Beyond the Beyond: Music From the Films of David Lynch, Hat & Beard Press, 45 USD
David Lynch is arguably one of the greatest auteurs of the modern age, but the prolific artist and director is also renowned for another medium—music. Whether it's the moody jazz of Twin Peaks or the sensual melodies of Blue Velvet, Lynch's strategic score and soundtrack choices are as synonymous with his work as the narratives themselves. This limited edition book explores the vast history of Lynch's music while featuring interviews with many Lynch-affiliated musicians, such as Angelo Badalamenti, The Flaming Lips. Zola Jesus, and Sky Ferreira. Each of these artists performed at the Ace Hotel's 2015 benefit for the David Lynch Foundation and in the spirit of expanding musical horizons, a companion CD of those live performances is included with the text.
John Cohen: Cheap Rents... and de Kooning, Steidl. 29.95 USD
If you've ever asked yourself what it must've been like for artists to roam the streets of New York in the 1950s and 1960s, this small volume offers valued insight. Through the apt lens of photographer and musicologist John Cohen, it revisits the downtown art scene during that time and explores what was once considered the epicenter of the art world: the infamous 10th Street galleries. Everyone from the abstract expressionists to pop artists and beat writers would come together and frequent the artist haunts in that area, inhabiting everywhere from run-down pubs to packed galleries. These are perhaps the richest and most intimate portraits of this unique era in recent memory-including, of course, de Kooning.
Tomasz Gudzowaty: Closer, Steidl, 95 USD
Instead of booking a round-trip flight to the polar ice caps or sub-Saharan Africa, give your bank account a rest and flip through Tomasz Gudzowaty's sublime collection of wildlife photography. The Polish documentary photographer has traveled all over the world to capture animals in their natural habitats and has amassed thousands of images of elephants, penguins, lions, cheetahs, and other species. While Gudzowaty's black-and-white photographs are characterized by their technical and aesthetic sophistication—focusing on both the animals' general patterns and minute details—you may find yourself oohhhing and ahhhing over the cute baby penguins and cubs, to boot.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen & Yayoi Kusama, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 45 USD
One can never watch Disney's classic The Little Mermaid too many times, but if you're seeking a grittier or more artistic version of the tale, look no further than this edition. This volume pairs Hans Christian Andersen's haunting original fairy tale (released in 1837) with undulating line drawings from Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama's "Love Forever" series. The resulting aesthetic benefits both parties: Anderson's story is enhanced by Kusama's unique landscapes and Kusama's visuals are given new life within the narrative context. A harmonious collaboration, indeed.
COBRA: A History of a European Avant-Garde Movement, Nai010 Publishers, 80 USD
Despite operating for little more than a three-year period—from 1948 to 1951—the transnational postwar artist group COBRA caused quite a revolution in the modern art community. Consisting of artists such as Asger Jorn, Pierre Alechinsky, and Karel Appel, COBRA addressed the importance of unbridled creative freedom, raw experimentation, and social engagement, eschewing the popular genres of naturalism and abstraction during a time for pure expressionism. This comprehensive volume richly explores the entire history of the group, alternating between primary documents, original photographs, and interviews with key figures to tell its full history.
Radical Renaissance 60, Assouline. 125 USD
Renzo Rosso might not be a household name, but if you have any interest in alternative fashion, he's certainly someone to know. As the founder of Diesel and the current head of OTB (Only The Brave)—a luxury fashion group that encompasses Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Viktor & Rolf, Staff International, and Brave Kid—Rosso has been a key figure in the transformation of the international radical fashion scene since the late 1970s. This large volume vibrantly traces the evolution and history of Rosso and OTB, with particular attention paid to their respective far-reaching influences in the industry. Expect to be immersed in provocative runway shows and editorial campaigns that embody Rosso's mantra: "Only the brave, challenging the rules, fostering creativity."
