Apologies for mentioning the ‘C’ word, but… it’s that time of year! Are you thinking about getting that special someone something a bit different this year, but still stuck for ideas? Then have a look at this staff selected pick list detailing some of our best Christmas gift recommendations. You could also treat yourself… it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it?!
First up… Fashion – just a question of taste? Well, you can decide for yourself when you get your hands on this truly opulent volume, The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined. It’s the catalogue for Barbican’s blockbuster exhibition of the winter season. Featuring the infamous and celebrated work of numerous iconic fashion designers and their studios including Dior, Lacroix, Prada, Schiaparelli, Philip Treacy, Vuitton and Westwood. C’mon, you know this book will look great on someone’s coffee table!
Fancy admiring the ‘navigating of the fine line between beauty and kitsch’? Then this is definitely for you – a loose-leaf photography title, Flowers and Mushrooms. This artist’s book by renowned duo, Fischli/Weiss was first published in 1999 and was recently re-released for exhibitions at the Guggenheim, New York and Museu Jumex, Mexico City. The artists spent hours during 1997 and 1998 documenting gardens and mushroom patches, resulting in these luscious photos and superimposed images that just burst with colour. The first release of this title went out of print, so make this most of this second opportunity to obtain a copy – before it runs out again.
If it is something more theoretical that you are after, then how about purchasing a copy of You Are Here: Art After the Internet? The contributors explore the emergence of the internet’s effects on contemporary artistic practice. A few years old now, it is still considered both a ‘fascinating’ and ‘popular’ read. According to one reader this top selling title is ‘a book of ideas to tear through hungrily but to re-read slow’ (maybe when the Christmas hangover looms).
Always a favourite stocking filler is the Play Architecture pack of playing cards. One of our bestsellers, these never disappoint. The four different suits are represented by Pre-Modernism, Modernism, Post-Modernism and De-Structuralism and each card features a stylish picture of an international architect or one of their world-famous projects, plus some English text. They are both fun and informative – it’s a case of learn (or gloat about your extensive knowledge) whilst you play!
A more sumptuous Christmas purchase would be Victoria Miro’s 2016 publication on the works of Yayoi Kusama. Not only does it feature extensive photographs of this fascinating artist’s paintings, sculptures and installations, it also includes a selection of personal reflections – her own personal philosophies on life and art, plus commentary. This is a beautiful, lavish publication that would surely make an absolutely lovely gift for that someone special in your life.
For fans of the iconic British sculptor, Henry Moore: Selected Prints from the British Council Collection comes highly recommended. It’s a lovely set of large-format postcards (with accompanying booklet) which has been reassuringly popular since it was published. The postcard prints are so nice, you could even frame them and have your own mini Moore exhibition at home.
Of course, this festive time of year wouldn’t be complete without a decent cook book, would it? Mina Stone: Cooking for Artists comes at the top of our list – combining Stone’s delicious, traditional Greek family recipes with drawings and paintings (made ‘at the table’) by her high-profile artist friends, including Matthew Barney, Urs Fischer, and Elizabeth Peyton. This book itself is gorgeous and pristine in it’s design. Maybe your auntie would fancy a copy?
Our penultimate choice is AL and AL’s incredible book, Incidents of Travel in the Multiverse investigating a new era of scientific exploration as interpreted by these artists/filmmakers. Featuring exclusive texts by eminent American physicist Prof. Brian Greene; legendary graphic novelist Grant Morrison; and renowned author and mythographer Marina Warner. Including never seen before archival material, it brings the creative processes of AL and AL’s collaborative film-making to life – fascinating stuff! It was published to accompany an exhibition at HOME, Manchester earlier this year.
Finally, and not forgetting of course (especially for all those cat lovers out there), our ultimate Christmas recommendation is the truly marvelous jumping cats calendar, with each month featuring a different ‘furry jumper’ and a sage thought-of-the-month picture caption. This is an unusual calendar that is already ‘selling like hot cakes’ this season. With no specific printed calendar dates, it can be used year-in-and-year-out. It is already undergoing a reprint due to popular demand – those cats must be exhausted!
Whatever your plans this yuletide – have fun! Thank you all for your continued custom and support.
All best wishes from the Cornerhouse Publications team.
Picture credit: Becoming Wilderness XXII, 2014 (detail), Inka & Niclas Lindergard (from the book, The Belt of Venus and the Shadow of the Earth)