Mid-Century Gothic defines a distinct post-war literary and cultural moment in Britain, lasting ten years from 1945-55. This was a decade haunted by the trauma of fascism and war, but equally uneasy about the new norms of peacetime and the resurgence of commodity culture. As old assumptions about the primacy of the human subject became increasingly uneasy, culture answered with gothic narratives that reflected two troubling qualities of the new objects of modernity: their uncannily autonomous agency, and their disquieting intimacy with the reified human body. The book offers fresh readings of novels, plays, essays and films of the period, unearthing neglected texts as well as reassessing canonical works. By bringing these into dialogue with the mid-century architecture, exhibitions and material culture, it provides a new perspective on a notoriously neglected historical moment and challenges previous accounts of the supposed timidity of post-war culture. -- .

Requiring minimal equipment--just scissors, glue, paper, and pens--collage is an accessible craft that offers limitless creative possibilities. Like meditation or journaling, making collage can be an avenue for self-reflection and artistic exploration. In Collage Your Life, artist and teacher Melanie Mowinski teaches a variety of core techniques including lettering, stamping, stenciling, transfers, and adhesive methods, and provides dozens of prompts to jumpstart the creative process and encourage crafters to explore the versatility of collage, such as: make a self-portrait; disrupt your routine instincts; incorporate text; assemble mementos from a trip; process anger or anxiety; collage with others; or try creating block-out poetry with pages from a magazine. Inspiring examples of the author's work along with that of other collage artists are featured throughout. Crafters, journaling fans, scrapbookers, and artists alike will find guidance and support for developing their own distinctive collage style, whether the goal is to create a visual record of daily experiences and special occasions or to expand a creative journaling practice.

Graffiti and street art images are ubiquitous, and they enjoy a very special place in collective imaginary due to their ambiguous nature. Sometimes enigmatic in meaning, often stylistically crude and aesthetically aggressive, yet always visually arresting, they fill our field of vision with texts and images that no one can escape. As they take place on surfaces and travel through various channels, they provide viewers an entry point to the subtext of the cities we live in, while questioning how we read, write and represent them. This book is structured around these three distinct, albeit by definition interwoven, key frames. The contributors of this volume critically investigate underexplored urban contexts in which graffiti and street art appear, shed light on previously unexamined aspects of these practices, and introduce innovative methodologies regarding the treatment of these images. Throughout, the focus is on the relationship of graffiti and street art with urban space, and the various manifestations of these idiosyncratic meetings. In this book, the emphasis is shifted from what the physical texts say to what these practices and their produced images do in different contexts. All chapters are original and come from experts in various fields, such as Architecture, Urban Studies, Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology and Visual Cultures, as well as scholars that transcend traditional disciplinary frameworks. This exciting new collection is essential reading for advanced undergraduates as well as postgraduates and academics interested in the subject matter. It is also accessible to a non-academic audience, such as art practitioners and policymakers alike, or anyone keen on deepening their knowledge on how graffiti and street art affect the ways urban environments are experienced, understood and envisioned.

An icon of 1980s New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) first made his name under the graffiti tag "SAMO," before establishing his studio practice and catapulting to fast fame at the age of 20. Although his career lasted barely a decade, he remains a cult figure of artistic social commentary, and a trailblazer in the mediation of graffiti and gallery art. Basquiat's work drew upon diverse sources and media to create an original and urgent artistic vocabulary, biting with critique against structures of power and racism. His practice merged abstraction and figuration, poetry and painting, while his influences spanned Greek, Roman, and African art, French poetry, jazz,and the work of artistic contemporaries such as Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly. The results are vivid, visceral mixtures of words, African emblems, cartoonish figures, daubs of bold color, and beyond. This book presents Basquiat's short but prolific career, his unique style, and his profound engagement with ever-relevant issues of integration and segregation, poverty and wealth. About the series Born back in 1985, the Basic Art Series has evolved into the best-selling art book collection ever published. Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Art series features: a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance a concise biography approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions

