Today we celebrate the World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day, or International Day of the Book, an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright across the world. World Book Day has been celebrated continuously since 23rd April 1995, a date chosen in honor of the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.
Numerous events are held, ranging from charity fundraisers to festivals and exhibitions, all with the same, common goal of encouraging reading and the enjoyment of literature, while championing creativity, diversity and equal access to knowledge. To celebrate this special day, we gathered together our favorite books of the moment, from various themes and categories – each intriguing and beautiful in their own way.
(1.) Peter Doig – Drawings, sketches, stencils, collages, the works reproduced in this artist’s book offer a glimpse into Peter Doig’s process. While composing his paintings, thoughts and ideas are assembled through a myriad of preparatory materials; compositions are configured and reconfigured. With the work on view at the Secession, Doig continues to explore recurring motifs in his recent work: bathers, lions, and music, all with nods to the social and cultural landscape that surrounds him in Trinidad. Doig’s paintings are never premeditated and in the process of making he often works with the notion of resolution. The journey from nascent idea to completed work of art is one that haunts and perplexes. Every single book is handcrafted with a lamination binding. There are no single sheets, the sheets are all glued together and can be folded down. One sheet is glued to the bottom of the right side and folded down to the next sheet, a specular element making this book even more special. Printed on Munken Pure Rough 120 g/m2.
(2.) Talking Heads – Exploring the face and its expressions or rather the meanings ascribed to these expressions represents a fascinating adventure, one which can look back over a long history (in art). However, what the exhibition “Talking Heads” is concerned with is less engaging in one of those familiar (Western) narratives on the portrait and more focusing on the head as an independent aesthetic motif. The cover is laminated with Pretex, with a core of PERGRAPHICA® Classic Smooth
(3.) Berlin for Women only – The most popular metropolis in Europe, newly discovered for women. Art and music, fashion and lifestyle, markets and food, parties and festivals. This book is an innovative city guide for fashion- and style-conscious visitors and residents of Berlin. A well-researched and amusing user guide for women looking for something special. Printed on Munken Polar 120 g/m 2
(4.) Asado – Everyone gathers around the fire, grilling has always been an archaic affair. A crackling fire, comforting warmth, the smell of roasted. Asado is the South American way to grill over an open fire. Under the professional guidance of the grill world champion grilled on home-made Asado Cross and on the fire plate, smoked in the Dutch Oven, smoked in the stump and cooked in Erdloch: pork belly kissed by the flame, Old Cow Caveman-style, chicken from the brick, cranberry socks on the fire plate and much more. Printed on PERGRAPHICA®
(5.) Fifth Force, Jaroslav Kysa – Jaroslav Kyša (1981) an internationally exhibited artist reflecting on contemporary society through the use of multimedia. The book is a catalog to the vernissage which took place in Prague in Zahorian & Van Espen gallery. Kyša confronts the viewer with the laws of physics and the nature contemplating upon humanity and its geopolitical issues. In his works (anti-objects) Jaroslav Kyša is trying to reflect contemporary society and confront a viewer with constantly changing the present and our insecure future. Printed on Gmund Urban Cement Black (cover).
(6.) MENU, Design interior catalog – MENU believes in Connected Spaces. Spaces that unite our worlds through design – and make our transitions from one place to another seamless, interesting and enjoyable. In our rapidly changing landscape, the distinctions between home and work have blurred. The concept of Connected Spaces reflects this exciting shift, highlighting our opportunities to create human, multi-functional environments that serve our needs. Workplaces that make us feel right at home. Homes with all the comforts and refinements of boutique hotels. Cafés, shops, restaurants, and hotels that feel curated to our desires and aspirations. Printed on Gmund Urban Architect Grey 300 g/m 2
(7.) Pisma na kraju šume / Letters at the end of the forest – The first book in the newly opened edition was created in collaboration with the Jasna Jasna Žmak dramaturge and the animator Jelena Oroz. Letters at the end of the forest are a story of a group of forest animals that will show us why it is important that knowledge be and remain freely. Through the unusual approach to the letters, but also the whole language, the characters in this book remind us of the importance of friendship and collective action versus individualism that is so aggressively present in the modern world Printed on PERGRAPHICA® Highwhite Smooth 120 g/m2
(8.) Makers of Budapest – Like the majority of best things in life, this book was also born from friendship and dedication, with the intention of providing an overview of the varied and rich scene of contemporary craft designers in Budapest. Because no similar compilation has been published before, our book is a niche publication. Besides filling the gap, we also aimed at creating a living imprint of our times and drawing a creative map of Budapest. Beside the makers grouped by design fields, the shops and galleries are also listed where the objects presented in the previous pages are available, other than the designers’ own workshops. Printed on PERGRAPHICA® Classic Smooth 120, 300 g/m 2
(9.) The Package Design Book 5 – Year after year, the Pentawards set global quality standards by honoring the industry& most intelligent and innovative designs. With over 400 works from more than 40 countries, this fifth edition of The Package Design Book presents all the winners of the years 2017 and 2018 and shows what trends are driving the industry and how they are responding to new environmental and economic challenges and consumers & changing consumer behavior.