OZ | May 29th, 2009
| Books |
| Bookmark
Bioshock Breaking the Mold: Developer’s Edition Art Book
“This 174 page, 8″x10″ limited run soft cover artbook, available only on the Take-Two Store, features never-before seen art from BioShock 1, stories about the game?s journey through its years of development, commentary from the team, an introduction by 2K Marin?s Executive Producer Alyssa Finley, several new sections, and much more.”
Editor’s Note: The art of Bioshock is among the finest in gaming history. That fans voted three other items over an art book for the Collector’s Edition was a travesty. Now rectified thanks to Bioshock Community Manager Elizabeth Tobey. Art reproduction is of a high quality, accompanied by numerous snippets of development insight from various team members. A thick perfect bound volume, it lacks the high end hardcover quality of the genre’s upper echelon art books. However this doesn’t detract, thanks to its styling, it almost come across like a relic from Rapture itself. If the $25 price tag is undesirable, the original and shorter PDF art book is available for download.
Paperback | 174 pages | Take 2 | May 2009
Continue reading ‘Book Watch | Bioshock to Nature’s Patterns’
OZ | May 4th, 2009
| Architecture and TV |
| Bookmark
NBC’s Kings has proven the most fascinating new television series of the mid-season. A reinterpretation of the classic King David tale translated into modern times, monarchy intact.
New York City serves as the basis for the new capital of this modern kingdom, Shiloh, retrofitted with visual effects and apt production design as done so effectively in director Francis E. Lawrence’s previous work, I Am Legend.
A long, straight road leads to Shiloh’s centerpiece landmark, evoking at least in effect, the East-West axis of Hitler and Speer’s Welthauptstadt Germania. Except here there is no Arch of Triumph or Volkshalle, rather a prominent skyscraper, its black angled facades reminiscent of a stealth fighter shrouding the monarchy’s political machinations. Its position in the skyline unimpeded by competing distinctive skyscrapers; the Chrysler and Empire State Building are nowhere to be seen.
Continue reading ‘A New Kindgom’
OZ | May 4th, 2009
| Architecture, Books and Film |
| Bookmark
During the nineteenth century, European and American artists flocked to Eastern cultures, from Morocco to India. Their works fueled the exotic and mythical perception of the Orient with cinematic depictions of islamic culture that continue to influence the arts today. These artists are commonly referred to as the Orientalists.
Last year while exploring and working in Marrakech I came across numerous books on or related to the topic. Following are some noteworthy selections.
If you’re ever in Marrakech, be sure to visit the oldest book store in Marrakech, open since 1948, it can be found within the medina’s souks. Publisher ACR also has a well stocked shop buried in Gueliz, the city’s French section.
Continue reading ‘Book Watch | Orientalists’
OZ | March 24th, 2009
| Architecture and Games |
| Bookmark
Since the turn of the century, repurposed spaces have proliferated, spurred by 21st century cultural influences and the green initiative. It’s redefining the urban fabric, evident here in Lower Manhattan where the world’s commercial mecca has become increasingly residential since 2001. More creative endeavours have led to efforts including the iconic
Freitag store in Zurich and a
Redondo Beach house, both utilizing the ever popular recycled shipping container.
Recently, the most creative repurposed structures have existed in the digital realm of games, from Mirror’s Edge to Fallout 3.
Continue reading ‘Gaming’s Repurposed Spaces’
OZ | March 24th, 2009
| Books |
| Bookmark
21st-Century Masterpieces - Architecture of the New Millennium
“A concise overview of the most extraordinary landmarks built around the world since the turn of the millennium including stadia, theatres, museums, offices, government buildings, chapels and retail spaces.
Features such noteworthy projects as the Casa da Música in Portugal by OMA, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in the United States by Frank Gehry, Federation Square in Australia by Bates Smart, and the National Stadium in China by Herzog & de Meuron.
Includes a descriptive text for each project, accompanied by an extensive selection of exterior and interior photographs, plans and architectural drawings.”
Editor’s Note: This inexpensive hardcover volume will hit shelves along with 21st Century Houses. Both appear derived from the hefty Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture.
