Un Art de la fugue, réflexion du célèbre graphiste sur les principes du métier, évocation des grands moments de l'édition française depuis les années soixante.

Book-Art showcases an international collection of exemplary and innovative book designs.From mass-market publications to glossy coffee table and exclusive artist's books, Book-Art explores both the creative inspiration and the logistics behind the work

"Les lettres ont d'abord été des images.Comme on le sait, le mot "alphabet" a été formé à partir des lettres aleph et beth, qui représentent respectivement, dans leur graphie ancienne, une tête de taureau (à l'envers) et une maison, dont le tracé emprunte à un hiéroglyphe égyptien où l'on peut reconnaître notre b couché.Or, à toutes les époques, se révèle le souci constant - secret ou avoué - de rechercher dans le dessin des lettres cette figuration perdue. Et tout se passe comme si les utilisateurs de l'alphabet latin (qu'il s'agisse de poètes, de calligraphes ou de peintres, mais aussi de pédagogues, d'enfants ou de sociologues) refusaient la sécheresse géométrique de son tracé, comme s'ils s'efforçaient de retourner instinctivement aux enfances de l'écriture et de redécouvrir, enfouis sous les sédiments laissés par des millénaires de civilisation, les mots-images, les dessins parlants, les signes-choses, les "paroles peintes" des écritures premières. [...]Notre propos aura donc été de prendre en compte cette pérennité à travers le temps et l'espace, à l'aide d'enjambements parfois audacieux et de rapprochements imprévus. [...]De cette démarche (qui paraîtra à certains singulière), on ne trouvera pas mention dans les dictionnaires et les encyclopédies, non plus (sinon très fragmentairement) dans les histoires de l'art et de la communication. C'est cette lacune que vient combler ce livre, en proposant une somme encyclopédique qui nous offre de cette conception animiste du monde des exemples savoureux et ludiques."Massin.

This succinct catalogue features wonderful cover and interior spread reproductions of a selection of the most important and influential artist's books of the twentieth century. Beginning with Stéphane Mallarmé's 1914 Un Coup de Dés Jamais N'Abolira le Hasard, now yellowed and slightly frayed around the edges, it includes works by Kokoschka, Kandinsky, Marinetti and other Futurists, Constructivists like El Lissitzky and such Dadaists as Schwitters, Tzara, Ernst and Duchamp. Photo experimentation by Maholy-Nagy is followed by Matisse's Jazz. There are Fluxus books by aa.vv., Daniel Spoerri and George Maciunas, mid-60s offerings by Ettore Sottsass, Dieter Roth and Andy Warhol, and Minimalist and Conceptual works by Carl Andre, Lawrence Weiner, Allan Kaprow, Vito Acconci and Bruce Nauman, followed by Arte Povera books and others from the 80s and 90s. Includes a gem-like illustrated bibliographies for all genres of artist's books, from the Futurists to books on typography.

New Book Design showcases the most interesting, influential, and accomplished book designs from the last ten years.It features over 100 titles published around the world, each chosen for their outstanding design qualities, from the publications of large mainstream publishers to those of small independent companies -- and even those from individual artists. Included in its pages are lavishly produced books with unconventional formats and unusual print techniques as well as less flamboyant publications produced for various different markets. A wide variety of books are featured, from paperback novels to architectural monographs, from text-based to profusely-illustrated books.

Divided into four main sections -- "Packaging," "Navigation," "Layout," and "Specification" -- the book examines each facet of book design: cover design; contents and structure; image usage; grids; typography; paper; printing; and binding. Clear photography captures each featured book, and interviews with prominent book designers, art directors, and publishers provide extra insight.

New Book Design is sure to provide a rich source of inspiration to book designers and bibliophiles alike.

In this revealing and highly entertaining look at the great book jackets of the 20th century from around the world, author Alan Powers tells the story of the book jacket from its early days, via the advent of the paperback, to the most eye-catching covers produced today. With over 300 illustrations, including first editions by famous artists, jackets by key designers and artists, groundbreaking series from major publishing houses, and classic pulp-fiction jackets, this unique and fascinating insight into the world of the front cover will appeal to anyone with a passion for books and graphic design.