have experienced few problems understanding other art related readings. Her sentences are incredibly redundant and very hard to understand. Honestly, I would ONLY recommend this book to College Professors or anyone with a PHD; otherwise save your self the time and pass this one up. You'll be happy you did.



5. I find Kwon's book informative and insightful, especially as a practitioner working with installation and context-specific project, and with current development of contemporary theories particularly in mind. Kwon's geneological approach towards reading the development of site-specific work is impressive, obviously overlaid with cultural theory in her analysis. Although she has focused mainly on the perplexity of community-charged art projects at the later chapter, her delivery on spatial politics and the many other facets of the production of site-specific art is most valuable, especially with some useful terminology and concepts (in reading the progress of these practice). Reading the text in conjunction with few other similar books on the issue of space, site and art production, one could discern some of the common notions of criticality and urgency in addressing the unscrupulous co-option of mainstream institutional forces. No doubt, the text could post as both informative and also a challenge towards artistic production, itself in turn becomes a site of intervention as it suggest (and aim) for communal praxis in an (politically correct) age of `glocalisation'.

2 comments about The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream.

1. Written from a perspective that most urban critiques fail to provide, this book grounds the reader in the real estate, demographic and policy realities that have shaped the American built environment into what we see today. Leinberger knows this stuff cold, both as a developer and through his more recent positions in Brookings and academia. He writes in an approachable style and provides the most thorough discussion to date of the entrenched system of subsidies and practices fueling types of residential and commercial construction that is increasingly at odds with the "true" market. Late in the book, I think he makes a rare--but very appropriate--connection between the implication of the continuation of these policies and our future energy needs. For those of us who like a good, constructive reality check now and again in the midst of all the usual suburban finger-wagging, it's a must-read book this year.



2. People outside the planning profession would find this book helpful in understanding new directions that are possible. Developers who are looking for a competitive advantage tool would do well to avail themselves to Leinberger's perspective on urbanism. It is an easy read, not technical, requires no specific background other than a healthy curiosity and drive to do better. City commissioners would also benefit from purusing these pages.
   
   The author is a major mover and shaker in Albuquerque and a key proponent of their downtown revival. Leinberger writes from first-hand experience. I recommend reading books like this because it is a chance to get inside the head of a visionary. A person could easily read one book like this each week; how else could you immerse yourself in 52 change agents per year?? When a consultant of Leinberger's stature shares 5 hours of his insights for less than $20 it is a pretty good value.

5 comments about Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide.

1. If you are truly interested in using cob and building environmentaly friendly homes, then this book is for you. It is very descriptave in it's wording and the pictures in it help as well. This book is a must have if you plan to use or build with cob!



2. Lavishly illustrated, this is a well-organized, clearly written volume describing the processes necessary to build a range of structures using earth and straw (and a number of other natural materials). The drawings and photographs really help support the text, providing a rich introduction into the world of cob and natural building. An exceptional book for anyone thinking about getting involved with cob building.



3. Those of you who have read "The Hand-Sculpted House" by Ianto Evans will like this book. It is an excellent guide to building with cob. I felt that every aspect of building a house was covered in enough detail that you could start building with cob if you were even a little bit handy. Although building a house is covered well, it includes building fireplaces and cob ovens, too.
   
   I paid forty five dollars for my copy at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair and see now that I could have saved fifteen dollars. Still, if you are looking for just one book to cover many aspects of using cob then you won't go wrong with this book.



4. En este volumen aparece todo lo que se necesita saber sobre una construcción Cob, lo que hecho a faltar aquí como en la mayoría de libros de construcción natural es el cálculo de estructuras para el tejado, y su correcto dimensionado.
   
   Un libro fascinante con multitud de detalles y esquemas



5. Even after reading this book pretty carefully, and even looking it up in the dictionary, I never got a good definition of the word 'COB.' None the less, what he's talking about would be called adobe in this country. That is, you take subsoil with a reasonably high clay content, mix it with sand, straw and perhaps a few other things, and you get a remarkably strong building material.
   
   I was involved with a friend that wanted to modify his adobe houst by taking out a window and converting it into a door. The adobe in his house was well aged, about a hundred years. Pulling the window out was easy. Then we got to removing the adobe. We intended to just pick up the bricks and move them aside. They wouldn't move. Pry them with a long iron rod, they wouldn't move. Hit them with a pick and it hardly made a dent. Eventually he got the bricks out of the way using a jackhammer.
   