Hardcover | 160 pages | Phaidon | May 2009
Continue reading ‘Book Watch | From Burma to Chicago’
OZ | February 28th, 2009
| Books |
| Bookmark
Book Watch is a new periodic feature highlighting noteworthy upcoming and recent releases in architecture, design and photography. On occasion, this will include books not yet revealed to the general public and newly discovered older titles of note. A concerted effort is made to view books prior to their inclusion in Book Watch.
This series will supplement ArTect.net’s focus on editorials and unique stories, infusing new content with greater regularity.
Authors and publishers are welcome to submit publications for consideration in Book Watch via ArTect.net’s contact form.
10×10_3
“A global, up-to-the-minute overview of contemporary architecture selected by ten prominent members of the international architecture community. Features the work of 100 rising stars curated by Shumon Basar, Mercedes Daguerre, Luis Fernández-Galiano, Bart Goldhoorn, Joseph Grima, Carlos Jimenez, Kengo Kuma, Andrew Mackenzie, Peter Cachola Schmal and Ai Weiwei.
Selected projects include “a variety of buildings from private houses and apartments to schools, offices and stadia that redefine architecture, exploring never-before-used materials and proving that ‘green’ is the new standard in innovative design.” 1500 color illustrations and 300 line drawings.
Editor’s Note: Based on the sheer wealth of work and quality of presentation in its predecessors, this is one to watch.
Hardcover | 448 pages | Phaidon | May/June 2009
Continue reading ‘Book Watch | Massive Black, Monochrome & More’
We are somewhat conditioned to think of architecture via construction. Yet this isn’t always the case.
In Mahabalipurum, India reside five Rathas temples, Chariots of the Gods, carved from a single to five large slabs of granite (sources vary). Known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas, they represent an evolution in Dravidian style architecture. A progression from rock cut caves whose pinnacle was reached elsewhere at Petra. Yet these ornate freestanding structures situated in a sandy compound amidst Casuarina trees, were built purely by subtraction, carved from the top down.
Architecture by subtraction was also the process used to create spaces in computer gaming’s The Dark Engine. The engine was developed in the mid nineties by Looking Glass Technologies and put to use in their fabled titles, Thief I & II and System Shock 2. Documentation for the level editor, DromED, describes the process.
Continue reading ‘Architecture by Subtraction’
OZ | January 15th, 2009
| Architecture and Websites |
| Bookmark
Down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) in Brooklyn, resides the former Grand Union Tea Company warehouse. Entering the understated foyer one is greeted by welcoming aromas from a small coffee bar, wedged next to a staircase. One that leads to a bar and restaurant with an atmosphere befitting the latest mecca of artists in New York.
A quick walk up another flight of steps leads you to one of the building’s earliest post renovation occupants, the corner office of March. Here against the rustic load bearing walls is a dash of modernism where custom white desks, shelves, partitions and doors featuring meticulously flush edges, offer insight into the partners design sensibilities and attention to detail.
March is at the avant-garde of a new breed of architecture practice dedicated to digital architecture.
Continue reading ‘March Arrives’
OZ | January 15th, 2009
| Architecture, Film and Print |
| Bookmark
Through issue sixteen of the superlative MARK Magazine, Tino Schaedler and Alice Charlotte have offered a commentary on the production design of Hollywood’s latest releases. In an ArTect.net online exclusive, three of the articles originally featured in the Cross Section segment of issues 12, 13 and 16, are now available for download in pdf format.
The Golden Compass
The Darjeeling Limited
The Dark Knight
OZ | December 19th, 2008
| Film |
| Bookmark
Infinite white spaces have proliferated as a basis for virtual realities, exemplified by the Matrix film trilogy. In the most iconic example, an armory session begins with gun racks rushing toward the screen. A visual demonstrated in the trailers that helped catapult the Matrix to box office success. One that inspired other works including the once oft-played commercial, AutoTrader Whoosh.
The aforementioned scene ultimately overshadowed a more intriguing infinite white space. In the Matrix Reloaded, six off-white clad individuals arranged in circular formation constitute Zion Control. It’s a utopic sight as they manipulate multi-touch HUD’s atop physically three dimensional wireframe visuals. A scaled blueprint replication of reality, stylized to match the aesthetically pleasant grayscale interface.
Continue reading ‘Zion Control’
