Roman Signer is an artist like no other. Although he identifies himself as a sculptor, he is best known for actions in which simple materials (rockets, balloons, rushing water) react with natural forces to yield surprisingly lyrical results. Part mad scientist, part sorcerer's apprentice, part Buster Keaton, Signer often appears in these actions, sometimes at considerable risk to himself. The real star of his works, however, is time. In works such as Sandbag with Timed Detonator (1988), an auto-destructive device featuring a plastic alarm clock that releases a heavy sandbag hanging above it, two periods of tranquil rest are bridged by an instant of sudden violence. In others the change is more gradual, as in Action with a Fuse (1989), a twenty kilometre, thirty-five day 'time sculpture' in which two hundred lengths of fuse burned a path to Signer's current hometown from the village of his youth In the Interview, Paula Van Den Bosch speaks to the artist about the origins of his interest in art and explosives. Gerhard Mack's Survey traces the key themes in a career that spans four decades, from the artist's early experiments with elemental materials to his large-scale explosive actions. In the Focus, Jeremy Millar visits the artist in Switzerland to retrace the path of the epic 1989 Action with a Fuse.

Presents a collection of more than 250 classic covers from the Batman comic book series.

This book for a popular audience interested in design and responsible consumerism highlights products whose production, use, and disassembly adhere to standards of environmental sustainability. Artfully conceived color photographs are accompanied by seven essays from design journalists on the environmental accomplishments of Lego and American Apparel, the development of a urine-activated battery, the sustainable printing movement, and the recycled art of some selected individuals. "Green" designs for games, jewelry, interiors, and fashion are also featured with less text. Resources for further reading are included. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Although there are many volumes that explore the life of Christ, this one is unique, relying exclusively on stunning woodcut prints in place of text. Eloquent in its simplicity, it offers 71 black-and-white illustrations — from the Annunciation of Mary to Christ's ascension into heaven — in a moving retelling of the greatest story ever told.

An edgy and stylish collection showcases the color illustrations of Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, one of the most acclaimed manga and anime artists of all time, featuring a selection of paintings and designs from Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Wings of Honneamise, and other extraordinary works.

Big-Eye Art: Resurrected and Transformed provides a compelling introduction to the genre, including a dazzling array of more than 150 astonishing works by twenty-two big-eye fantasy artists, both renowned and emerging, among them Blonde Blythe, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Misha, Mark Gleason, and Vicki Berndt. The book shows how dolls, and Japanese anime and manga, along with popular culture and Gothic and fantasy elements, have altered the face of this haunting, sometimes disturbing and challenging art form. A wide range of big-eyed works is featured, and essays by the artists reveal how they came to develop and create their particular visions. As big-eye and fantasy art collide and fuse in a remarkable resurgence, this spectacular and captivating book demonstrates why masterpieces by the leading practitioners of the moment are once again stealing the hearts of the masses.

Speel, an independent expert and enthusiast of painted enamel artwork, discusses the long history of this medium and how methods of enamelling have changed over the years. Using over 80 photographs and illustrations, the author examines details of the artwork, covering such topics as painting miniatures, photographic transfers to enamel and the pioneering work done at the Limoges School. This large, thorough study should be of interest to anyone who appreciates enamel art. Distributed in the US by Ashgate. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Artist and author Caleb Neelon (SONIK) began his graffiti career like anyone else, but the Cambridge, Massachusetts native took a hard right and caught a flight out of town. Deliberately ignoring the obvious global centers of New York, Los Angeles, and London, Caleb painted subject matter close to his heart while making a street presence in places like Kathmandu, Sao Paulo, and Tegucigalpa. Across, around, and in between five continents, indoors and out, Caleb has pulled off some unique, colorful, and heartfelt work both alongside collaborators like Os Gemeos and Andrew Schoultz, as well as in streets where he is the first foreigner let alone street painter to wander in quite some time. Featuring heartfelt travel stories going beyond the artwork to the socio-political situations that surround them, as well as the large-scale gallery installations of Calebs from venues such as the Boston Center for the Arts, Caleb Neelons Book of Awesome provides an overview of the work of this diverse and distinctive artist

By Klara Hobza. Introductions by Klara Hobza, Liz Linden, Rochelle Steiner.