As temperatures drop and clouds cover our horizon each morning, there’s nothing better than curling up under your duvet to enjoy a good book. From the sulphurous photographs of Andy Warhol to the memoirs of Sally Mann, including an exploration of stupidity in contemporary art, Number remember which art Books to leaf through this winter.
The sulfurous photographs of Andy Warhol
Although he is one of the most emblematic figures in the history of art, certain aspects of Andy Warhol’s work still remain very mysterious. Like his representations and photographs of the male body, laid bare in erotic and sulphurous scenes. Banned and considered “pornographic” during his lifetime, these photos during the lifetime of the father of pop art are revealed today in a magnificent work published by Prestel editions.
“Andy Warhol, Velvet Rage and Beauty“, éditions Prestel.
Stupidity, motive of contemporary artistic creation?
What do the artists of Panchounette presenceJeff Koons, le film Alert to Malibuthe philosopher Theodor W. Adorno and the studios Walt Disney ? A certain taste for… stupidity. In a work combining cultural history and aesthetic theory, Morgan Labardirector of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, analyzes the appearance and progressive importance of the figure of the “stupid” adolescent, outside of any social responsibility, in artistic practices since the end of the 80s. To the point that it becomes a real motif of contemporary creation.
“The Glory of Stupidity” by Morgan Labar, Editions Presses du Réel.
The most beautiful (and complete) monograph on Hokusai
For more than two centuries, the prints and paintings ofHokusai fascinate art lovers and neophytes alike from around the world. Colorful female portraits, eventful landscapes, representations of traditional Japan from the end of the 18th century… So many images brought together by the editions Bags within a sublime (and imposing) monograph of 722 pages – the most complete ever published – on the Japanese painter and engraver, who still today, nourishes the collections of the greatest museums and still figures among the inspirations of many artists contemporaries.
“Hokusai”, éditions Taschen.
Diving into the underbelly of advertising with Rémi Babinet
In 1994, Rémi Babinet founded BETC, which has since established itself as the most creative advertising agency in the world (according to the WARC 2024 ranking). Between a logbook and memoirs, this work immerses its readers in the thoughts of the entrepreneur through the biggest campaigns he imagined, where artistic, photographic, cinematic and even musical references collide. A fascinating book – even for readers not very attracted to the world of advertising – which reveals the underside of the images flooding our daily lives for three decades.
“No advertising, thank you” by Rémi Babinet, JBE Books editions.
The Memoirs of Sally Mann
Capturing since its beginnings moments of family life through photos haunted by desire, death and the traditions of the South of the United States, Sally Mann established herself among the most influential American photographers of the second half of the 20th century. As an investigation into her origins and those of her artistic practice, her work takes the form of memoirs where stories from her childhood intersect with images of the landscapes that saw her grow up, that shaped the artist – and the woman – that she has become.
“Hold Still, A Memoir with Photographs” de Sally Mann, éditions Penguin Books.
The disturbing world of HR Giger condensed into a beautiful book
As powerful and disturbing as the works ofHans Ruedi Gigeraka HR Giger, the latest magnum opus from Taschen editions plunges us into the world of the Swiss artist, who died in 2014. Page after page, his paintings intersect his sculptures and his cinematographic works, drawing the thread of his “biomechanical” vision ” art punctuated with phantasmagorical visions and hybrid materials, and complemented by a detailed biography illuminating some of his most obscure thoughts…
“HR Giger”, éditions Taschen.