For most people the mention of graffiti conjures up notions of subversion, defacement, and underground culture. Yet, the term was coined by classical archaeologists excavating Pompeii in the 19th century and has been embraced by modern street culture: graffiti have been left on natural sites and public monuments for tens of thousands of years. They mark a position in time, a relation to space, and a territorial claim. They are also material displays of individual identity and social interaction. As an effective, socially accepted medium of self-definition, ancient graffiti may be compared to the modern use of social networks. This book shows that graffiti, a very ancient practice long hidden behind modern disapproval and street culture, have been integral to literacy and self-expression throughout history. Graffiti bear witness to social events and religious practices that are difficult to track in normative and official discourses. This book addresses graffiti practices, in cultures ranging from ancient China and Egypt through early modern Europe to modern Turkey, in illustrated short essays by specialists. It proposes a holistic approach to graffiti as a cultural practice that plays a key role in crucial aspects of human experience and how they can be understood.

This collection of original articles brings together for the first time the research on graffiti from a wide range of geographical and chronological contexts and shows how they are interpreted in various fields. Examples range as widely as medieval European cliff carvings to tags on New York subway cars to messages left in library bathrooms. In total, the authors legitimize the study of graffiti as a multidisciplinary pursuit that can produce useful knowledge of individuals, cultures, and nations. The chapters-represent 20 authors from six countries; -offer perspectives of disciplines as diverse as archaeology, history, art history, museum studies, and sociology;-elicit common themes of authority and its subversion, the identity work of subcultures and countercultures, and presentation of privilege and status.

Reflections on symbols and symbolic imagery
"The Book of Symbols" combines original and incisive essays about particular symbols with representative images from all parts of the world and all eras of history."The Book of Symbols" combines original and incisive essays about particular symbols with representative images from all parts of the world and all eras of history. The highly readable texts and almost 800 beautiful full-color images come together in a unique way to convey hidden dimensions of meaning. Each of the c. 350 essays examines a given symbol's psychic background, and how it evokes psychic processes and dynamics. Etymological roots, the play of opposites, paradox and shadow, the ways in which diverse cultures have engaged a symbolic image--all these factors are taken into consideration.
Authored by writers from the fields of psychology, religion, art, literature and comparative myth, the essays flow into each other in ways that mirror the psyche's unexpected convergences. There are no pat definitions of the kind
that tend to collapse a symbol; a still vital symbol remains partially unknown, compels our attention and unfolds in new meanings and manifestations over time. Rather than merely categorize, "The Book of Symbols" illuminates how to move from the visual experience of a symbolic image in art, religion, life, or dreams, to directly experiencing its personal and psychological resonance.
"The ""Book of Symbols" sets new standards for thoughtful exploration of symbols and their meanings, and will appeal to a wide range of readers: artists, designers, dreamers and dream interpreters, psychotherapists, self-helpers, gamers, comic book readers, religious and spiritual searchers, writers, students, and anyone curious about the power of archetypal images.

The legend of Jean-Michel Basquiat is as strong as ever. Synonymous with 1980s New York, the artist first appeared in the late 1970s under the tag SAMO, spraying caustic comments and fragmented poems on the walls of the city. He appeared as part of a thriving underground scene of visual arts and graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and DIY filmmaking, which met in a booming art world. As a painter with a strong personal voice, Basquiat soon broke into the established milieu, exhibiting in galleries around the world. Basquiat's expressive style was based on raw figures and integrated words and phrases. His work is inspired by a pantheon of luminaries from jazz, boxing, and basketball, with references to arcane history and the politics of street life-so when asked about his subject matter, Basquiat answered "royalty, heroism and the streets." In 1983 he started collaborating with the most famous of art stars, Andy Warhol, and in 1985 was on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. When Basquiat died at the age of 27, he had become one of the most successful artists of his time. First published in an XXL edition, this unprecedented insight into Basquiat's art is now available in a compact, accessible volume in celebration of TASCHEN's 40th anniversary. With pristine reproductions of his most seminal paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches, it offers vivid proximity to Basquiat's intricate marks and scribbled words, further illuminated by an introduction to the artist from editor Hans Werner Holzwarth, as well as an essay on his themes and artistic development from curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. Richly illustrated year-by-year chapter breaks follow the artist's life and quote from his own statements and contemporary reviews to provide both personal background and historical context. About the series TASCHEN is 40! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping bookworms around the world curate their own library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. Today we celebrate 40 years of incredible books by staying true to our company credo. The 40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program-now more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same commitment to impeccable production.

