Carsten Höller's Expanded Book of Games Offers 336 Antidotes to Boredom

Carsten Höller has released an expanded second edition of his Book of Games, featuring 336 activities designed to combat boredom in social situations. The 336-page hardcover volume, published by Taschen for £40, includes six categories of games for solo players, pairs, and groups. This edition builds on the original pocket-sized version released 25 years ago, which Höller created after enduring a tedious gallery dinner. Games range from simple optical illusions like creating a floating sausage with fingers to more provocative social experiments like streaking through crowded spaces. The book incorporates images from various sources including Höller himself and works by artists Rachel Rose, Julien Creuzet, and Wolfgang Tillmans. One highlighted game called 'Dead Beetle' offers a method for escaping awkward social interactions by playing dead. Höller's work frequently examines human behavior and interaction, with this publication continuing his exploration through sensory and psychological manipulation. The games can be interpreted as pranks, performances, or social experiments that engage unwitting participants. Available from November 2024 through ArtReview, the book provides structured activities for transforming mundane experiences into playful engagements.