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Soviet Space Dreams: Pioneers, Trailblazers and Eternal Optimists
During the Cold War, Soviet space magazines captured the imagination of a nation by celebrating the pioneers, heroes, and everyday citizens behind the USSR’s technological triumphs. Illustrated with surreal, vibrant artwork infused with Communist ideals, these publications showcased the boldest visions of space exploration and science, featuring talents like pilot-turned-illustrator Konstantin Artseulov, cosmonaut-artist Alexei Leonov, and sci-fi illustrator Andrei Sokolov. These magazines offered Soviet citizens a thrilling glimpse into boundless discovery and the power of scientific progress, embodying a spirit of optimism and national pride. Soviet Space Graphics: Cosmic Visions of the USSR reveals this fascinating artistic legacy, inviting readers to explore over 250 striking visuals that reflect the era’s cosmic ambitions and ideological drive.
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Soviet Space Dreams: ET and the USSR
Soviet Space Graphics: Cosmic Visions from the USSR showcases a captivating collection of illustrations commissioned for Soviet popular science magazines, blending real space achievements with imaginative sci-fi visions from the mid-to-late 20th century. The artwork reflects not only the scientific ambition of the Eastern Bloc but also draws on Russia's cultural heritage, as seen in early depictions of Martian explorers resembling tsarist figures. Later, more scientifically grounded pieces by artist-engineer N. Kolchitsky bring a detailed, realistic touch to alien worlds, merging art and technology. This vibrant visual journey reveals how Soviet artists envisioned the cosmos through a uniquely cultural and progressive lens.
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Soviet Space Dreams: Spreading Communism from the Moon
Once seen as a beacon of future progress, the Soviet Union set the pace in space exploration with groundbreaking firsts—from launching the first satellite and sending the first humans and animals into orbit, to pioneering spacewalks and interplanetary missions. Decades before the US Moon landing, visionary illustrations like B. Dashkov’s 1959 depiction of a lunar space station captured the Soviet ambition and imagination. Featured in the influential magazine Technology for the Youth, these stunning graphics blended scientific achievement with state ideology, charting a bold cosmic vision during the Cold War. Today, the legacy endures as Russia collaborates on cutting-edge lunar mapping projects, revealing that those early dreams might not have been so far-fetched after all.
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All you need to know about Soviet Space Graphics
Soviet Space Graphics: Cosmic Visions from the USSR offers a captivating glimpse into the rich visual and cultural history of the Soviet space era, revealing how the USSR not only pioneered many space milestones but also inspired a nationwide fascination with cosmic exploration. Through vibrant illustrations—from playful children’s comics depicting Sputnik’s components to striking artworks created by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov—the book showcases the blend of science, speculation, and propaganda that fueled public imagination during the Cold War. From visionary moon bases and futuristic flying cars to paranoid conspiracy themes, these striking images capture the hopes and fears of a bygone era, making the book a delightful tribute to a time when space was both a national ambition and a fantastical frontier.
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All you need to know about Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking
Annie Atkins’ new book, *Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking*, offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the art of creating cinematic graphic props. From the iconic Zoltar fortune-telling machine in *Big* to meticulously crafted documents in *The Grand Budapest Hotel* and *Bridge of Spies*, Atkins reveals the craftsmanship and storytelling power behind these often-overlooked movie details. Featuring hundreds of her creations alongside personal collections of vintage ephemera, the book delves into unique materials, aging techniques, and the challenges of period accuracy—like using professional calligraphers to simulate Tudor-era handwriting. A treasure trove for prop makers, graphic designers, and movie lovers alike, Atkins’ work transforms paper, stamps, and typewriters into magical props that bring film worlds vividly to life.