Claim the beauty of your unique, authentic expression.

Break free of your comfort zone, sharpen your senses to perceive the world around you and find happiness in play. On this painterly journey, Tracy Verdugo leads you from self-doubt to self-appreciation by helping you find your voice through a myriad of vibrantly-hued mark making, painting and self-reflection techniques. There are no mistakes here, only opportunities to learn and grow.

• Learn the language of your own sacred marks by painting with personal symbology.
• Discover the inspiration that exists around you, in your home, your community, the present moment.
• 19 step-by-step exercises use popular mixed media materials such as pastels, acrylic paints, inks and more!
• See how to use art making to plant creative seeds and cultivate your wildest dreams.

The more complex a human action is, the greater the need to formulate a plan of action, devise a method of implementation, and evaluate its execution. Such preparation is called design or planning, and can be defined as a conceptual preparation for action. Design and planning by themselves are so complex and important that they need informed preparation, which calls for systematic designological studies.

This volume brings together original contributions of researchers and practitioners in design theory, design research, and design studies. Its main purpose is to highlight the possibilities of the discipline of designology. Doing and thinking, or thinking and doing, whatever the order, are intertwined. That is why praxiology, the science of action, defines design as a conceptual preparation of action.

Included here are contributions from Jack Brzezinski, Eduardo Corte-Real, Nigel Cross, Michel Faucheux, Joelle Forest, Wojciech W. Gasparski, Ioannes B. Kapelouzos, Thorbjoern Mann, Tom Maver, Tarkko Oksala, Tufan Orel, Sevil Saryldz, and Ladislav Tondl. Designology is the latest volume in Transaction's highly regarded Praxiology series.

For many the smoke and mirrors which surround Banksy are as fascinating as the artwork of the 21st century's most important living artist. Banksy Myths Volume 2 takes the same approach as Vol 1. We collect the stories, the reader can judge for themselves.

A fascinating guide to decoding the secret language of the churches of England through the medieval carved markings and personal etchings found on our church walls from archaeologist Matthew Champion. 'Rare, lovely glimmers of everyday life in the Middle Ages.' -- The Sunday Times 'A fascinating and enjoyable read' -- ***** Reader review 'Superb' -- ***** Reader review 'Riveting' -- ***** Reader review 'Compelling, moving and fascinating' -- ***** Reader review ***************************************************************************************************** Our churches are full of hidden messages from years gone by and for centuries these carved writings and artworks have lain largely unnoticed. Having launched a nationwide survey to gather the best examples, archaeologist Matthew Champion shines a spotlight on a forgotten world of ships, prayers for good fortune, satirical cartoons, charms, curses, windmills, word puzzles, architectural plans and heraldic designs. Here are strange medieval beasts, knights battling unseen dragons, ships sailing across lime-washed oceans and demons who stalk the walls. Latin prayers for the dead jostle with medieval curses, builders' accounts and slanderous comments concerning a long-dead archdeacon. Strange and complex geometric designs, created to ward off the 'evil eye' and thwart the works of the devil, share church pillars with the heraldic shields of England's medieval nobility. Giving a voice to the secret graffiti artists of Medieval times, this engaging, enthralling and - at times - eye-opening book, with a glossary of key terms and a county-by-county directory of key churches, will put this often overlooked period in a whole new light.