   This book is on building houses out of earth. It's written in England where there are an estimated half million cob houses. And it talks about the way things are done over there. Not too different than here, except for the building codes. But, of coure, the building codes in this country are quite different in detail of how they are in England. I don't have any idea how many there are in the US. It is certainly no longer a common building method here. My guess is that building within a city limit will be difficult.
   
   All in all, this is probably the best book I've seen on the subject.

3 comments about Ando: Complete Works (Taschen Spring).

1. Very good designed book...informative...plenty of drawings but they used yellowish color, so drawings are hard to read...but it worths every penny that you spent...
   Yagmur Toprakli/Ankara



2. Content wise, it is very similar to Ando (Taschen Basic Architecture series) - a smaller format paperback. In fact, the two books share many photos. This book adds lots of hand drawings and CAD illustrations to complement the photos and to help readers understand the perspective. But don't take me wrong, this is not a textbook, this is a well-designed coffee-table book that you can enjoy reading page after page. This book is a real bargain.



3. Super value for the price. Good photos and drawings and several projects which are not well documented in other works.

5 comments about WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING: A BEHIND-THE-DREAMS LOOK AT MAKING THE MAGIC REAL.

1. This book contains an astonishing array of images and sketches from throughout the development of various projects the Imagineers have worked on. If you are interested in really understanding the forced perspective of Cinderella's Castle, or the graphical concept behind "It's A Small World", or if you're just a big fan of the Disney theme parks, this is a remarkable resource, full of life and creative spark. Though it does not have any sort of case study of the development of any particular attraction (though why would it since the most important part of the development is the final version, the one that guests get to enjoy!), a single flip through the book will reveal the vast amount of effort that goes into the Imagineer's creations. Through a closer inspection it is possible to understand the intricate ways in which the various departments collaborate on the projects. Overall, it's a spectacular collection of images and ideas, and is well worth the money for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an Imagineer.



2. Wonderful book full of information! Definitely recommend this for any Disney behind the scene facts!



3. I added this book to my collection several years ago, and it is a great addition to any Disney or Imagineering fan's collection. I personally am a huge fan of Walt Disney the man, and all the projects he was involved in. This book gives more images than anything else, but some of the images and the little bit of information it gives is definitely interesting and fun to have. If you are looking for something more in depth about Imagineering I don't know if you will really find it here - it is similar to what you might get in watching a behind the scenes special feature on a DVD, it just glosses over some of the projects and plans throughout Disney Imagineering history.



4. I taught high school art and retired a couple years ago. This was my bible for creative ideas and approach. I now teach at the college level and still use it regularly as a reference.
   
   I have gifted this book to several of my outstanding students. They loved it.



5. I loved this book because it has so many pictures. It is most interesting to see aspects of the rides that you might not get to view by visiting the park. The enthusiasm of this book is inspiring for anyone who is interested in theme park design. It does not get into anthing too technical, or show you what an Imagineer does from day to day on a regular basis. I would reccomend this book if you are interested in seeing Disneyland from another angle or if you want to be a theme park designer. It is a very good book if you aren't looking for technical advice, just to have fun and get excited!

5 comments about French Home.

1. What is a French Home anyway? Is there such a thing as an American Home?
   
   I was smitten by this book -- it was love at first sight. I'm not necessarily a big fan of French decorating per se. I do like the European country look, however. I also happen to like Japanese home-decorating style, which has a lot more in common with the look presented in this book than you might think, and I actually mix the two in my own home.
   
   The reviewers who were disappointed in this book probably associated "French" with rich, opulent, fluffy, and even ornate. This book isn't about ornate. It's about rustic. It's about valuing history and character in the homes you live in and things you live with.
   
   It of course is not the way ALL French people live.
   
   And as a response to the reviewer who were disappointed because the book showed photos of objects, not of rooms, I'd like to say: In decorating you need to see the big picture as well as the small pictures. Often, it's the small things that really tell the story. If you are looking for ways to add that special touch to your rooms, this is a great book because the photos give you lots of ideas and inspiration. If not, you may not get much out of the book.
   
   All in all, I am very satisfied with the book, and I've been looking at it every day.



2. Happy to report that I found this book had lots of useful and chic ideas that can be easily translated to "Kiwi" New Zealand interiors. I happily recommend this book. Sumptuous images and an easy style. There is even a painting in one of the rooms by a New Zealand artist whose work I also have...what a small world!



