mono.kultur #22
Ai Weiwei: Portrait of a Critical Mind
“I think just walking in the other direction is a smart choice.”

Ai Weiwei is widely viewed as the most important fine artist in China
today. The outspoken critic of the politcal system in China gained
widespread attention not only with his installations and projects for,
among others, Documenta XII and Haus der Kunst, but also his
architectural projects such as the Beijing Olympics Stadium and his
social engagement.

With mono.kultur, Ai Weiwei talked about the fine arts boom in China,
the mind games of architecture and why political activity can be a
work of art.

Autumn 2009 / English / 44 Pages + Fold-Out Poster
Interview by Mathieu Wellner
Artwork by Ai Weiwei
Design by Yvonne Zmarsly
D 4€, EU 5€, WW 6€.

Buy

Piccolo Volume II

This publication follows up the 100 chairs in 100 days book by Martino Gamper. He’s been busy making more chairs, tables to go with, food to eat and additional pieces for the feet, buttocks and eyes. Martino also cut up Ponti—sorry Gio!—resulting in second-hand furnitures which are new to all of us (including to Gio).

24 €

Every Colour by Itself

What is exciting is that it is like a ladybird book but the size of a National Geographic magazine. It is stuffed with 96 pages of incredibly colourful fluorescent pictures of naked men and ladies sculptures by Francis Upritchard. As sculptures have a tendency to show a unique view in publications, they decided to go full frontal and backside for most, side view for some.

18 €

Illustrative is the leading international forum for contemporary illustration and graphic arts. Every year at two different creative cities around the world, the exhibition displays an inspiring collection of current illustrative und graphical art with over 600 works from more than 60 artists.

Over the course of two weeks, the festival celebrates the illustrative arts, presents new talents and trends, exchanges ideas, marvels at progressive technologies, and rediscovers forgotten styles. Illustrative features an exclusive exhibition and shows works from 60 internationally recognised illustrators in addition to hosting conferences, a film program, and parties. Illustrative displays not only the quality and fantasy of the latest graphic arts but also shows how the visual effects of graphic design, illustration, book art, comics, concept art, and animation spill into and influence the field of art.
The exhibition is accompanied by the Young Illustrator Award. The exhibition highlighting the contest winners will display the most intuitive inclinations of the genre and is an exciting measure for new trends.

Established in Berlin in 2006, Illustrative has been held twice in Berlin (2006/2007), once in Paris (2007), and once in Zürich (2008). To guarantee the topicality of the exhibition, before every Illustrative the art works are reconsidered by a curatorial committee lead by Berlin-based curator Pascal Johanssen.

The best editorial of the online blog is now printed on It`s Nice That issue 2.

www.itsnicethat.com

12 Euro

Qompendium Print Publication
Volume 1

Qompendium Print Publication is a selective journey through the multiverse of intentional and unintentional time capsules featuring an array of exceptional pictorial essays, unabridged interviews and supplementary brand editorials.

19 €

Lodown magazine has launched an extra visual-fueled DTP #1 = Desk Top Publishing.
The publication is in a bigger format, presenting the images of paintings, objects, and photography in full playful experiments.
Contributed by various artists such as Tom Sachs, Daniel Joseph, Mike Mills, Stefan Marx and many many more. Available now.

9 Euros

Buy it

The 10th issue of FANTASTIC MAN is graced with Mr. EWAN McGREGOR on the cover, who can also be found inside. Other gentlemen featured in this issue are Swedish scientist and sword swallower Dr. HANS ROSLING, the make-up artist Mr. PETER PHILIPS of CHANEL, plus the vivid and exceptional journalist Mr. HAMISH BOWLES. These insightful profiles are mixed with an array of other curiosities, with topics ranging from steaks to pickpocketing and the options in coat hangers. The fashion in this issue is full of contemporary men looking amazing in an array of surprisingly formal suits, which feels super correct for the mood of the moment. Plus: an exclusive preview of THE GENTLEWOMAN, an upcoming new title from the makers of FANTASTIC MAN.