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Fabien Baron in 6 incredible photographs
Fabien Baron, renowned for his commercial design work, reveals a quieter, deeply personal side through his large-format seascape photography, a passion he's pursued for over four decades. While celebrated for his fashion campaigns and art direction, Baron has quietly captured the minimal beauty and energy of oceans, icebergs, and remote landscapes, using long exposures to meld sky and water into painterly visions. His dedication took him from the shores of the Hamptons to the icy expanses of Greenland, where a daring, flash-lit boat shoot, sponsored by Moncler, brought his visionary landscapes to life. This collection, spanning from 1982 to recent years, showcases a therapeutic journey back to his artistic origins, blending commercial success with intimate creativity in his new book, *Fabien Baron: Works 1983-2019*.
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The rise, fall and rise again of Finn Juhl
Finn Juhl was a pioneering force who helped shape Scandinavian Modernism into a warm, human-centered alternative to the cold monumentality of international Modernism. Celebrated for iconic designs like the Poet Sofa and Chieftain Chair, Juhl and his contemporaries crafted furniture and interiors that emphasized natural materials, organic forms, and social consciousness, making design that prioritized people’s needs over mere style. Though his work fell out of favor toward the end of his life, Juhl’s legacy has experienced a powerful renaissance, with his timeless pieces now hailed as classics that embody honesty, originality, and a deeply humane aesthetic. His story is a testament to the enduring impact of thoughtful, crafted design in the modern world.
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All you need to know about Finn Juhl: Life, Work, World
Finn Juhl was a pivotal figure in the rise of Danish modernism, shaping the iconic mid-century aesthetic that continues to influence interiors worldwide. Phaidon’s new book, Finn Juhl: Life, Work, World, offers the first comprehensive look at this celebrated designer, tracing his journey from a young art enthusiast to a global design pioneer. Showcasing his most beloved works—such as the legendary 48 Chair, his groundbreaking United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber interiors, and innovative Scandinavian Airlines ticket offices—the book reveals how Juhl melded beauty and utility with deep respect for craftsmanship. Authored by Christian Bundegaard, it also explores Juhl’s collaborations, cultural influences, and enduring impact on Scandinavian modernism. Complete with archival images, technical drawings, and a detailed design inventory, this volume is a must-have for design lovers eager to dive into the world of a true Scandinavian design icon.
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All you need to know about Printed in North Korea
Nicholas Bonner’s new book, Printed in North Korea: The Art of Everyday Life in the DPRK, offers a rare, deeply insightful look into North Korea’s culture through 500 linocut and woodblock prints spanning from the 1950s to today. Drawing from Bonner’s unique personal collection—one of the only ones both inside and outside the country—this 240-page hardback reveals the creativity behind North Korean propaganda, showcasing intimate glimpses of daily life for workers, farmers, scientists, and children. The richly annotated volume also explores the artistry and printing techniques behind these powerful images, blending poetic landscapes with vivid portrayals of camaraderie and national history, making it an indispensable, beautifully detailed tribute to the talent and spirit of North Korea’s artists.
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The room where Britain met the Bauhaus
Our new book, Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century, is a vibrant celebration of residential design, showcasing 400 stunning interiors by an eclectic mix of designers, artists, and style icons worldwide. Highlighting transformative spaces like the Isokon Building in Hampstead—an iconic modernist project that revolutionized British design between the wars—the book explores how visionary figures like Jack Pritchard and Marcel Breuer injected fresh European modernist ideas into the home. From sleek plywood furnishings to collaborative communal living concepts, these rooms reveal design’s power to shape culture. With four stylish cover options to match your taste, Interiors is a must-have for anyone passionate about the art of living beautifully.
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Emily Thompson - Not your Grandmother's Florist
Emily Thompson's floral installations defy traditional flower arranging, blending her sculptural background with a fascination for nature’s raw drama. Her work captures the fierce, life-and-death struggles of the natural world, combining unexpected elements like vines, citrus, and even octopuses to create spectacular, living tableaux. Growing up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and later decorating the White House ballroom, Thompson channels the wild, untamed spirit of nature through intricate, fast-paced arrangements that engage all the senses. Featured in the book *Blooms: Contemporary Floral Design*, her creations invite viewers to feel the undeniable vitality of the materials, celebrating the living world while pushing the boundaries of floral art.