3. Happily, for those of us who truly love French style, viewpoint and decor, there are some very fine books available. This is one of them.
   
   I was dismayed at some earlier reviews because this book truly captures the french respect for time and process, connection with Nature and the eye for placement based on function,soulfulness and items well loved. It is entirely appropriate that one reviewer who missed the point praised the Betty Lou Phillips books which are always only a sterile surface amalgamation of what rich Texans GUESS french style is about.
   
   Like all the important things in life, you either get it or you don't. HOCKEY FAN needs to stick to hockey.



4. Absolutely fantastic book! Great ideas, great style! Highly recommended to any with a keen interest in interior decor - french style!



5. Very disappointed! I wanted to see beautiful rooms this was more objects. Nothing like Betty Lou Phillips beautiful books. Will be returning it.

1 comments about Kim Parker Home.

1. I received this book yesterday and COULDN'T WAIT to review it! I have a huge library of interior design books...mostly because that is my passion and my creative outlet. Kim Parker Home is, without a doubt, my favorite book. My taste runs from the quirky to the funky, but it is always colorful and the rooms that are featured in this book mirror that aesthetic. I am also a huge flea market fan and aside from the color, it is also obvious that Kim Parker, herself, also appreciates vintage items for their charm and uniqueness. As you leaf through the pages you will see the most vibrant colors and patterns imaginable. Vintage sofas are covered in lushly patterned and vibrantly colored fabrics of Ms. Parker's design. I found myself turning the pages over and over and each time I discovered something I had missed the time before. The only disappointing thing about viewing such treasures is discovering that unless you have money to burn, purchasing most of the wonderful rugs, pillows, linens, art or dinnerware that can be found in high-end stores is probably not in your budget. Nonetheless, I'm sure I will spend countless hours enjoying the beautiful photography and presentation this book has to offer. Another bonus is that under the dustcover the book is covered in a lovely floral design...very nice on your coffee table!

5 comments about Patterns of Home: The Ten Essentials of Enduring Design.

1. I first got this book when checking out a bunch of books on home design from the library. This one really spoke to me and stood out from the crowd. I ended up buying one copy for friends who are building a house and one for me... because SOMEDAY I am going to build my house... and just has good ways to think about what I want to do with the house I'm in and what I'd look for both as existing features and potential features of a new home. Concrete ways to think about how to create a home that feels like home.



2. I loved the original, but this one is lame. One star for pretty pictures. In a nutshell, here are the 10 patterns in this book.
   1. Be rich.
   2. Own a very large piece of beautiful property.
   3. Preferably in an environmentally sensitive area like a wetland.
   4. Or own a house in a historical neighborhood.
   5. Be very rich.
   6. Build a small house, say 4000-5000 square feet.
   7. Make sure your house is perfectly new and perfectly clean, but with mature landscaping.
   8. Use tons and tons of wood to build your house.
   9. Own several invisible cars.
   10. Be one of the .001% of the people who can afford these insane homes.
   Good luck.



3. There may be a few good principles here but they were lost on me, amidst the overwhelming ostentatiousness of the houses. Do they think the only people who read design books are multi-millionaires? The houses lacked the very thing they were going for - a sense of home-iness.



4. The architect authors have matured since they wrote "A Pattern Language" (APL), and have made a large effort to extract and apply just the essential rules from the hundred of rules of APL.
   
   True, PoH is a large, posh book of large, posh homes. The cost of the homes are far outside the means of over 99 percent of American families. However, these large designs include truly practical concepts that can be translated into more realistic homes.
   
   Each design is far more useful and welcoming that what you might find in a bool of hundreds of houseplans. We are going to build an energy efficient home under 2000 sq ft, and we will refer to PoH to stay on track with the few essential elements. No, it will not have 30 foot ceilings over a huge common room (just you try and paint it!), but it will show the roofline and include other elements.



5. This book provides valuable informaion for those who want to pursue the perfectly built and positioned home. The concepts are fasinating and could be somewhat easy to put into pratice, however, the author uses large, VERY expensivly built homes leaving the impression that only the very wealthy can afford such superior design. This is unfortunate. I do believe that some the most basic concepts can be put into play in most homes it would just take some imagination and determination.

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions.

