The Exquisite Book Tour
I have a lovely book to share with you this morning. Julie Rothman and Chronicle Books asked me to participate in a book tour and I couldn’t resist – I am a fan of Julia’s work and so naturally I’m happy to see her new title, The Exquisite Book, published by Chronicle. It is so stunning, interesting and altogether a fun book to add to your collection of fantastic art books. What I mean by “fun” is that it’s not your typical art book – the pages fold out for one and there’s not a lot of blah blah text — which is nice for a change — you are free to interpret as you please and simply sit back and enjoy the stunning visuals. What makes it so interesting to me, which will be explained more in detail below, is that the book is loosely based on a game started by Surrealists in the 20’s called the Exquisite Corpse.
Julia’s version of this game brings together 100 of today’s hottest indie illustrators, artists, designers and comic artists that so many of us know and love like Jill Bliss, Lisa Congdon, Camilla Engman, Matt Stephens, Susie Ghahremani, Irina Troitskaya, Mike Perry, Caitlin Keegan, Lab Partners, Betsy Walton and many more.
Now here is that detailed explanation of how the book works that I promised, “There are ten groups of ten artists participating in the process. Each artist is contributing one page to the book. The first artist was given a few words to inspire their drawing. Each of the following artists saw only the page that immediately precedes their own. Each artist is using images (and optionally, words) to create their continuation to the story, and the inspiration for the next artist in line. Besides continuing the story of the last artist, there is another, more visual, connection between the pages. Each artist has a horizon line in their image that starts on the left side of the page and ends on the right. Where the horizon line of the first artist’s page ends, is where it begins for the next artist. (The horizon line part has been very loose and it has been exciting to see how everyone interprets it.)”
If you think it sounds cool, well I own the book (thanks, Julia!) and well, it IS cool. I spent at least an hour looking through it and trying REALLY HARD to not remove the gorgeous pages and frame them – ha ha – the amazing work oozes from this book is positively awesome. Thankfully, Julia told me a few days ago that they’ve set up a shop where the art from the book is being sold as prints – yay! You can buy whatever you see in the book that tickles your fancy right here.
You can also watch a video about The Exquisite Book here or purchase a copy for yourself here on the Chronicle website — PROMO OFFER: Get 25% off AND free shipping (in the U.S.) with Promo Code EXQ if you buy from Chronicle Books directly. Weeeee!
Congrats Julia and to your co-authors Jenny Volvovski,, Matt Lamothe, Dave Eggers! Way to go and much success to you all — this book is a job well done!
(images: the exquisite book)
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October 29th, 2010 at 11:30am
How gorgeous are the owls peeping out from behind the trees! The concept of the book is so original :-)
Jem´s last [type] ..Silver Victorian Locket
October 29th, 2010 at 12:17pm
Oh Holly this book is exquisite! It features many of my favorite artists all wrapped up in a lovely package. The discount is just icing on an already lovely cupcake. Thanks so much for sharing! :)
October 29th, 2010 at 12:44pm
Oh wow, what a gorgeous book…a must to add to my Santa list…for me :-) !
Delicious pictures, as always! Thank you!!
Emily@theNest´s last [type] ..Saturdays On The Ranch
October 29th, 2010 at 1:00pm
Divine book!!!!
karina´s last [type] ..In my garden
October 29th, 2010 at 2:20pm
Love it – bought it straight away :-)
Suzette´s last [type] ..Et plaster på det sorte sår
October 29th, 2010 at 3:19pm
So colorful and fun! I love it ~~
laura trevey´s last [type] ..Beautiful Living – Favorite Cozy Spot
October 29th, 2010 at 4:04pm
what an effort and well worth the work … a major production of paper and print … and the music is in the fold out and turn of each page.
Sonya McCllough´s last [type] ..I AM one
October 29th, 2010 at 5:32pm
Wow. Very pretty!
October 29th, 2010 at 6:23pm
what a fabulous idea! Just ordered it as an early xmas present to myself :) Can’t wait to go through it and be inspired!!!
October 30th, 2010 at 2:12am
Great concept and amazing images, as always! The quality looks real nice too! Will there be more? Seems worth collecting :)
handmadesunday´s last [type] ..Flamboyance in detail
October 30th, 2010 at 3:43am
I loved this book.
I play this game with my 2 kids when we travel and spend hours at the airport and airplanes. One starts a drawing and the other add something and we keep going on until there’s no more to be added. Always ends in a very surprisingly way.
October 30th, 2010 at 8:17am
Lovely book! I want to buy it right now and add it to my artbook collection! :D
Manuela De Simone´s last [type] ..Decor8 Calendar 2011 Feature
October 30th, 2010 at 4:23pm
I have always loved the concept of The Exquisite Corpse and this is such a fascinating way to present it. I am off to Chronicle to buy one now. Thanks for the heads up!!
Seth´s last [type] ..Audience Participation
October 31st, 2010 at 4:21am
Beautiful arts! I want to frame it on a canvas :) Great Christmas gift idea as well.
November 1st, 2010 at 8:53pm
wow dis is so gorgeoud.. what amazing eye candy
hena tayeb´s last [type] ..Its been 122 days and counting
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:11pm
I love this (and already ordered a copy)! We used to do something like this in art school when I studied printmaking. Those collections are some of my most treasured books.
February 20th, 2011 at 8:03am
LOVE this book. Just got it. brilliant.