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5 things we owe to the Bauhaus
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Bauhaus art and design school revolutionized modern aesthetics by seamlessly blending design and manufacture, profoundly influencing architecture, furniture, and interior design. From Paul Klee’s pioneering abstract art to Walter Gropius’s iconic mid-century homes combining tradition and innovation, Bauhaus’s legacy reshaped American suburban housing and furniture, exemplified by Herman Miller’s modernist transformation during the Great Depression. In Britain, Jack Pritchard’s Isokon Furniture Company introduced Bauhaus principles to interior design, creating holistic living spaces that featured works by Marcel Breuer and other key figures. While the minimalist ethos inspired by Bauhaus has its critics, the school’s complex history and enduring impact remain foundational to contemporary design worldwide.
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Take a tour of our fashion mag book author's NYC apartment
In his new book *Issues: A History of Photography in Fashion Magazines*, Vince Aletti, a renowned photo critic and collector, celebrates the art of fashion photography from iconic early Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar issues to contemporary titles like i-D and Fantastic Man. Marking the passage of time through September’s vibrant fashion magazines, Aletti draws from his vast personal archive amassed since childhood, housed in his East Village apartment filled with rare prints, photobooks, and nostalgic treasures. With a deep affection for magazines like The Face, his collection offers a vivid, intimate glimpse into decades of visual culture, capturing a lifetime of images both fleeting and unforgettable.
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Did you know the guy who made this chair also made music?
Harry Bertoia, renowned for his iconic Diamond chair, discovered a unique form of artistic expression in the late 1950s when bending a wire produced an unforgettable sound. This revelation sparked a passionate exploration of sound sculptures throughout the 1960s, where his creations ranged from gong-like instruments to wire arrangements that emitted haunting, whale-like tones. Though his innovative Sonambient music, released on his own label, never reached the widespread acclaim of his furniture designs, it is now experiencing a revival thanks to Important Records, which has reissued his entire collection in an 11-disc CD set and is pressing vinyl editions through a Kickstarter campaign. For those intrigued by Bertoia’s captivating fusion of metalwork and sound, the new book *Bertoia: The Metal Worker* offers an in-depth look at his remarkable legacy.
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What are Putnam & Putnam up to in 2019?
Mid-winter may be quiet in the flower world, but for Darroch and Michael Putnam—New York City’s premier floral designers known as Putnam & Putnam—it’s a season of vibrant creativity and global inspiration. In 2018, they were the trusted creators for icons like Grace Coddington, Martha Stewart, and Gwyneth Paltrow, while traveling the world to teach workshops and share their passion. Their acclaimed Flower Color Guide, a beautifully organized overview of blooms by hue, has become a celebrated resource. Reflecting on an incredible year that included a stunning 14-page editorial for American Vogue, the Putnams look ahead to 2019 with promises of even more ambitious floral adventures and breathtaking designs, sharing their joy with friends, family, and flower lovers everywhere.
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A few more reasons to buy Beauty by Sagmeister & Walsh
Renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister, alongside Jessica Walsh, delves into the profound impact of beauty on our daily lives in their book *Beauty*. Highlighting how iconic structures like New York’s Grand Central Station uplift spirits compared to the less appealing Penn Station, Sagmeister critiques the modernist International architectural style for eroding the unique charm of local building traditions, leaving the world feeling colder and more dehumanized. Yet, amid this critique, *Beauty* also offers hopeful solutions, inviting readers to rediscover and embrace the enriching power of beautiful design in everyday life.
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Who are Putnam & Putnam giving their book to this Christmas?
Michael and Darroch Putnam, the talented duo behind New York’s renowned floral design firm Putnam & Putnam, have had a remarkable year filled with global workshops, a spectacular Vogue editorial collaboration with Grace Coddington and Steven Klein, and orchestrating the floral arrangements for Gwyneth Paltrow’s wedding. They also unveiled their beautifully crafted Flower Color Guide, a vibrant and indispensable resource showcasing flowers arranged by pigment from lightest to darkest. Inspired by their travels and driven by creative passion despite frustrations with US politics, the couple looks forward to even grander floral adventures in 2019 and plans to share their beloved guide with everyone this Christmas.
