4 comments about Paint by Number: The How-To Craze that Swept the Nation.

1. William Bird Jr's Paint By Number traces the history of a movement which swept across the country and created many a budding novice artist. Chapters provide plenty of color photo examples of a changing industry which recognized an unfulfilled desire in the common man to be an artist. The gorgeous displays and ads for the medium are compelling, even for the non-artist reader.



2. Bird does a decent job summarizing this kitschy topic in a succinct manner. In a sense though the length of this book is its worst enemy. He could have either been even more brief and cut about 50% of it to focus on the main issues rather than repeating himself. Alternatively, he could have truly explored the characterization of the individuals behind the craze as well as probed the American psyche and increased the length by 50%. Straddling the middle, Paint By Numbers ends up being pleasant but vaguely dissatisfying.



3. This is a really neat-o! book.

   It's a short book, beautifully illustrated with paint-by-number paintings on almost every page (including paintings completed by J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Rockefeller, Ethel Merman, and others). There are also lots of photos of advertisements, packaging and promotional displays used to sell the kits. The author discusses Max Klein & Dan Robbins, the men who started the paint-by-number "craze", and some of the other artists who worked on the kits. Despite heavy criticism from the art community, the kits were enormously popular in many countries.

   I used to love doing these kits when I was a kid in the '60's and '70's. It may not be "art" but if nothing else I think people learn a little something about colors, shading and composition while working on these kits.




4. This is a beautifully-designed, lavishly illustrated, great-looking, smart book - every page a treat - that is part art book, part pop adventure story, part trenchant cultural history and analysis. Without the irony or condescension heretofore prevalent in discussions about the 1950s' remarkably popular and widespread middlebrow hobby of painting by number, William L. Bird, Jr., a curator at the Smithsonian, starts from the beginning and tells all.

   Leonardo da Vinci seems to have thought of it first, as a way to teach painting. In 1952 (after considerable work in the lab and at the drawing board) mass culture combined with smart American commercialism to sell eager Americans first, the rest of the world later - this surprisingly controversial and intensely pleasurable hobby: paint by number. The paintings and their deeply satisfying means of production were denigrated by cultural critics - and loved by millions of regular folks - and Andy Warhol, too.

   Students of popular and consumer culture and advertising, those curious about a popular phenomenon that provoked the critics of art and culture to attack relentlessly - or anyone interested in reading about the fun of these paintings and how they came to be - will love this perfect book. The author's mind is flexible and fertile; he takes us on a terrific tour. Clever and funny in places, with a bibliography hundreds of articles and books long. Great book.

1 comments about Birth and Present: A Studio Portait of Yoshitomo Nara.

1. Yoshitomo Nara is one of my favorite artists. He is also a giant in today's Art world. Although, shy and soft-spoken his work speaks large volumes. He rarely talks about what inspired his work, because he allows his fans to come to their own conclusions. He also is someone with integrity because he refuses to sell out by allowing big corporations to take control of his work. As a result, he is not as big as he could be.
   
   This book shows Mr. Nara in his Japan studio working on various art pieces. There are no words, just pictures of him working and concentrating. At the very end of the book, the author explains almost every picture to give you an understanding of what is going on. The book also explains Mr. Nara, a Japanese man, recently moved back to Japan and these pictures are some of the first pictures of him working in his native land.
   
   A good-looking man, Nara actually lives in his studio alone because it allows him to create his work in a large area. As most people know, the spaces in Japan are small but Nara is used to working in big spaces because he lived in Germany for over a decade. Therefore, he purchased a warehouse to work and live in. You have to feel sorry for him because the climate in the warehouse is not ideal for a human being and he has very basic living set ups (for example, a kitchen).
   
   I called this review, "A Silent Giant" because it fits Nara and this book.

4 comments about Architecture in the Twentieth Century.

