Quirky, poignant, astute, funny this beautiful book presents a colourful collection of observations on visual culture and design, written and illuminated by world-renowned typographic illustrator Marian Bantjes. Whether intricately hand-drawn or using precise computer illustration software, her highly ornamental, craftsman-like word-pictures have earned her professional acclaim and a cult following around the world.
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Review
'A gilt-edged new tome ... an eccentric mix of musings, personal anecdotes and what Bantjes calls "hairbrained ideas" ... Rich, playful and often funny'
--Wallpaper*
'Undeniably obsessively stylish but its contents are by turn informed, witty and movingly personal' --Eye
'A visual dictionary of bizarre graphic possibilities' --Art Review
'Exquisitely conceived and produced ... riding on Bantjes' wave of wonder is a thrilling experience in which anyone can participate ... a book of meaning and worth' --Felt & Wire
'Fascinating'
--Matchbox
'Few treatises on art have been as delicately, eclectically and extravagantly made as this ... a unique book'
--Computer Arts
'A marvellous mixture of the quirky and the unexpected ... every page is a visual feast' --Saab Magazine
'Something special ... a production masterpiece ... more a work of art than a regular book ... a feast for visual gluttons ... an incredible sensory experience'
--Design>Art South Africa
--Wallpaper*
'Undeniably obsessively stylish but its contents are by turn informed, witty and movingly personal' --Eye
'A visual dictionary of bizarre graphic possibilities' --Art Review
'Exquisitely conceived and produced ... riding on Bantjes' wave of wonder is a thrilling experience in which anyone can participate ... a book of meaning and worth' --Felt & Wire
'Fascinating'
--Matchbox
'Few treatises on art have been as delicately, eclectically and extravagantly made as this ... a unique book'
--Computer Arts
'A marvellous mixture of the quirky and the unexpected ... every page is a visual feast' --Saab Magazine
'Something special ... a production masterpiece ... more a work of art than a regular book ... a feast for visual gluttons ... an incredible sensory experience'
--Design>Art South Africa
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Claire
Format:Hardcover
I first learned of this book from a review I read in Creative Review magazine. I was immediately interested and found a copy in my college library. As soon as I saw it, I became attached to it, I was so sad to give it back. I hadn't even read it all the way through but I still knew I wanted it and got it for Christmas.
Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to read it all but just to flip through the pages to catch a glance at the other pages, the design work that has gone into it alone is incredible. From what I have read, the content is just as amazing; it's great to have an insight into the way she works and thinks, what inspires her. I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw it (and not just because of the cover design!), I really cannot wait to finally get the time to just sit and read it cover to cover and take in all the effort Marian Bantjes has given.
Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to read it all but just to flip through the pages to catch a glance at the other pages, the design work that has gone into it alone is incredible. From what I have read, the content is just as amazing; it's great to have an insight into the way she works and thinks, what inspires her. I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw it (and not just because of the cover design!), I really cannot wait to finally get the time to just sit and read it cover to cover and take in all the effort Marian Bantjes has given.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is beautiful! It is one of those things that you just enjoy holding in your hands, and flicking through. It's amazingly colourful inside and a pleasure to browse from beginning to end.
I haven't read it entirely through, but it represents a lot of Marian's work in different artistic modes. I just wish it showed more variety, but all in all it is stunning!
I haven't read it entirely through, but it represents a lot of Marian's work in different artistic modes. I just wish it showed more variety, but all in all it is stunning!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By jc
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
An unusual book that combines illustration with a random complilation of written thoughts by Marian. It was not quite what I had expected but I like it. The cover design is my favourite part as this is the illustration style I would associate with Marian Bantjes. It would have been better if there was more typography design but overall it is an interesting book.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I llloved this book. I foud it interesting to read and hugely inspiring to look at.
And also intriguing. I still have to break the secret code...
I love Marian's Art and I am very happy I got this magic book!!!
that beside being ineresting and at times funny to read is also so
nice to hold in your hands and to look at when it is closed,
It is a Joy for the eyes
GRAZIE MARIAAAAN !!!!
