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Art & Culture

Culture and art is many things and at Tales you find a wide selection of art and culture books. If you enjoy a trip to the museum or an evening at the theatre this is the place for you. If you are more into architecture or a well written song, fear not you also find books about that. Lastly design and fashion is also part of our art and culture selection, so what are you waiting for? Set your inner creativity free and get inspired by some of the world’s best artists, musicians, designers or architects.
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  • Save 23%
    - 365 Essential Design Dos and Don'ts
    by Peter Dawson
    £15.49

    365 daily design mantras for both graphic design professionals and the growing group of non-designers who want some guidance.

  • Save 15%
    - 300 Tips, Techniques, Trade Secrets and Templates
    by Bonnie Fitzgerald
    £10.99

    Title: Compendium of Mosaic Techniques, Author: Bonnie Fitzgerald, Publication Year: 2012-08-02, Publisher: Search Press Ltd, Language: eng

  • Save 29%
    by Dark Horse
    £33.99

    Naughty Dog Studios and Dark Horse proudly present the essential companion to The Last of Us, a richly detailed and compelling game set in a postpandemic world where humans have become an endangered species. Featuring concept art, character designs, and astonishing settings and landscapes, The Art of The Last of Us provides a unique look at one of the gaming world's most eagerly anticipated titles. * A must-have companion to the game. * Incredible full-color artwork! * The latest project from Naughty Dog Studios. * The Last of Us swept the top Game Critics awards at 2012's E3 conference.

  • Save 23%
    - 30 Drawing Lessons from the Creator of Akiko
     
    £15.49

    There's more to manga than big, shiny eyes and funky hair. In these action-packed pages, graphic novelist Mark Crilley shows you step-by-step how to achieve an authentic manga style-from drawing faces and figures to laying out awesome, high-drama spreads.

  • Save 24%
    by Jonathan Kirby
    £45.49

    Rock Covers brings you more than 750 album covers that made rock history. From legendary to rare releases, from Elvis Presley to Iron Maiden, these indelible markers of musical memory are accompanied by fact sheets, featured interviews, and top-10 record lists from leading rock collectors.

  • Save 20%
    - The Life of Leonard Cohen
    by Sylvie Simmons
    £11.99

    The genius behind such classic songs as Suzanne, So Long, Marianne, and Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most influential songwriters of our time, a man of spirituality, emotion, and intelligence whose work has explored issues of human life - sex, religion, power, meaning, love. This book explores various facets of Cohen's life.

  • Save 32%
    by Christian Louboutin
    £77.99

    An extraordinary monograph created by Christian Louboutin, renowned for his beautifully crafted handmade shoes, in particular his elegantly sexy stilettos. This stunning volume, with a fanciful and intricate pop-up, an elaborate foldout cover, and dramatic still-life photography, evokes the artistry and theatricality of Louboutin's shoe designs.Celebrated for his vertiginously high stilettos with their signature lacquer-red soles, Louboutin has achieved cult status with celebrities as well as fashionistas. His eclectic and exotic designs, often incorporating feathers, beads, and sequins, are a constant and dramatic presence on the red carpet and in nightclubs and restaurants the world over.Louboutin's first book, this monograph highlights the extraordinary range of his couture, from his iconic and glamorous creations to his fetishistic pieces, including his collaborations with David Lynch, meant more for the bedroom than the street. New photography captures Louboutin's artistic sensibilities, while an in-depth interview reveals Louboutin's life, travels, and inspirations, presenting a very personal look at the man behind the shoes. A work of art in itself, with a five-piece foldout binding and a pop-up, Christian Louboutin is an enticing and revelatory look at the most important luxury shoe designer of our day.The book is divided into six chapters. The first chapter covers Louboutin's biography, his start as a designer from his work for Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent to his first boutique in 1992, and his early creations and influences illustrated with many never-seen-before photos from his personal archives; chapter two features the Louboutin boutiques around the world showcasing the varied and extravagant interior designs and displays; chapter three is "20 years of design" and highlights his shoe designs from over the years with all-new still-life photography, as well as editorial art; chapter four features the spectacular interiors of Louboutin's homes in Paris and Luxor, Egypt, and behind-the-scenes shots from his studios and workshops; chapter five focuses on his creative collaborations with David Lynch, of a series called "Fetish," of limited-edition shoes by Louboutin and limited-edition photos by Lynch; chapter six is a complete catalogue raisonne of his work, with photos of all 120 shoe designs.

  • Save 23%
    by Mario Testino
    £30.99

    Kate + Mario = fashion dynamite. This book is the legendary photographer's personal homage to his greatest muse: a young girl that captured his heart and eye with her beauty, humour and spirit, and whose image in his photographs has captured imaginations the world over. The show-stopping collection includes fashion shoots, candid snaps, and...

  • Save 28%
    - On Being an Angel
    by Francesca Woodman
    £27.49

    Featuring rarely seen photographs by Francesca Woodman, this catalogue accompanies the exhibition at the Moderna Museet.

  • Save 18%
     
    £16.49

    From the opening sequence of Killer's Kiss to the final frames of Eyes Wide Shut, this dazzling collection includes some of Kubrick's most unforgettable shots and revealing interviews, as well as abundant material from his own archives, such as set designs, screenplays, notes, correspondence, and shooting schedules.

