Kaori Wakamatsu Art Book

Kaori Wakamatsu is a Japanese Illustrator whose work spans from design goods to magazines, to advertising work. I came across her work a number of years ago in the form of postcards sold in stationary stores, and I'm happy to report she now has an art book dedicated to her work. 

What is instantly recognizable about Wakamatsu's work is her absolutely stunning use of pattern. Her patterns tend to be very flat and graphic, and are contrasted with form and layering that makes the shapes appear more dimensional. This is most notable in the fabrics of her character's costumes.

This one is particularly lovely, as she uses the pattern to create a dream-like atmosphere.

Wakamatsu is also fantastic at creating series, and in fact, most of her work is part of one series or another. Sometimes joined together by a common theme, such as card suits or days of the week, these series usually have similar palettes, motifs, and/or patterns in each image that makes them instantly recognizable as a set. 

Wakamatsu tends to be very clever about her use of black. A strong color, she still manages to make all of her images light and airy feeling, with a tinge of nostalgia. 

Similar to Hyung Tae Kim, her character's faces have little dissimilarity between each other. Instead, everything is expressed in the color palette and some fantastic costume design. 

The end of the book also contains a couple of pages of sketches of the final work presented throughout the rest of the book. Sketches of this nature tend to be very common, especially among artists who work predominately in Illustrator.

If you look under the book jacket, you get to see a sketch of the image on the cover. 

Pros: This is a sturdy book, with great binding. The paper is matte and thick, and a little textured, which suits Wakamatsu's more subdued palate. There is also a lot of work, and no text.

Cons: The import cost makes it expensive. Still, I would say it's totally worth it. 

How to Buy: I bought mine directly at a Kinokuniya Bookstore, but this book can be found at a number of websites such as Otaku.com Because this book is being imported from Japan, it is a little more expensive, but it's popularity is also making it cheaper!

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Julie Taymor: Playing With Fire

Julie Taymor's Playing With Fire is a riveting book. Less an art book, and more of an insight into the decisions and personal, as well as universal symbology as seen by Julie Taymore. Except for an introduction that talks about Taymor's experiences growing up and becoming a director, the book is written largely by Taymor herself. Each play has it's own section in which Taymor discribes how she interpreted the play, what her intentions were, her decision making process from costumes to backgrounds, to which characters are represented by people and which are only props, and always, why. Throughout her discourse about that particular play, images associated with it, such as sketches, stage performances, costumes, and cameo shots are thrown in. Despite Taymor being such a visual artist, there is relatively little documented art in the book. That being said, I cannot express enough exactly how intriguing it is to read the extremely well written Taymor's thoughts and beliefs on such a specific and intimate level. Please enjoy her provoking work.

An Answering-service operator manipulates "herself"

A rape scene, Taymor dresses Lavinia as a doe and has her symbolically attacked by tigers

A work she is most publicly recognized for, Taymor was responsible for much of the Lion King Broadway Musical

Character designs for the Lion King drawn by Taymor:
Mufasa, Scar, Simba
three tricksters
Nala, Rafiki, and a hyena

Julie Taymor herself

Pros: A nice sized book that documents all of Taymor's works, the binding is solid and sturdy. The true treasure of this book is what Taymore has written about herself. If you are interested in symbology, I highly recommend this book. 

Cons: Less imagery than expected, and early work is documented in black and white

How to Buy: Amazon

Note of Confusion: Instead of releasing new compilations, every time Taymor completes a few new plays, she updates Playing With Fire, keeping the same name, and the same cover. This being said, you can buy old versions of her book for rather cheap. New editions cover everything that previous editions had, just added new material for the new work. Just know how much you want.

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Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

When Alexander McQueen passed away in February 2010, it was deemed as a true tragedy to the world of art and expressionism. Looking at this book, it is easy to see why. Savage Beauty is a compilation of some of McQueen's most famous and breathtaking work, items that were displayed with much gusto in the Met in the summer of 2011. I wasn't fortunate enough to see it, but images of the exhibition itself are extraordinary. The Met Exhibition The book is broken up into several 'chapters' of work, each with an introductory theme, and a bit about the collection itself. 

This piece is probably one of my favorites of the book. There are a few double page spreads, but for the most part the book is filled with one garment per page. Sometimes a single image is accompanied by a quote from McQueen himself,  talking about his inspiration or his work process.

His 'origami' coats are iconic and beautiful for their shape, structure, and wonderfully articulate lines. How he makes a hard edge so organic and simple is lovely. 

 

Some of the models in this book are in truly astounding and wonderfully ephemeral poses. They were photographed on real live models by Sølve Sundsbø before being digitally altered to appear as though on wooden mannequins. I have to say, an excellent job. It gives the work the right structure without detracting from the work by the presence of a real body. Although admittedly, it is also very creepy. (laugh)

Some of the pages have close ups as well as full body shots. A few images have front and back views, but for most part it is a single shot and we must be content. 

Near the end, there are a number of double page spreads displaying some of McQueen's accessories. 

Now let me say, there is A LOT more work than this. But what it comes down to is that I've given you a sampler to help you decide that you want it too. It is just that great a book!

Pros: There is a nice interview with McQueen's second, Sarah Burton, but otherwise the book is pretty text free. The paper quality is wonderful, and the book shows a great breath and variety of McQueen's work. The binding is good, and feels very sturdy. It's a book heavy book.  

Cons: Just by the nature of the work being 3D, I wish I could see multiple shots from different angles of some of the work. I'll just have to see the show!

How To Buy: Amazon

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