1. This book gives you a wealth of knowledge and ideas. There are no "how to's" in the book however, so if you need sewing directions, you will need another reference. But there are charts on how to figure how much material you will need, and little hints about the types of fabrics that will look good and what to avoid with the different designs, so it is an excellent reference up to the point of actually making the drapes or curtains yourself.



2. Found this book very informative illustrative hence beneficial in my work . Thanks much
   Austin



3. As an interior decorating shop, this book is an integral part of our work station. It helps us with practically every custom job we fabricate. Whether you are a professional, or just interested in decorating as a hobby, it educates you on every level, and is user-friendly. We highly recommend.



4. Spiral-bound, ALL in color, ALL illustrations in full color. Beautiful book, and very easy to use, with the tabs it has that open it to the specific chapter I want.
   The detailed instructions for materials needed, and construction, are excellent.



5. This fifth edition has all the sketches in color. Just to give you an idea of how comprehensive this is, there are 19 pages showing valances, with five per page. I love this book, as it really opened our minds to the variety of styles available for windows. No more boring windows.
   There's even a section for draperies, swags and valances used with beds.
   I particularly liked the section "Windows With a Challenge" that showed solutions for such issues as an air conditioner in a double-hung window or dealing with arched top windows.
   This has two index sections in the back. One is the usual word index and the other is a 38 page visual index showing the windows in black-and-white thumbnail sketches.
   It's terrific, not just for professional decorators, but for all individuals wanting a new look for their home.
   (I hope you find this review helpful, and if you do, please click yes.)

5 comments about Case Study Houses: 1945-1966: The California Impetus (Taschen Basic Architecture).

1. Ok, Ok, there's a beautiful, gigantic, definitive book on the Case Study Houses at $136. Then there's this small, slick little book, presenting each and every case study house, in order, editorially excellent through and through. An outstanding summary of an under-documented era of modern architecture, one with a crucially democratic agenda. $9.99. The book itself represents the case study ethic--great design at a price VERY within reach.
   Not a difficult choice. Highly recommended.



2. This is visually interesting as well as informative. Those interested in mid-century architecture will enjoy this concise book.



3. Optimism is the prevailing theme of the Case Study Houses. The unerring faith that the future is the brightest it can possibly be. Each house profiled in this book shouts this theme loudly and proudly! Taschen has put together a loving yet compact introduction to the Case Study Houses. If you love architecture, design or mid-century modern style, this book is a must have for your collection.



4. Be aware that the edition that Cohen is describing in the critic's review @ the top of the page is a previous edition. This new revised copy is not nearly 400 and some pages at all, coming in @ just under 100. Recently, I found this available @ my local Barnes & Noble(if I had seen it sooner, I definitely would not have purchased this). There is very little about each of the case study homes-with literally next to nothing on a few of these. Those that get the most attention receive a couple black and white, sometimes color, photos-often only a 5 inch photo. There is a decent paragraph on each of these-but that is it as far as information goes. I would highly suggest the volume 'Contemporary' by Leslie Jackson for a much more detailed bio on the case studies-as well as this period of design in itself. That book has 100s of photos, often black and white, but, for the most part, those that are in color here are also in that book. Not to mention the photos in Jackson's book are commonly much larger, as is the book itself. Most the pictures in Jackson's reference take up a good amount of the page, as well. The description and time given these houses in Jackson's book is much fuller and well rounded. That is just simply the real book to get here, also including some design in fabric, furniture, and glass of the time. However, it is mainly on the design of the rooms of the midcentury-modern abode, most pics being the case studies. Also, for a companion piece, pickup Taschen's 'Decorative Art-the 60s'. That one IS the common Taschen reference size, coming in @ nearly 600 pages!!! It includes hundreds of photos, mainly black and white, on the room designs of the midcentury home(the real innovations in these houses came out of the later 50s-early 60s, anyway). There are also sections on the furniture(again with pics detailing the room designs), fabrics & textiles(includes wallpaper), glass, lighting, ceramics, and silver/tableware-all with very helpfull info for collectors. However, it is the room designs found under the architecture and furniture sections that I believe really make this one. That one is simply a MUST for anyone interested in design from late 50s-early 60s, with a much fairer pricing, as Jackson's 'Contemporary'.



5. I ordered this October 1 as a gift and to date delivery date has been moved twice. It has been 6 weeks and amazon has just moved the delivery date another two weeks. If you can't deliver, then please remove this item from your list.