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The plastic pleasure-boat worlds of Verner Panton
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Danish designer Verner Panton transformed ships floating on the Rhine into immersive showcases of bold, synthetic home environments for German chemical giant Bayer AG. These Visiona exhibitions, timed with the Cologne Furniture Fair, highlighted the decorative possibilities of plastics—a radical departure from the wood and natural materials favored by Panton’s contemporaries. His visionary installations featured vibrant rooms filled with illuminated plastic panels, shaggy carpets, and modular foam furniture, creating a mesmerizing experience where visitors were literally surrounded by color, form, and sound. Though these avant-garde interiors never became mainstream, they stand as a stunning testament to Panton’s daring creativity and the optimistic spirit of an era when plastics symbolized the limitless design future.
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Putnam & Putnam choose the 'It Flowers' of 2018
Darroch and Michael Putnam, the creative duo behind New York’s renowned floral firm Putnam & Putnam, celebrate the beauty and affordability of seasonal, locally grown flowers in their new book, Flower Colour Guide. Highlighting 400 carefully selected stems that blend the trendy, rare, and aspirational blooms of 2018, their work reflects both nature’s rhythms and high-fashion sensibilities gained from styling for Vogue. Kicking off their year-long floral journey, they spotlight the highly coveted—and delightfully temperamental—‘Cafe Au Lait’ Dahlia, offering daily inspiration and expert tips to flower lovers eager to embrace the season’s most stunning and timely blossoms.
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These cat homes will make your home look good too
Pet ownership and stylish interior design can coexist beautifully, as showcased in the new book *Pet-tecture: Design for Pets*. Featuring an inspiring range of contemporary pet furniture, the book highlights innovative pieces like LYCS Architecture’s CATable 1.0, which cleverly combines workspace and feline play, and LikeKittysVille’s eco-friendly Geometric Cat Bed that offers a cozy retreat with striking clean lines. Other standout designs include the versatile Necobaco cat tree from Clavo, the sculptural Cat-a-Comb by Atelier Suburban, and BOWOW London’s chic Loulie Cat Tower, which supports animal welfare causes. For those looking to customize their pet’s space, DOTE’s Mouldable Blanket offers a malleable refuge tailored to any cat’s temperament, proving that thoughtful design can enhance both pets’ comfort and home aesthetics.
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Sagmeister & Walsh want to bring back beauty
Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh, two of the world’s leading graphic designers, challenge the modern design world's dismissal of beauty, tracing its decline to the rise of Modernism in the early 20th century. Once a universal pursuit evident even in prehistoric tools, beauty was sidelined as design became dominated by rigid functionality, uniformity, and austerity. Despite this shift, the pair argue that beauty remains vital—integral to true function and the emotional resonance of design. Through their book *Sagmeister & Walsh: Beauty*, they explore how contemporary culture often overlooks beauty’s value, even as people crave it subconsciously, urging a return to designing with care, intelligence, and love so that beauty is restored to its rightful place at the heart of creativity.
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It's time to vibe up your vases!
Michael and Darroch Putnam, the talented duo behind New York’s Putnam & Putnam, blend their backgrounds in photography and interior design to create striking floral arrangements for prestigious clients like Vogue and Bergdorf Goodman. They share expert tips for anyone looking to elevate their floral displays, such as choosing bold, rich color palettes for events, building good relationships with flower vendors, and knowing how to care for different varieties to ensure longevity. For those less confident in arranging, they suggest a minimalist approach—using unique flowers in simple vases to create elegant accents. Their expertise is beautifully encapsulated in their book, The Flower Colour Guide, a groundbreaking resource that categorizes flowers by color and season to inspire stunning, creative arrangements.
