I end up doing a post like this every year, usually is because I’ve received the Taschen Catalog – well this year is no different so step up and enjoy.
America Swings, Naomi Harris
I want to buy this book, although to be honest I also don’t want to be that guy with the creepy books that no one else understands. I think the photo’s I’ve seen are fascinating and outerworldly – but so very american.
From the Taschen web site:
Naomi Harris’s subjects are not the usual perfected androids who populate contemporary erotica, but ordinary people with extraordinary sex lives; this book explores a rarely-seen side of sex in America.
Christopher Wool
This book features writing from Richard Hell and Glen O’Brien. Oh yeah, on top of that it’s a thousand dollars – signed and numbered of course.
From the Taschen web site:
Covering all work phases in large-scale reproductions and accompanied by extensive texts as well as production Polaroids and installation photos by Wool himself.
Six-inch Wraparound Canvas Pliers from John Annesly
These canvas pliers are the best I’ve seen and used for larger canvas. They are big and strong – but be careful the first time I used them I actually tore the canvas.
Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors
Carl Plansky has been making paint since the mid eighties. As he traveled he would research the history of painting and the relationship between painters and paintmakers. In France he bought colors from the houses that had made paints for Monet, Matisse, and Cezanne and analyzed their paint to see how fine or coarse the grind was and to determine where they found their pigments and oils. With this same passion, He now searches for the most beautiful raw materials in the world, importing pigments from dozens of countries. Frankly making the best paint I’ve ever used.
price = not cheap (that’s why they are good for holiday presents)
Moleskine Cahiers
Some people like them in black, but I prefer them in the kraft paper cover – a light slim and nicely made sketchbook with no wire binding that will last almost forever. Besides Bruce Chatwin, Matisse and Andre Breton cant all be wrong
About 15 bucks for three of the larger ones
Music:
I have a rule here: no greatest hits albums. Greatest hits albums are for housewives and little girls. (no offense, but I think you know what I mean)
Spiritualized, Songs in A&E;
Songs in A&E; is the sixth studio album from Jason Pierce’s Spiritualized and the first since 2003’s Amazing Grace; drawing on his recent near death experience as well as his usual themes of love, god and drugs. The sound is stripped back the songs are still soulful and hugely epic. Stunning melodies, stompers, big orchestral pop and delicate ballads all come correct and that will please long time fans, as well as people new to pierce’s work
David Byrne and Brian Eno, Everything that happens will happen today
This is the first collaboration of David Byrne and Brian Eno in nearly 30 years. that release was ‘my life in the bush of ghosts’ which was a combination of jittery dub, afro-influenced funk and borrowed voices and sounds. Eveything That Happens Will Happen Today is a collection of what Byrne describes as ‘proper songs’, with Eno providing the music and Byrne the vocals and lyrics – but neither party has lost the capacity for the kind of unprecedented blue-sky thinking that fuelled their previous collaboration’s most groundbreaking aspects.
Craft Design Technology, small adhesive notes $6.00
These are the best things ever, and I hate sticky notes.
Parkhaus Pencil Pouch
It’s made of wool, its nice to keep your pencils in, and finally its a small piece of luxury you can afford. 37.00