And also intriguing. I still have to break the secret code...
I love Marian's Art and I am very happy I got this magic book!!!
that beside being ineresting and at times funny to read is also so
nice to hold in your hands and to look at when it is closed,
It is a Joy for the eyes
GRAZIE MARIAAAAN !!!!
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A personal and creative volume.
The book is divided into sections or essays, each marked by it's own distinct illustrated style. Each page is a work of art, the patterns and shapes informing the text and visa-versa. The essays explore the role of wonder, stargazing, the politics of ornament, how we honour things, the language of heraldry, and memory, among other things.
It's like autobiography, not of a persons life, but of their thoughts.
It is an object of beauty, and inspiration. Forget Kindle, you need to feel the weight of this one, the shiny pages, the gleam of the gold patterning, the shine of the colours.
In the book Marjan quotes Oscar Wilde: "The art that is frankly decorative is the art to live with. It is, of all visible arts, the one art that creates in us both mood and temperament... The harmony that resides in the delicate proportions of lines and masses becomes mirrored in the mind. The proportions of patterns give us rest. The marvels of design stir the imagination."
This was the effect of the book on me - a calming effect combined with wonder, from which rises imagination and inspiration, and ones own creative work.
The book is divided into sections or essays, each marked by it's own distinct illustrated style. Each page is a work of art, the patterns and shapes informing the text and visa-versa. The essays explore the role of wonder, stargazing, the politics of ornament, how we honour things, the language of heraldry, and memory, among other things.
It's like autobiography, not of a persons life, but of their thoughts.
It is an object of beauty, and inspiration. Forget Kindle, you need to feel the weight of this one, the shiny pages, the gleam of the gold patterning, the shine of the colours.
In the book Marjan quotes Oscar Wilde: "The art that is frankly decorative is the art to live with. It is, of all visible arts, the one art that creates in us both mood and temperament... The harmony that resides in the delicate proportions of lines and masses becomes mirrored in the mind. The proportions of patterns give us rest. The marvels of design stir the imagination."
This was the effect of the book on me - a calming effect combined with wonder, from which rises imagination and inspiration, and ones own creative work.
Format:Hardcover
This has a stunning cover and looks fabulous in a guest room
First seen at the development by Candy & Candy - One Hyde Park
Their £64m apartment had one in.
It's beautiful to look at.
Haven't read it though!!!
First seen at the development by Candy & Candy - One Hyde Park
Their £64m apartment had one in.
It's beautiful to look at.
Haven't read it though!!!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Sue
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having spotted this book in a local art shop I searched for it on Amazon and ordered it immediately. It is stunning visually from the gold edging to the pages, to the very different graphic styles used throughout the book. The written word coupled with the sometimes unusual pattern-making methods, interesting quotes and personal memories, make this a book not simply to 'read' but to enjoy physically. Yet one more example why e.books will never take the place of paper and print. This would make a stunning gift.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Amy Paints
Format:Hardcover
This book not only looks like gold but actually is gold! On seeing this book in a store I immediately checked it out on Amazon where I found it at a highly competitive price and immediately swooped it up!
I would say the images alone are enough to make you buy this one. They are jewel-like, perfectly designed and absolutely absorbing!
The writing itself is poignant, funny and to the point (unlike some art theory books we all know and love.)
One tiny little thing that was no so much a negative as a little bit less positive was the work your eyes had to put in to decipher the text from a latter part of the book.
Well, worth the eye strain though! An absolute wonder!
I would say the images alone are enough to make you buy this one. They are jewel-like, perfectly designed and absolutely absorbing!
The writing itself is poignant, funny and to the point (unlike some art theory books we all know and love.)
One tiny little thing that was no so much a negative as a little bit less positive was the work your eyes had to put in to decipher the text from a latter part of the book.
Well, worth the eye strain though! An absolute wonder!
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