Designblog

my choice of this book (swiss folk art) or its choice of me – followed the following sequence.

i entered the library-. 1.) i chose a book on indian road signs. this choice, however, did not feel honest- the choice of it was hasty in the midst of the others fighting for those more striking or easily appealing books, i felt that i was influenced in some way not because i wanted that book but- because i did not want someone else to have it. so; 2) i decided to make another choice this time choosing  a book that i had no affinity with un purpose-a grey dull and univiting book featuring fashion models, this choice was daunting, and felt highly ‘wrong’. 3.) i walked to another more remote section of the library and there felt stumped, lost, numb. then out of a hazey mindstate i was pulled by this book and the desire to possess it. i have still not opened it or looked inside.

Rietveld Academie Library No: eu-zwit 773.3 bau

The white spot in the middle of the book immediately grabbed my attention. It’s the only element you see on the book. The rest is covered with denim. Strange actually because the book contains information about the Japanese architecture. And denim is typical ´West´. But for me strange is not that negative, I think it is quite interesting.

Actually I don’t know anything about Japanese architecture. But I was thinking about it, because the last two years I learnt a lot about the Japanese environment. I wondered if you could see the Japanese flora and fauna back into their architecture (which it does).

While flipping the pages you only see black and white photographs which show the simplicity of their architecture. It shows a lot of buildings with interesting spaces, lines and basic elements. I really recognize ‘Japan’ in it.

It’s a squared book fit in one color which I like. Not too big, not to small and it really wanted to tell me something about buildings created with natural elements of Japan.

09769
7/3.3

Shoin