1. The 1784--1916 part sums up 18th century highlights--focusing on geometry--and concentrates on high-rises of the Chicago School and iron and glass pavilions of Europe. The 1892-1925 part depicts the pre-Modernism directions: Nieuwe Kunst, Stile Liberty, Jugendstil, and Art Nouveau. Following three more parts present Modernism and Post-Modernism. A concise compendium of architect biographies ends the volume. Along with great 450 photographs and 150 drawings, Gössel and Leuthäuser provide an array of information and professional analysis in a concise, but fully adequate text.
   CONTENTS:
   * 1784--1916
   10 Prologue
   16 Of Iron Giants and Glass Virgins
   32 The Chicago School
   * 1892--1925
   42 L'Entree du Siècle
   66 In the Far Landscape
   78 Circle and Square
   90 The Modern Factory
   104 Creative in Concrete
   * 1912--1939
   118 The Return of Art
   136 Volumetric Experiments
   152 Housing Estates
   164 Machines for Living In
   174 The International Style
   204 The New Deal
   * 1944--1971
   216 Case Studies
   224 Less is More
   238 Stonebound
   248 The Flying Roof
   256 Concrete Containers
   * 1956--1990
   270 Learning from Las Vegas
   280 The Whites
   292 Work on Modernism
   306 The Rational South
   318 Open Structures
   338 The Post-Modern City
   350 Bellevue
   358 Concrete Poems
   372 Architecture for the Arts
   * 393 Biographies



2. First and foremost, this book is published by the German publishing company, Taschen. As a rule, if it is a Taschen architectural book it is going to be of very high quality and reasonably priced. This book proves the rule. It's a knock out.
   
   As the title would suggest, this book is a survey of architecutre in the Twentieth Century. It's focus is on the great buildings of Northern Europe and United States. It is a greatest hit collection of the century's most iconic buildings. The text is well written and is geared towards the general reading public. However, what makes it so great is page after page of beautiful photographs. The only thing to keep in mind, is that this book is republished every few years with a new cover. Highly recommended.



3. These two books (608 pages in total) are a reprint of the 1991 edition (ISBN 3822805505) which was a book of coffee-table proportions. Nicely though, they have been updated to include architecture up to 2004.
   
   The format is basically visual with long captions explaining various themes and I thought the coverage was rather impressive, for instance, there is a chapter called 'Bubbles' dealing with the work of Buckminster Fuller, Bruce Goff, John Lautner, Roger Dean and Staffan Berglund. Most of the photos in the second book, from the forties onwards, are in color and many buildings have their relevant floor plans too. The design and production is excellent, as one would expect from Taschen.
   
   The books could possibly be criticised for basically seeing a history of modern architecture from a European and North American perspective but I feel that these two books are to be considered in introduction to the subject and at the price quite a bargain. The ideal present for an architectural student or anyone who is just curious about why great modern buildings look the way they do.



4. As a layman in the area of architecture this book served as an excellent survey of the development of architecture over the last 100 years. The book explained the material in-depth without overwhelming those of us who did not revive a formal education in architecture. For example, the explanation of the gulf that existed between architects and engineers made the development of structures all the more riveting. History, and its effect on architecture is explained in great detail, from the need for housing in post-war Europe to the excesses of Art Deco in pre-crash America. The development of architecture in both Europe and North America is detailed and explained. A detailed view of Frank Lloyd Wright's presented in all its glory. The structures detailed in this book include: skyscrapers, apartment buildings, factory complexes, greenhouses, and single-family residences. All of these structures are illustrated with large photographs as well as detailed drawings. Another notable feature of this book is the explanatory notes included with each photograph. These notes allow the reader to thumb through the book without having to read all of the text to understand the importance of the structures depicted in the photographs. The book ends with 30 pages of biographies of the influential architects of the past 100 years. This allows the reader to begin to comprehend the time and effort these great men devoted to their craft. This book would serve well as either, a coffee-table book or a reference book for those readers seeking to expand their knowledge of this area. I would recommend this book for either purpose.

5 comments about Golf Course Architecture: Evolutions in Design, Construction, and Restoration Technology.

1. Starts off very well with the hope that it will get more technical but instead becomes more theoretical in areas such as aesthetics and fine art, areas which the author seems to not have a background in. ie, his discussion of perception, symmetry and balance etc. If you can skip the middle chapters its not bad but again I had hoped for more technical insights. Perhaps I needed a book on golf course construction. I just assumed from architecture courses that construction issues and recommendations as well as more detail of layout relative to game play would be discussed.