Although Jim Jarmusch is best known for his storied career in independent cinema, over the years he has produced hundreds of pieces of collage art, the majority of which has been rarely seen by the public. Drawing inspiration from the largest medium of cultural documentation-newspapers-Jarmusch delicately crafts each work by layering newsprints on cardstock. These small-scale (notecard-size) pieces are often characterized by their tongue-in-cheek nature: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump's faces are affixed to nameless suits, two Andy Warhols are posed in a X-Files-esque tunnel, various musicians perform with ever-so-timely surgical masks. Collected here for the first time, [Untitled] showcases Jarmusch's profanely assembled vision.

A wholly immersive in-world take on the blockbuster Call of Duty (R) series. Acclaimed for its immersive gameplay and thrilling storylines, Call of Duty (R) has captivated millions of players worldwide since the release of its first game in 2003. Call of Duty (R): Field Manual is an engrossing collector's item for fans of the series. Presented as an official combat-issued handbook that has been misplaced by its owner, the book pairs stunning original illustrations with an engaging narrative that showcases the statistics and history of the essential units, vehicles, weapons, and battlegrounds.

A recognition of graffiti and street art by women from around the world. This book brings together the personal experiences, dreams, purposes, cultural tastes, struggles and samples of the work of more than 50 female graffiti artists, street artists and female muralists dedicated to reclaiming the public space and enriching our urban environments. This thoroughly illustrated book will inspire the reader to seek out street art in our cities, pointing towards a fairer world in terms of female equality within street art and graffiti. The book shows how these women fight to break free of the inequalities that linger in our society today and continue to affect women's status in many sectors, including art. PARTICIPANTS. Argentina: Agus Rucula, Hola Pum Pum, K2man, Milu Correch. Australia: Danielle Weber, Vexta. Belarus: Julia Yu Baba. Brazil: Magrela. Canada: Emily Read, Priscilla Yu. Chile: Anis88. Colombia: Ledania, Mugre Diamante. Equador: Mo Vasquez. France: Claire Prouvost, Emyart, Mademoiselle Kat, Wuna (+Canada), Zabou (+UK), Zoia. Finland: Camilla Siren, Anetta Lukjanova (+Spain). Germany: Minas. Italy: Alice Pasquini, Rame13, Vera Bugatti. Mexico: Lourdes Villagomez, Paola Delfin, Tahnee Flor, Triana Parera, Adry del Rocio, Alina Kiliwa, Alegria del Prado (+Spain:). Norway: Missprinted. Peru: Niz (+USA). Poland: Natalia Rak, Nespoon. Portugal: Tamara Alves. Spain: Btoy, Didi Leona, Elisa Capdevila, Julieta xlf, Lily Brik. The Netherlands: JDL. UK: Helen Bur, Rosie Woods (+Australia). USA: Emily Eldridge (+Germany), Kaz Williams/KAZILLA (Miami, FL), Kee Romano, Nico Cathcart (Richmond, VA), Toofly (+Equador). Venezuela: Sandra Betancort. AUTHOR: Diego Lopez has a degree in Documentation from the University of Valencia. He later furthered his training in the documentation centers of the Valencia Museum of Fine Arts and the newspaper Las Provincias. He has also contri-buted to such publications as Cultivar Salud and Hello Valencia and is a blogger on social networks with thousands of followers. Passionate about graffiti and street art, he is dedicated to delving into this fascinating world within cities and collecting photos of the works and pieces created on the street and meeting their creators. He has published a book on regional Spanish street art. SELLING POINTS: . The book honours the contribution to graffiti and street art by women around the world . More than 50 female graffiti artists, urban artists and muralists who contribute to creating an open-air art museum

