Chronicle Books
The art of Alex Gross; paintings and other works.
The art of Alex Gross, rife with anachronistic images, is influenced by 1930s militaristic Japan, Victorian etchings, and American advertising and sci-fi movies. In this first published collection of his works, over 100 full-page color plates display his contributions to Southern California's Lowbrow and "pop surrealism" movements in the form of screen prints, paintings, etchings, drawings, and digital art. In his introduction, Wired Contributor Bruce Sterling best summarizes Gross's themes as the following: "globalization, cross-cultural impact, commerce, engineering, great beauty, dark mayhem, and the remorseless passage of time." This book also includes an interview with the artist. No index is provided. Oversize: 9.5x12 inches. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
At home on the prairie; the houses of Purcell & Elmslie.
William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie were among the architects who helped revolutionize residential design at the turn of the 20th century. This volume showcases a number of the homes custom designed by their firm and highlights the signature elements of their "Prairie" style. Color photographs accompany the text throughout. Legler is the author of several books on the Prairie School. Oversize: 9.75x11.25 inches. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
I will never forget you; Frida Kahlo & Nickolas Muray, unpublished photographs and letters.
Offering a surprisingly fresh perspective on the life and work of Frida Kahlo, this illustrated text chronicles Kahlo's collaboration with the portrait photographer Nickolas Muray. Grimberg, a historian and Kahlo specialist, provides a biography of Muray and a discussion of Muray and Kahlo's relationship. Grimberg includes an illustrated index of all existing Kahlo portrait photographs taken by Muray. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
L.A. lofts.
This volume shows 20 homes in the diverse L.A. loft style, with descriptions by Thornburg and photographs by Vorillon. Types shown are traditional open-plan, demi-lofts, and new luxury lofts mostly in the downtown area, with some in West Hollywood and Venice. The lofts are in art deco, dojo, country, modern, urban, Zen, and other styles and display interiors with explanations of their décor, layout, and how owners remodeled and designed them. The book measures 10.5x12.5 inches. There is no index. Thornburg is senior editor for home design for the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Love hotels; the hidden fantasy rooms of Japan.
"Love" is a euphemism in this case for sex, as Keasler's photos of fantasy-themed rooms in the so-called love hotels show, and, to judge by the presence of shackles attached to beds, showers, and walls, S/M is popular fare for the rate-payers. Oversize format: 11.25x11.25 inches. Keasler is a photographer based in Texas. An essay on Japanese sexual mores is provided by Natsuo Kirino, a writer in Tokyo. Not indexed. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
ˇMas! Cine mexicano more!; sensational Mexican movie posters, 1957-1990.
Divided into categories, this reference reprints 250 color movie posters, primarily hand-drawn, featuring images of smuggling and betrayal, crime, youth rebellion, prostitutes, macho men, comedy, monsters, wrestlers, and hicks. The introduction and movie titles are provided in both English and Spanish. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Observations in an occupied wilderness; photographs.
In each of Falke's 71 photographs of the dramatic landscape of the American Southwest displayed here, at least one manmade object is part of the view. Construction at a Utah reservoir, an evaporating California pond, Texan tornado ruins, and a Nevada tree covered in shoes, are all used in full-size color plates to observe mankind's engagement with nature and detachment from it. Two essays on the photographer and his subjects are included. No index is provided. Oversize: 12x10 inches. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