2. This is one of five best technical books I ever found. As a beginner in golf course design, I found in this book all I needed to realize my projects.



3. This is a fascinating book for any golf enthusiast or historian, as well as an essential practical resource for anyone actively involved in golf course design, construction and maintenance.

   The design process progresses from the green to the individual hole to the entire course. Detailed technical information is well integrated with aesthetic and theoretical concepts making the entire book interesting & readable.

   The book is packed with color photos of individual holes to illustrate design concepts, sites under construction and wonderful historical documents. The technical drawings & plans are well done and very useful.

   This book is a great example of making a technical manual a joy to read. Any golfer who appreciates the background of the course he or she is playing on will love it.




4. This book is filled with wonderful pictures from cover to cover. An incredible collection of the worlds most famous golf courses and designers.



5. Simply an outstanding look at the fascinating process of taking a piece of land and sculpting a chapmionship layout. A step-by-step process that details the many intricacies and disciplines involved in creating a golf course. Any golfer will more fully appreciate the not only what they see on a course, but also what they "don't" see. The photos and illustrations are plentiful and precise in leading one through each phase of construction. Must reading for an serious student of the game. Kevin Burke

5 comments about Bold Romantic Gardens: The New World Landscape of Oehme and Van Sweden.

1. This book is a poor value. The pictures are reasonably illustrative but not stunning. I also found the text to be less informative than I hoped. I am negative because of the high price; I expected better. This would be a great book at $50.



2. This is a great idea book- or lovely gift for a gardening friend. The illustrations are lovely. There are gardens from various climates, formal and informal- If you buy it for a gift, you may not want to give it up.



3. This book is a wonderful addition to any Landscape Architects shelf, the photographs emphasize the technique used by these two talented designers, and the pictorial key to their frequently used plant material acts as a springboard for your own interpretation on these very modern, yet naturalistic designs.



4. I am absolutely positive that you cannot go wrong with this book, or any other by these two incredible designers. With an emphasis on ornamental grasses and very "naturalistic" design styles that are beautiful year round, you'll have a hard time putting this one down. Photographs are absolutely beautiful!! You will definitely not be dissapointed!!!



5. The greatest gardening book ever written is back in print!Bold,Romantic Gardens is Wolfgang Oehme`s & James vanSweden`s manifesto to mankind.Within you`ll discover the most refreshing viewpoint and supporting design principals ever offered.No matter where, or in what style you garden no other book will provide as much inspiration and food for thought as Bold Romantic Gardens!

4 comments about Revisiting the Painted House: More Than 100 New Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration.

1. A good reference book that is nicely illustrated throughout. The subject matter of this book deals most specifically with one type of formal Trompe L'oeil & mural painting than the subject in general. As such, I found it to be less effective than anticipated where general ideas for mural work are concerned. I would have preferred a broader approach to the subject, than the specific murals of a very formal & palatial residence, which while beautiful to look at, is not the average palette for murals at large.



2. This book is a terrific idea generator and inspiring for the mural painter or for those who wish to commission a mural. Examples are plentiful and executed at a very high level using simple elements.



3. I was so wowed by Graham Rust's first two books, that I expected more from this one. Not so many projects in this book. However, I do love his sketches, and I appreciate the number of maquettes he included of designs he was *going* to paint, but didn't get to. In fact, I'd love to see a book of just his watercolor studies.



4. This is an invaluable resource for muralists and trompe l'oeil artists, as well as a beautiful coffee table book for people who appreciate the arts. It consists of 7 chapters featuring the murals of several different rooms of the house including staircases. All of the projects are new and not recycled from his previous releases. Unlike the other books by this artist this book features room shots of the drawing stage (before paint is applied), as well as a section which walks the reader through the steps of a mural panel from start to finish. There are also a few pages dedicated to working method and color choices. However, this book is primarily an idea book and not an instructional manual. The only thing I would like to see more of are photos of the finished murals rather than just the renderings in watercolor.
   This book is definately worth having as a part of your personal or professional library. Bravo!

1 comments about Furniture and Interiors of the 1960s.

