Art Architecture Photography Books

on NY architecture.

The entire collection is a MUST for every lover of NY.

This is the New York people fall in love with, the iconic Art Deco skyline, the great skyscrapers of the 20's and 30's. When you see pictures of the skyline of the late 30's you can't help but be impressed by the awesome beauty of the all the spires. The modern skyline today is full of mediocre "modern" skyscarpers and post modern pretenders, I mean have you seen the pictures of the proposed Freedom Tower of SOM's David Childs, the very definition of bland; 1,776 feet of boring. As for this fantastic book, it's perfect; the images are well presented and the text scholarly, really an education on NYC architecture between the Great Wars. Highly Recommended.

This is an encyclopedic description of New York as I remember it from my student years. The numerous neat clean photographs and drawings present an idealized city. But what is additionally fascinating are the rich background histories that illustrate the social and economic complexity of Gotham. I enjoy this book at two levels: one, as a valuable artistic document, two, as an encapsulation of the memories and fantasies of my youth. I bought a sport coat at Finchleys; I lived in the Greenpoint Housing Project; I wanted to work or live in those buildings; I wanted to draw like those architects and engineers. I loved these last embodiments of Art Deco construction and the grand civic projects.

This history presents New York from the viewpoint of the upper crust and the insulated, the planning was grand and well funded. The slums, the dirt, the menace of some streets and the ethnic tapestry are ignored. Just as memory tends to purge the unpleasent, so does this book, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

When people talk about New York's Golden Age, they're usually referring to the late 1800s, but I would argue that New York's true Golden Age was the 1920s. With over 800 pages, this tome is difficult to handle, but nevertheless, it covers New York at its peak of glory, and is the best of Robert Stern's books about New York architecture (e.g., New York 1880, New York 1900, New York 1960). Especially noteworthy are the beautiful b&w photos, averaging more than one per page. There are also approximately 40 floor plans, although most page space is given over to text. The authors give attention to both exteriors and interiors of the era's buildings. Each chapter covers a specific type of building, with a special emphasis on Rockefeller Center, the 1939 World's Fair, 57th Street, and the works of architects Kahn, Walker, and Hood.

At age 17 I wrote to Rudi Gernreich, imploring him to let me work for him & sending him my own futuristic fashion designs. I never heard back, of course; why would an iconoclast need imput from a teenager? This man prefigured so much that happened in later decades that most of what he did still looks cutting edge today. He saw himself as being a few years ahead of his time. More like a few deades. David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust owes more than a bit to Rudi's unisex designs, up to & including the shaved eyebrows. The look was startling & alien in 1973, imagine how it looked in psychedelic era 60s! Peggy Moffit's book is a godsend, & she is a Pop Icon extraordinaire. The future hasn't been nearly as groovy as Gernreich envisioned, but this book offers a glimpse of what it might have been. He was a true visionary.

I was given this book by my best friend, who thought I would like it. Love it is more like it, this man who I was dying for information on was a genius, artistic, innovative... Truly for those who are fashion mavericks and trend-setters. This book finally brings Rudi to light, by a dear friend of his and is written from an insiders point of view. It also tells the story of an artist trying to create in the commercial world. The topless bathing suit, trompe d'oeil in fashion, ohh and those clever sunglass that are round on one side and square on the other... Not to mention is introduction of PVC and knee socks back in the 60's - all Rudi's. Incredible photography (Peggy Moffat's husband rounded out their collaborative trio as the photographer). This book will inspire as you revel at how Rudi, a master of form and shape, comfort and style, with his deft imagination and sense of style just created movements in fashion that flow through to what you see on the street to the haute couture. He has been underground for so long yet is long overdue for this showing as he has a had a PROFOUND influence on fashion and everyone who sees the book cannot put it down. For [the price] it is a steal too. This is a book to cherish and hang out with when you need some inspiration. He is much why the 60's was considered modernist. Incredibly glamourous celeb pics such as the one of Barbara Streisand appear in all her glory as well as pieces on adrongny (wayy ahead of his time) and the rejoicement of one within their own body. Rudi was far far ahead of us all and I believe will become better known as time passes. This is a bittersweet book about Rudi and his muse, Peggy and her husband. Three people with immense imagination that together made it in this world without compromising. Makes a great gift, everyone I have given it to just adores it. Forget all about the vintage designers, he was a driving force in the 60's. He took those terrible frumpy looks and threw them out and looked at women as strong, beautiful creatures as they are and gave them a right to look gorgeous. This book is not about beauty in a conventional sense, it really really sets you free. Afterall, he boldly rejected the mainstream concept of women's old big skirted fashion and started all new styles, ones with his unique perception making stunning and hip fashion accessible to all. Rudi really was a fashion heavy - this remarkable book should not be missed.