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'And now ladies and gentlemen... Heeere's Grace!'
Grace Coddington, renowned for her influential career at Vogue both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, is stepping into a new role as a talk show host with her six-part interview series, Grace to Face, debuting on the Made to Measure streaming fashion network this September. Inspired by David Letterman’s acclaimed profile series, the show will feature candid conversations with notable figures like actor Ansel Elgort and Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, all filmed in the familiar setting of Mr Chow, the New York restaurant owned by her ex-husband Michael Chow, who will also appear as a guest. Though nervous about this new venture, Grace has carefully chosen easy-to-talk-to guests, promising an intimate and engaging exploration of fashion and creativity through her unique lens.
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Snarkitecture The Beach installation at DC by Noah Kalina large white sculptural art with people interacting on it
Who bought Snarkitecture's balls?
Snarkitecture’s innovative 2015 installation, The Beach, transformed the National Building Museum in Washington DC into a monochrome seashore made of 1,000,000 antimicrobial white plastic balls, captivating audiences as it traveled from DC to Tampa, Sydney, and Paris. However, 15,000 of these iconic balls remained in storage in Florida after the Tampa exhibit closed in 2016, as shipping them overseas proved too costly. Attempts to donate them to local schools failed, as colorful ball pits were preferred, leading to their auction alongside an eclectic mix of items at the Bay Area Auction House. This quirky twist gives a piece of contemporary art history a new, unexpected life in the hands of local bidders.
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Charles and Di, Prince William and North Korea
Despite North Korea's extreme isolation, its visual culture surprisingly incorporates global news and events, as seen in its diverse commemorative postage stamps. According to expert Nicholas Bonner, North Korea issues stamps featuring an eclectic array of subjects, including unexpected ones like the British Royal family to mark Prince William’s birth in 1982. While images of North Korean leaders remain highly restricted and reserved solely for their own writings, the stamps celebrate everything from major sporting events to historic moments and diplomatic meetings. These stamps serve both as collectible art and practical postage, offering a unique window into the country's distinctive graphic culture.
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Looking back at the Pride Flag
As Pride celebrations light up cities like London and New York, the iconic rainbow flag—created by artist and activist Gilbert Baker—stands as a vibrant symbol of hope and community. Baker, who passed away in 2017, crafted the flag in 1978 as a beautiful and empowering alternative to the pink triangle, a symbol born from oppression. Hand-dyed and stitched in the San Francisco Gay Community Center, the flag’s design draws inspiration from the natural rainbow and the stripes of the US flag, embodying a spirit of unity and defiance. While its colors may seem familiar or even cliché to some today, in many parts of the world, Baker’s flag continues to be a powerful emblem for those fighting for freedom and equality.
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Pentagram gives Margaret Howell a makeover
Margaret Howell’s design studio perfectly reflects her preference for a no-frills, adaptable workspace where creativity can flow freely. While retaining the iconic trestle tables from her early days, the studio has undergone a thoughtful transformation by Pentagram, creating a larger, serene environment that highlights the building’s architectural charm and floods the space with natural light. With bespoke birch-ply cupboards, a unique rubber floor, and subtle details like a tan skirting board, the studio balances functionality and inspiration, providing the ideal setting for Howell and her team to craft their 2018 collections in true British fashion style.
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Take a listen to Toby Mott's punk playlist on Spotify
UK punk rock was not just a music revolution but a vibrant cultural movement defined by a raw DIY spirit and striking visual identity. Toby Mott, author of "Oh So Pretty - Punk In Print 1976-80," takes us back to the era of seminal punk tracks that shaped the scene, sharing personal reflections on classics like the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy In The UK," The Clash's dub-infused "Complete Control," and the liberating anthem "Oh Bondage Up Yours!" by X-Ray Spex. From the working-class roots of The Jam and the futuristic edge of Tubeway Army to the political fire of The Clash's "White Riot" and the youthful energy of The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks," this curated playlist celebrates punk’s diverse sounds and social impact. Mott’s insights reveal how these songs captured rebellion, identity, and a transformative moment in music and society.
