GIVEAWAY - Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art

What happens to us is irrelevant to the world's geology but what happens to the world's geology is not irrelevant to us. We must reconcile ourselves to the stones. Not the stones to us. - Hugh MacDiarmid, excerpt from
On a Raised Beach, 1934

Black Dog Publishing specializes in beautifully produced books that represent a fresh, eclectic take on contemporary culture. Their titles cover a wide range of interests, including art, architecture, design, fashion, music & environmental concerns. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art for review.

My initial reaction upon receipt is that the book itself is beautiful. With over 200 pages, this hardback book is filled with a wide variety of color photos & information on a subject I've never given much thought to, a fact I berated myself for while reading the book. I say that because in life we are surrounded by stone that has been altered by human beings & nature into works of art.

Stone is a photographic journey through the traditional processes of extracting stone, showing the beauty of the material, and the way it is used today in contemporary sculpture. The book depicts the work of the Edinburgh College of Art’s Stone Project, led by Professor Jake Harvey, Professor Noe Mendelle and Joel Fisher; and their three years of research-based travel to countries around the world — explored through essays, case studies, photographs & film stills.

The trio guides readers through the traditional processes of extracting stone & the plethora of tools & techniques used. Simultaneously, the authors delve into the history of stone work while situating it within contemporary practice. The authors follow stone’s journey from its birthplace, through the various methods of extraction, exploring the material’s evolution into something new with an array of sculptural techniques. Contemporary stone sculpture and stone carving is also featured within the book, with artists using stone within their practice being highlighted — such as Marc Quinn, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Gerard Mas, Isamu Naguchi and the late Louise Bourgeois — Stone includes previously unseen images of their work in production, and in some of the many stoneworking ‘laboratories’ and quarries featured.

A visually stimulating title, Stone is the ideal introduction to stone work & the perfect addition to the bookshelves of those with an interest in arts, crafts & architecture. I promise that once you read this book, you won't look at stone in the same mundane way again. If you would like to order this lovely book for you or another person with an appreciation for art (and hard work), you will receive a 40% discount by emailing your delivery address to Jessica Atkins at jess@blackdogonline.com. The same discount offer applies to Black Dog’s latest printmaking book release; The Mechanical Hand: Artists’ Projects at Paupers Press. Include "Funky Finds Discount Offer" in subject line.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Brandi! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art from Black Dog Publishing.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post noting why you would like to receive this title for you or for someone else.

EXTRA ENTRY: Like Black Dog Publishing on Facebook & leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

ENDS: Sunday, May 20 at 9pm CST.

(Pictured: 1. Book Cover; 2. YA AN Long Dong Da Gou Tou Marble Quarry worker in Sichuan, China; 3. Crated Marble Lion from Quyang Carving Workshop in Heibei, China; 4. Seed by Peter Randall-Page, granite; 5. Dual 'Jeanne' portrait by Barry X Ball in Belgian Black Marble, aluminum, stainless steel, wood, acrylic lacquer, steel, nylon & plastic.)

14 comments:

The Belle of New York said...

As a life-long lover or art and architecture, this book would be an absolute dream to have. I adore beautiful stone carvings and sculpture, and I am always blown away by the talent and hard work that it takes to create such things. Judging by the pictures posted here, the book looks like it would mind blowing.

Kathy L. Patrick said...

You may not know this but I was a geology/art major in college and my house is full of rocks. In fact, my great room coffee table is a slab of stone my husband, Jay, and Daddy, Bud Murphy, rolled up out of the Eureka Lake Spillway back home so I could have something of my hometown. Would love to receive a copy of this book and shared this contest with all 537 chapters of my Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs!
Kathy L. Patrick
www.beautyandthebook.com

Caroline said...

I'm an artist and I'm always looking for inspiration. This book looks amazing, the sculptures are beautiful and so well crafted.

coolwhip715(at)hotmail.com

Brandi said...

I'd love to add this book to our bookshelf and/or coffee table. We are always looking for visual stimulation & we collect books - long live print!

brandi (at) myfavoriteflower.com

Anonymous said...

Very interesting & intruiging!

Candissck @ aol.com

taniamc said...

Inspiration is everywhere and this book is such a great example of that. I would love to see everything it has to offer. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

What a cool book! This would be the perfect accessory for the magnificent library I'm going to have in my new house!! I need it!!
ttugraduette98@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I have a 4 month old son who is fascinated by pictures in books. We do story time together and this book would be a nice add to his library. We don't have any books like this one, always nice to have something that would enrich his mind. Thank you!
Wereinlove69@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I wrote the comment above about my son, I just liked BDP on Facebook and left a comment on their page too for the extra entry. :) Really want this for my little man! Thank you!! Nicole email: Wereinlove69@yahoo.com

Ľubaša said...

I would like to win this book for myself. I am not artist but I love art and I visit regularly exhibitions: There are few friends of mine which are artists and I am always fascinated by artistic seeing the world. Thanks
Lubaska
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Ľubaša said...

I liked them on FB (Lubka Kotmanikova)
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would like to win because I love art and books!

lanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com

Patricia Wojnar Crowley said...

I would love to win this book for my nephew...he love science and art! I think this book would be very interesting for him!

Renee said...

I think my daughter and I would have a lovely time looking at the pictures together in this book.