Peggy Moffitt, with her raccoon eyes and pigeon toed stance, and Rudi Gernreich, one of fashion's most unknown innovators of the 60s, are lovingly profiled in this book by Moffitt, Gernreich's friend, model and muse. The photographs are by William Claxton, Moffitt's husband, who is well known for his jazz photos, in particular those of Chet Baker. From the topless bathing suit to the thong bikini; from the unisex look to men's styled underwear for women, Moffitt covers all of the fashion innovations of Gernreich that we now take for granted today. In full color and black and white photos, this book spans the creative, exciting and futuristic career of a fashion genius who was ahead of his time and has left an indelible mark on the world.

Until I read this book, I had no idea how many important contributions Rudi Gernreich made to fashion. He was a maverick in his day. His designs were so advanced, even for the wild-child sixties, that they still seem fresh. In fact, I recognized many current trends in these photos. This is largely a "picture book" with vintage publicity and advertising photos by William Claxton, as taken throughout the sixties. They're mostly modeled by Peggy Moffitt (she was also an innovator in her field, with amazing eye makeup). This book opens with an overview of Gernreich's career, and a really comprehensive essay about his most famous designs (like the topless bathing suit). It's a wonderful read, both entertaining and informative.

I was given this book by my best friend, who thought I would like it. Love it is more like it, this man who I was dying for information on was a genius, artistic, innovative... Truly for those who are fashion mavericks and trend-setters. This book finally brings Rudi to light, by a dear friend of his and is written from an insiders point of view. It also tells the story of an artist trying to create in the commercial world. The topless bathing suit, trompe d'oeil in fashion, ohh and those clever sunglass that are round on one side and square on the other... Not to mention is introduction of PVC and knee socks back in the 60's - all Rudi's. Incredible photography (Peggy Moffat's husband rounded out their collaborative trio as the photographer). This book will inspire as you revel at how Rudi, a master of form and shape, comfort and style, with his deft imagination and sense of style just created movements in fashion that flow through to what you see on the street to the haute couture. He has been underground for so long yet is long overdue for this showing as he has a had a PROFOUND influence on fashion and everyone who sees the book cannot put it down. For a little over $20 it is a steal too. This is a book to cherish and hang out with when you need some inspiration. He is much why the 60's was considered modernist. Incredibly glamourous celeb pics such as the one of Barbara Streisand appear in all her glory as well as pieces on adrongny (wayy ahead of his time) and the rejoicement of one within their own body. Rudi was far far ahead of us all and I believe will become better known as time passes. This is a bittersweet book about Rudi and his muse, Peggy and her husband. Three people with immense imagination that together made it in this world without compromising. Makes a great gift, everyone I have given it to just adores it. Forget all about the vintage designers, he was a driving force in the 60's. He took those terrible frumpy looks and threw them out and looked at women as strong, beautiful creatures as they are and gave them a right to look gorgeous. This book is not about beauty in a conventional sense, it really really sets you free. Afterall, he boldly rejected the mainstream concept of women's old big skirted fashion and started all new styles, ones with his unique perception making stunning and hip fashion accessible to all. Rudi really was a fashion heavy - this remarkable book should not be missed.

Superb photography. The inclusion of reference drawings provides an interesting juxtaposition - the "objective" (plan) view versus the experiential.

This is an excellent book. Mr. Ward's photography captures the essence of these marvelous American Landscapes. The carefully drawn illustrations are quite helpful to understanding the landscapes that he has so skillfully captured on film.

...as Watkin points out in this thoughtful volume, architecture has content beyond simply how it looks or how it works. He points out that throughout recent history, architectural historians have used their own critical work to justify whatever style they happen to be most fond of as being the only "real," "true," "authentic," and hence, moral architectre. The transparency of this self-fulfilling prophecy becomes clear as architecture transitions into Modernism, which was vigorously promoted by its adherents. Watkins interesting historical perspective is beneficial to anyone who's wondered who decides what architectural style or form is "more right." While this whole discussion may strike you as intramural and arcane, I assure you that it is not, as we live every day (and for succeeding decades) with the results of these stylistic tugs-of-war. Recommended reading for architecture buffs as well as architects.