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How clutter inspired Richard Sapper’s design classic
Richard Sapper’s iconic Tizio desk lamp, designed in 1972 for Artemide, stands out as a brilliant solution for cluttered workspaces, blending sleek modernism with practical functionality. Unlike traditional lamps that demand clear space and produce uncomfortable glare, the Tizio’s ingenious design features a long swivel arm balanced by a counterweight, allowing precise lighting on any part of a desk without disrupting the chaos of everyday life. Created with a matte black finish to seamlessly complement any environment, the Tizio lamp embodies Sapper’s philosophy of focused illumination and elegant restraint. Celebrated with prestigious awards and housed in major museums like MoMA and the Met, the Tizio remains a timeless embodiment of thoughtful design for real-world living.
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How Martin Parr's Phaidon book inspired Patrick Grant's new men's and women's collections
Patrick Grant, known for his role on The Great British Sewing Bee and his revitalization of Saville Row’s Norton & Sons, reveals how Martin Parr’s evocative photography, especially from the book *Boring Postcards*, inspired his latest E. Tautz collection. Grant admires Parr’s empathetic and vivid portrayal of British life, capturing both its pomp and its playful underbelly through bright, saturated colors that inject joy into an otherwise grey landscape. Drawing on themes of post-war Britain’s embrace of modernity and communal spirit, Grant’s designs reflect the desaturated hues and geometric patterns seen in Parr’s work, celebrating everyday British icons like holiday camps and colorful chalets. This intersection of art, fashion, and cultural history highlights how Grant weaves storytelling and national identity into his stylish collections.
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Paula Scher paints info-maps of the USA
In an age where everyone can craft their own maps using GPS and abundant data, renowned graphic designer Paula Scher brings a unique artistic spin to cartography with her expressive, hand-painted maps of the United States. Opening soon at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery in Manhattan, Scher’s large-scale acrylic works blend population, climate, and transportation data into vibrant, abstract-expressionist compositions that evoke moods rather than precision. Rooted in a family legacy of mapmaking yet deliberately non-scientific, her “abstract-expressionist information” style offers an emotional and creative glimpse into US geography, transforming data into compelling visual storytelling rather than navigational tools.
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Richard Sapper 1932 - 2015
Richard Sapper, a visionary German industrial designer renowned for blending formal simplicity, technical expertise, and poetic humor, passed away on New Year’s Eve. Throughout his prolific career, Sapper created an extraordinary range of products—from kitchen appliances and furniture to cars and bicycles—earning numerous international awards and securing his place in prestigious museums worldwide. Based mainly in Milan, he collaborated with legends like Marco Zanuso and contributed iconic designs such as the Alessi stovetop espresso maker, the innovative Tizio lamp, and IBM’s groundbreaking ThinkPad. His influence extended beyond design into teaching at esteemed institutions globally. This June, Phaidon celebrates his remarkable legacy with a comprehensive monograph featuring rare archival images and candid interviews that illuminate the inspirations and stories behind his enduring work.
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How boot camp shaped the world’s finest floral artist
Daniel Ost, arguably the world’s most successful floral artist, has defied early prejudices about his craft to create breathtaking installations worldwide. Though once stereotyped and even sent to military school by his father to “cure” him, Ost credits much of his precision and discipline to that regimental experience. From orchestrating massive floral displays at royal weddings in Belgium to monumental art at Japan’s Izumo temple, his work demands exacting mastery over fleeting beauty. Ost views floral design as a battle against time, requiring unwavering will and meticulous skill—a philosophy vividly reflected in his stunning creations and celebrated in the new book, *Daniel Ost: Floral Art and the Beauty of Impermanence*.
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Samsung Serif 6 TV displaying vibrant colorful screen in modern living room setting
Have you seen the Bouroullecs' new TV?
