Phaidon's Vitamin 3-D and Creamier publications reviewed for their ephemeral art book formats
Phaidon Press, founded in Vienna in the 1920s and later relocated to London, has a history of experimenting with art book formats. Two recent publications, Vitamin 3-D: New Perspectives in Sculpture and Installation from 2009 and Creamier: Contemporary Art in Culture from 2010, illustrate this trend. Vitamin 3-D profiles 117 artists or collaborative teams with double-page spreads, priced at $75, and claims to be a definitive global survey of contemporary sculpture and installation art. However, its alphabetical listing and competition with online resources may limit its utility. Creamier, costing $39.95, features a tabloid format on pink paper without a spine, with ten curators each selecting ten artists, embracing a democratic yet imposing approach. Both books, part of series named after pharmacy and farm themes, are noted for their built-in obsolescence, contrasting with Phaidon's classic volumes by figures like Heinrich Wölfflin and Jakob Burckhardt. The review critiques their ephemeral nature despite high production values.
Key facts
- Phaidon Press was founded in Vienna in the 1920s and moved to London.
- Vitamin 3-D was published in 2009, profiling 117 artists or collaborative teams.
- Creamier was published in 2010, with ten curators choosing ten artists each.
- Vitamin 3-D is priced at $75 and claims to be a definitive book on contemporary sculpture.
- Creamier is priced at $39.95 and uses a tabloid format on pink paper without a spine.
- Both books are part of series with titles referencing pharmacy and farm themes.
- The review notes built-in obsolescence in these publications.
- Phaidon's classic art books include works by Heinrich Wölfflin and Jakob Burckhardt.
Entities
Artists
- Heinrich Wölfflin
- Jakob Burckhardt
Institutions
- Phaidon Press
- Phaidon Press Inc.
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States