Louise Bourgeois: Structures of Existence: The Cells, Prestel, 65 USD
Cells is a series of mixed media installations created by the influential French-American artist and sculptor Louise Bourgeois. Made between the late 1980s and early 1990s, the provocative and bold works typically followed the same format—either a small salvaged-metal enclosure or room is filled with an array of miscellaneous objects. These objects ranged from sculptural forms Bourgeois created specifically for Cells, randomly found items, or personal artifacts that held a symbolic or personal meaning. This volume focuses on the history of the visually penetrating series and how it relates back to Bourgeois' recurrent themes of disintegration, voyeurism, and loneliness.
In the Shadow a Shadow: The Work of Joan Jonas, Gregory R. Miller & Co., 85 USD
There's little more to say about Joan Jonas that isn't already known in the art world. One of the most prolific female artists of the past century, she originally began her career as a sculptor before emerging as a pioneer of video, performance, and installation art, with projects paving the way for multimedia art as we know it. As the first official career-spanning monograph of Jonas' work, hundreds of photographs, drawings, writings, and scripts—some previously unpublished—are used to extensively illustrate her life's work.
Damien Hirst: The Complete Psalm Paintings, Other Criteria, 120 USD
Associated with the Young British Artists movement, Damien Hirst is one of the most well-known living artists in the world. Most people commonly recognize him for his groundbreaking tiger shark-in-formaldehyde artwork The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, but his oeuvre spans much further. For instance, this monograph provides a comprehensive survey of the artist's kaleidoscopic Psalm paintings. Featuring more than 150 images, these works consist of iridescent butterfly wings and paint on canvas that create an aesthetic reminiscent of Gothic stained glass windows. Juxtaposed next to Old Testament prayers, the themes of beauty, belief, life, and death are critically explored.
James Irvine, Phaidon, 79.99 USD
Despite his premature death in 2013, the London-born, Milan-based designer James Irvine's legacy continues. His simple and functional furniture-be it chairs, tables, or shelves-were consistently lauded for their innovativeness and elegance, as well as practicality. Serving as the definitive monograph of his work, vibrant photographs are juxtaposed next to never-before-seen drawings, sketches, and models that provide insight into Irvine's inspirations and eccentricities.
Outdoor Art, Prestel, 60 USD
Expanding beyond the constraints of a museum or an indoor exhibition space, some artists are slowly beginning to favor sculpture parks and nature as places to display their works. This book offers a glimpse into 25 distinctive and transformative outdoor art parks, including the now-deceased surrealist Edward James' sculpture garden in Mexico, Anish Kapoor's enigmatic steel tube at a New Zealand farm, and Anselm Kiefer's picturesque studio in the French countryside. Some of these spaces were never even open to the public.
Place Vendôme, Assouline, 85 USD
What do Coco Chanel, Princess Diana, and Ernest Hemingway have in common? They all frequented and romanticized the famed Place Vendôme in Paris. Located in the first arrondissement, the Place Vendôme is often regarded as the capital city’s most beautiful square. Adorned with glamorous hotels and an epicenter for all things fashion, jewelry, finance, and art, the square is distinctively characterized by its elegant Corinthian pilasters and tall bronze column. This volume traces its unique history, beginning with the reign of Louis XIV and ending with its current chic aesthetic.