Artistry with spray paint goes much deeper than what some would write off as vandalism. Modern spray paint artists use the medium in a myriad of inventive ways, see them in The Art of Spray Paint. With roots in graffiti and utilitarian projects, spray paint has come to the forefront of the art world, seen both on the streets and in museums across the globe. The Art of Spray Paint investigates the diverse artists who are thriving with the medium, from the evolution of graffiti by John "CRASH" Matos, to the photo-realistic stencils of Logan Hicks, or the precise lines and can control of Tristan Eaton. Zimmer provides a window into the world of 20 leading artists working with spray paint in diverse ways including graffiti, urban art, stencil, portraiture, crisp graphic work and mixed media. You'll also discover DIY projects and tricks of the trade, as well as a focus on the artist's role in society, the rise of mural festivals and its effects, and each artists' background and attraction to spray paint as a medium. Contributors include: CRASH, PichiAvo, BR163, Logan Hicks, Joe Iurato, Nick Walker, Caroline Caldwell, Casey Gray, Tristan Eaton, Matt Eaton, Hueman, Elle, Tatiana Suarez, Conor Harrington, Remi Rough, Will Hutnick, Rubin415, Rebecca Paul, Zac Braun, Ian Kuali'i, Ele Pack, and Dana Oldfather

A wave of protest is in the air and on the walls! A new generation of politicized artists, designers and communicators the world over are using stencil art as an accessible yet powerful means of giving voice to their ideas. The Stencil Graffiti Handbook sees Tristan Manco back on the streets. Through an incomparable network of street-art contacts, gained through over two decades of immersion in the scene, Manco has scoured the globe to find the most interesting street artists working today - those operating outside of the mainstream market of 'Urban Art' and beneath the radar of everyone but the true cognoscenti. Exploring the medium's applications within grassroots activism as well as the contemporary craft scene, Manco brings this thriving artform to light. Showing both process and results, The Stencil Graffiti Handbook dives into street art's essential elements - place, space, technique and subject - before taking to the streets to see how, where and why stencil graffiti is king. Also featuring studio visits with artists and practical, step-by-step guidance via artist-led projects, with specially commissioned instructional illustrations by the renowned Colombian collective Instituto Bogotano de Corte, The Stencil Graffiti Handbook is an unmissable education and inspiration for anyone with an open mind and a rebellious spirit.

Celebrate the history and explore the unique universe of tokidoki in this 400-page monographTokidoki, which translates to “sometimes” in Japanese, is an internationally recognized and iconic lifestyle brand based on the vision of Italian artist Simone Legno. Since debuting in 2005, tokidoki has amassed a cult-like following for its larger-than-life characters and has emerged as a sought-after global lifestyle brand. Tokidoki has managed to develop commercial public collaborations with brands and organizations like Sephora, Levi's, MLB, the San Francisco Giants, and T-Mobile, while also developing more artistic partnerships with Karl Lagerfeld and the Guggenheim museum, and crossovers with other iconic pop culture characters like Barbie, Hello Kitty, Marvel heroes, and Peanuts.

New York graffiti writers who cut their teeth painting trains in the '70s and '80s transfer Old Skool street art to a more permanent, collectible medium in this book, using transit maps, instead of subway cars, as canvases. GHOST, T-KID, QUIK, REVOLT, BLADE, SHAME125, COPE2, SKEME, and others decorated ordinary 23" x 32" MTA maps with their personal tags and graphics-echoing the heyday of New York train graffiti. Sixteen sections, one for each writer, feature a total of more than 100 maps, as well as brief statements about the painters' artistic evolution and style. Like a dynamic "piece book," or sketchbook, this collection is an exclusive sampling of the painters' signature strokes and tags in portable form. In fact, many of the artists featured here have used subway-map art as a springboard from the fleeting genre of train-tagging to the sturdier platform of the international art gallery circuit.

Popular artist Denyse Klette is back with another intricate, whimsical coloring book, Zendoodle Coloring Presents: Birds in the Forest. Let your imagination take flight in stunning color!

Delight in the fine art of coloring while you dance among flower-filled treetops with dozens of charismatic parrots, expressive owls, and colorful cockatoos. Imagine their cheerful chirps as you float along meandering rivers and nap on vine-wrapped branches with contented bears.

Lose yourself in the playful beauty of each hand-illustrated scene while you bring color and life to Birds in the Forest!

• Wander through a sanctuary of quirky birds with more than 60 enchanting illustrations
• Keep an eye out for mischievous friends from other coloring adventures
• Apply your artistic touch to each charming creature and peaceful scene