The new Serif TV by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Samsung reimagines the television as a piece of furniture rather than just another sleek electronic device. Inspired by the decorative strokes of serif fonts, the design features a distinctive I-beam silhouette that allows the TV to stand independently on surfaces and even serve as a shelf. Clever touches include a magnetic textile panel to hide cables and detachable four-legged stands, blending functionality with style. Beyond its physical form, the Bouroullecs also crafted an intuitive user interface, featuring a virtual “curtain” that lets viewers obscure ads with a single remote click. Set to launch at London’s Design Festival, the Serif TV showcases how thoughtful design can transform tech into an everyday object that’s both beautiful and practical.
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Propaganda gets dirty in Map
Map: Exploring The World is a captivating journey through cartography that delights both enthusiasts and casual readers alike, blending fascinating insights with irony, humor, and even chilling moments. Among its highlights is James Gillray’s 1793 satirical map, The French Invasion, which portrays King George III in a defiant, patriotic stance—literally repelling French invasion boats in a crude, xenophobic cartoon designed to boost British morale during revolutionary turmoil. In stark contrast, the Soviet 1941 propaganda piece Death To Fascism dramatically depicts the Red Army’s fierce resistance against the Nazi threat, capturing the terror and resolve of wartime. This enthralling collection of maps offers a rich, multifaceted perspective on history, politics, and art.
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Mario Bellini’s roadmap for the future
In 1972, Italian designer Mario Bellini boldly predicted the automobile's decline, criticizing its impact on cities and the environment while urging a rethinking of its purpose. His visionary concept, the Kar-A-Sutra, presented at MoMA's exhibition Italy: The New Domestic Landscape, reimagined the car as a spacious, light-filled living space rather than a mere vehicle. Featuring large windows, a hydraulic roof, and plush seating designed for relaxation, the Kar-A-Sutra prioritized passenger comfort and environmental concerns long before “people carriers” became common. Bellini’s innovative approach invites us to reconsider how everyday objects like the automobile can better serve human and ecological needs.
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Why artists, architects and designers love Daniel Ost
Daniel Ost, renowned Belgian artist and floral visionary, transcends traditional flower arranging to create extraordinary botanical art that captivates global admirers—from fashion icons like Dries Van Noten to esteemed architects and royalty. His work, inspired by diverse cultures and natural materials, bridges disciplines and defies categorization, blending the impermanence of flowers with architectural and artistic principles drawn from European and Japanese traditions. Ost’s groundbreaking installations and elegant compositions, showcased in prestigious venues worldwide, redefine floral artistry as a profound creative expression—a journey vividly chronicled in a striking new 440-page monograph celebrating his innovative career and timeless impact.
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'I feel like they killed me' - Tomi Ungerer
The tragic attack on the Parisian satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has deeply shaken the artistic and activist community, particularly French-born illustrator Tomi Ungerer. Reflecting on his own experiences with fascism in WWII, Ungerer condemns the violence as a chilling form of blackmail that threatens freedom of expression. Having long championed free speech and social justice, Ungerer feels a personal loss and insists that satire must endure despite terrorism’s attempt to silence it. While wary of the political fallout, he holds onto hope through his work and the universal spirit of liberty, exemplified by his recent reflections on infinity as a boundless refuge of freedom. In solidarity, the Tomi Ungerer Museum plans an exhibition honoring the fallen cartoonists and their courageous stand for democratic values.
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MVRDV brings Vertical Village into your home
MVRDV’s playful Vertical Village furniture collection, having toured globally from Hamburg to Milan, is now available for purchase. Inspired by the architects’ critique of the uniform, dense apartment blocks replacing traditional small-scale housing in fast-growing Asian cities, the range embraces individuality and creativity through colorful, stackable foam rubber pieces resembling miniature buildings. With designs like The House, The Barn, and The Curve, the collection invites users to create their own vibrant mini-cityscapes, blending whimsy with thoughtful urban commentary. While perfect for creative office spaces, Vertical Village also sparks conversation about urban living and architectural expression in an increasingly standardized world.
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