Otl Aicher (1922-1991) was an outstanding personality in modern design; he was a co-founder of the legendary Hochschule fur Gestaltung (HfG); the Ulm School of Design; Germany. His works since the fifties of the last century in the field of corporate design and his pictograms for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich are major achievements in the visual communication of our times. "An integral component of Aichers work is that it is anchored in a "philosophy of making" inspired by such thinkers as Ockham; Kant or Wittgenstein; a philosophy concerned with the prerequisites and aims; the objects and claims; of design. Aichers complete theoretical and practical writings on design (which include all other aspects of visual creativity; such as architecture) are available with this new edition of the classic work. If Aicher prefers the analogous and concrete to the digital and abstract he does it with a philosophical intention. He relativizes the role of pure reason. He criticizes the rationality of Modernism as a result of the dominance of purely abstract thinking. Anyone who prefers the abstract to the concrete does not only misunderstand the mutual dependence of concept and view. In Aichers judgement he is also creating a false hierarchy; a rank order that is culturally fatal. Things that are digital and abstract are not greater; higher and more important than things that are analogous and concrete." Wilhelm Vossenkuhl
#2520451 in eBooks 2015-03-09 2015-03-09File Name: B00UFUVT2I
Review
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful. An important update to understanding Irish manuscriptsBy Steve HeroldThe Book of Kells has long been considered one of the greatest art pieces of human history; and rightfully so. It was not properly studied until the mostly black and white Urs Graf reproduction of the early 1950s; and then seriously updated with the 1974 Thames and Hudson color work of 1974. In that volume Francoise Henry detailed the results of two decades of study that confirmed my research for a doctoral dissertation on the palaeography and calligraphy of the book and its antecedants. Now; in an even finer study of the book (that is best used with the excellent Trinity College CD reproducing all pages); we see the depth of material in the codex and its relationship to both Irish culture and the wider celtic cultural diaspora. Bernard Meehan; who has published an earlier; less scholarly volume on the Book of Kells; has given us an essential resource that permits a wide audience to explore and comprehend the glory of this work. No one interested in Irish art or fine manuscripts should be without this first class study.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. MagnificentBy Robert WalkerI have a book on Kells from about 1978 that was fabulous for its day; but this one by Meehan tops it by far. The reproductions are breath-taking and the text is scholarly to fault. The craftsmanship of fine printing; high quality paper; and excellent binding and book cover make this a museum piece. If youve fondness for this period of art; this book should be in your collection.33 of 35 people found the following review helpful. Beautifull illustrated version of the Book of KellsBy Marco Maia CarneiroAlthough I have not yet read the book cover to cover; it is exactly what I was expecting: a beautifully illustrated version of the Book of Kells. The external wooden case protects it and fits it well; while the pictures bring you the details of the Kells pages (that yoursquo;re not allowed to take from the original book). This is also supposed to be the most thorough book out there about the Book of Kells; as the author spent over 30 years studying and decrypting the book.Congratulations to author and publisher for this one.