1. During the 1960's there was an explosion in the creation of furnishings for the mass market especially items made from plastic. Anti-materialist youth consumers desired items that were expendable, impermanent, and fun. Furniture and Interiors of the 1960's is a colorful and exciting look at the creative endeavors of designers during this time.

   Not a punch list of must have pieces needed to attain a "look", Furniture and Interiors of the 1960's puts chairs, lighting fixtures, tables into historical context and fleshes them out with the ideas that surrounded their creation. The biggest names are included: Ray and Charles Eames, Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, and David Hicks. Happily, there is also a significant emphasis on lesser-known designers and their products from France, Italy, and Japan.

   Furniture and Interiors features more than 300 images, many in color, including: original photos, magazine layouts, catalogs, advertisements as well as contemporary photographs. The text is thoughtful, very informative and a pleasure to read. It also features a thorough index, well-identified photos, interesting captions, and designer bios.

   Time has passed and many throwaway items have attained the highest regard, and are now on display in major museums and sought after by collectors. This book too will withstand the test of time and I strongly recommend it and the other volumes available in this series.

1 comments about The Art of Landscape Painting.

1. Normally I shy away from how-to art books. They tend to rely too much on gimmicky techniques, and the art sometimes seems to lack sincerity. This book, however, is filled with images of Strisik's small, beautiful oils and informative insights into his methods.

   Strisik seems to prefer autumn and winter landscapes, but he travels extensively and captures scenes from around the world. There are many color plates that showcase his lovely muted-yet-rich palette. There are also many black-and-white photos, which is not a problem, since Strisik's tonal scale is so accomplished.

   There are demonstrations with the paintings depicted in various stages of completion. I found the comparisons of photos of the painter's on-site locations with the finished painting to be especially revealing.

   Strisik comes across as a master painter who is always searching, always striving, for the fullest expression of beauty in nature. Both serious and beginner landscape painters can benefit from this book.

No comments about Styles of Ornament: A collection of more than four thousand decorative and architectural designs.

5 comments about Creation in Space: Fundamentals of Architecture.

1. I'm a freak for how-to books and this one is awesome. Friedman's Creation in Space is lucid and elegant. An architect friend in LA showed me her copy and I had to have my own. What I found was an updated version (second edition), with better developed exercises and accompanying illustrations. This first rate 3-D primer is a step by step design program, complete with hard-to-find but essential essays that every designer needs to have read. If you are a wannabe artist, architect, or just curious, this one is for you.



2. In the second edition of Friedman's excellent architectural guide, the writer and editors collaborate to bring much needed updates to illustrations and examples. Used widely as an artistic introduction to architecture at many of nations best accredited architectural programs, this second edition sets the stage for an excellent educational program. This second example is much easier to follow with better examples and illustrations. This guidebook is a much have addition to anyone's collection. For established architects, to students, to enthusiasts - anyone can learn a great deal about interactions between void and mass and architectural program from this text.



3. In the second edition of Friedman's excellent architectural guide, the writer and editors collaborate to bring much needed updates to illustrations and examples. Used widely as an artistic introduction to architecture at many of nations best accredited architectural programs, this second edition sets the stage for an excellent educational program. This second example is much easier to follow with better examples and illustrations. This guidebook is a much have addition to anyone's collection. For established architects, to students, to enthusiasts - anyone can learn a great deal about interactions between void and mass and architectural program from this text.



4. In the second edition of Friedman's excellent architectural guide, the writer and editors collaborate to bring much needed updates to illustrations and examples. Used widely as an artistic introduction to architecture at many of nations best accredited architectural programs, this second edition sets the stage for an excellent educational program. This second example is much easier to follow with better examples and illustrations. This guidebook is a much have addition to anyone's collection. For established architects, to students, to enthusiasts - anyone can learn a great deal about interactions between void and mass and architectural program from this text.



5. In the second edition of Friedman's excellent architectural guide, the writer and editors collaborate to bring much needed updates to illustrations and examples. Used widely as an artistic introduction to architecture at many of nations best accredited architectural programs, this second edition sets the stage for an excellent educational program. This second example is much easier to follow with better examples and illustrations. This guidebook is a much have addition to anyone's collection. For established architects, to students, to enthusiasts - anyone can learn a great deal about interactions between void and mass and architectural program from this text.