As the days get shorter and colder, there’s no better time than now to escape that gloomy autumn mood and cozy up with the perfect book. We’ve compiled a list of this year’s best releases, out now and ready to help you cope with winter’s serious lack of sunshine.
1. Rave: Rave and its influence on Art and Culture
Edited by Nav Haq | Black Dog Publishing
“RAVE” is one of the first publications to critically engage with the historical rave movement that emerged in Europe after the industrial revolution. Exploring the period that transformed the way we party from the 1980s and 1990s until today, the book analyses the social, political and economic conditions that led to the growth of the dance boom in relation to contemporary art and visual culture. Combining texts by Mark Fisher and Kodwo Eshun, interviews with designers and producers as well as work from various artists such as Rineke Dijkstra, Aleksandra Domanovic and Daniel Pflumm combine for a celebration of rave culture’s expansive influences.
2. The New Curator
By Natasha Hoare, Coline Milliard, Rafal Niemojewski, Ben Borthwick and Jonathan Watkins | Laurence King Publishing
With the growth of social media and the internet, the role of curators has become a bit of a blur. This book gives an insight into the complexity and richness of curating, with special emphasis on prominent exhibitions including the “Ghetto Biennale” in Haiti and digital artworks by Amalia Web. Each of the 25 highly detailed case studies consists of an interview with the curator and the story of show-making.
3. Undercover
By Jun Takahashi | Rizzoli
“Undercover” is the first book to focus on the work of Jun Takahashi, the iconic Japanese designer who stands behind streetwear brand UNDERCOVER. The publication provides a comprehensive look at Takahashi’s fashion endeavours through sketches, graphics, photographs and his most innovative designs to date. Tracing the whole story behind one of the most fascinating and multi-faced contemporary brands, “Undercover” begins with the opening of the brand’s first Harajuku store to collaborations with brands such as Comme de Garcons.
4. Gus Van Sant: Icons
By Matthieu Orléans | Actes Stud
This book pays tribute to the cinematographic work of Gus Van Sant, the cult director responsible for classics like Milk, Drugstore and Elephant among others. “Icons” explores the entire scope of Vans Sant’s cinematographic work through photographs, essays, sketches, polaroids, paintings and analyses. It also features an unpublished interview with the filmmaker conducted in Portland in June 2015, in which he discusses his inspirations that include visual artists like William Burroughs, William Eggleston and Harmony Korine. It’s a beautifully printed album that offers a comprehensive insight into the Kentucky director’s creative process.
5. The House of Beauty and culture
By Kasia Maciejowska | ROMA
This beautiful book dedicates its pages to the legacy of London’s little-known studio and shop House of Beauty and Culture, an avant-garde boutique and craft studio from the late 1980s. A true representation of the underground, the boutique’s crew consisted of trendy alt figures like Judy Blame, John Moore and Cindy Palmano. The shop grew in popularity for its signature up-cycle approach, grunge aesthetics and punk criticism of mass culture. Through interviews, essays and countless photographs, Maciejowska honours House of Beauty and Culture’s wide and important influence.