  • Save 29%
    by Monica Ramirez-Montagut
    £28.49

    A vibrant look at the celebrated artist and designer KAWS.Multidisciplinary artist KAWS was first known for his work as a graffiti artist and his subersive approach to poular imagery on bus shelter and phone booth advertisements. This is the first comprehensive survey of the artist's body of work.

  • Save 26%
     
    £21.49

    Described by The New York Times as, "a treasure of fashion insiders," Take Ivy was originally published in Japan in 1965, setting off an explosion of American-influenced "Ivy Style" fashion among students in the trendy Ginza shopping district of Tokyo. The product of four sartorial style enthusiasts, Take Ivy is a collection of candid photographs shot on the campuses of America's elite, Ivy League universities. The series focuses on men and their clothes, perfectly encapsulating the unique academic fashion of the era. Whether lounging in the quad, studying in the library, riding bikes, in class, or at the boathouse, the subjects of Take Ivy are impeccably and distinctively dressed in the finest American-made garments of the time. Take Ivy is now considered a definitive document of this particular style, and rare original copies are highly sought after by "trad" devotees worldwide. A small-run reprint came out in Japan in 2006 and sold out almost immediately. Now, for the first time ever, powerHouse is reviving this classic tome with an all-new English translation. Ivy style has never been more popular, in Japan or stateside, proving its timeless and transcendent appeal. Take Ivy has survived the decades and is an essential object for anyone interested in the history or future of fashion.

  • by Winifred (The Nottingham Trent University) Aldrich
    £23.99

    Offers a reference source for the practising designer. This edition includes chapter on computer aided design now has full colour illustrations and reflects the growing importance of CAD to the industry and as a part of fashion and design courses. It is suitable for students of fashion and design.

  • - For Artists, Designers, Poets and Designers
    by Leonard Koren
    £21.49

    An updated version of the classic volume on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.

  • Save 30%
    - The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s
    by Alastair Duncan
    £41.99

    Offers an account of the decorative arts of the Art Deco period. This book celebrates the styles rich variety of form and its diverse international roots as the very factors that make it a perennial favourite of modern collectors and designers.

  • by Marion Harewood & Fanny Waterman
    £9.49

    Suitable for older beginners, this book features chapters that guide young players towards the successful performance of a comprehensive selection of pieces and studies. It introduces more advanced pieces and a wider range of repertoire from CPE Bach and WF Bach, Farnaby and Couperin, to Kabelevsky and Britten.

  • Save 29%
    - Timeless Interiors
    by Axel Vervoordt
    £31.99

    A rare insight into the stunning interiors created by one of the world's leading antiques dealers. Axel Vervoordt's Castle of s'Gravenwezel and his Kanaal gallery in Belgium attract visitors from all over the world. Previous books on Vervoordt have brought the splendid objects on display in these remarkable locations to an even wider audience. In this new work, the great antiques dealer reveals for the first time the other interiors he has created in locations both in Europe and the United States. The extent of Vervoordt's talent is revealed in the unique atmosphere of the twenty-three houses presented in this book. The variety of styles reflects Vervoordt's love of eclecticism, and his authentic and welcoming interiors are inspirational for amateurs and professionals alike. From a Swiss chalet to a Miami mansion or a Bordeaux château,Vervoordt's creations are perfectly in tune with the character and history of each space.

  • Save 21%
    - The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-95
    by Joe Sacco
    £14.99

    In late 1995 and early 1996, cartoonist/reporter Joe Sacco travelled four times to Gorazde, a UN-designated safe area during the Bosnian War, which had teetered on the brink of obliteration for three and a half years.

  • Save 23%
    by Naoto Fukasawa
    £16.99

  • Save 15%
     
    £10.99

    From his early work for "Vogue" to his portraits of the rich and famous, Helmut Newton (1920-2004) conveyed a unique vision of a wealthy and glamorous world that often shocks but never ceases to fascinate. This book presents about sixty of his instantly recognizable shots of haute couture and the beau monde.

  • Save 29%
    - The Complete Illuminated Books
    by David Bindman
    £28.49

    This volume contains every page of Blake's 20 or so illuminated books, reproduced in facsimile. It features his great prophetic poems, for example, "Jersualem" and "Songs of Innocence and of Experience".

  • Save 17%
    by Harold Speed
    £11.99

    Much of the learning to practice as well as to appreciate art is concerned with understanding the basic principles. One of these principles is what Harold Speed calls "dither," the freedom that allows realism and the artistic vision to play against each other. Very important to any artist or work of art, this quality separates the scientifically accurate from the artistically accurate. Speed's approach to this problem is now considered a classic, one of the few books from the early years of this century that has continued to be read and recommended by those in the graphic arts.In this work, Harold Speed approaches this dynamic aspect of drawing and painting from many different points of view. He plays the historical against the scientific, theory against precise artistic definition. He begins with a study of line drawing and mass drawing, the two basic approaches the artist needs to learn. Further sections carry the artistic vision through unity and variety of line and mass, balance, proportion, portrait drawing, the visual memory, materials, and procedures. Throughout, Speed combines historical backgrounds, dynamic aspects which each technique brings to a work of art, and specific exercises through which the young draughtsman may begin his training. Although not a technique book in the strict sense of the terms, The Practice and Science of Drawing brings to the beginner a clear statement of the principles that he will have to develop and their importance in creating a work of art. Ninety-three plates and diagrams, masterfully selected, reinforce Speed's always clear presentation.Harold Speed, master of the art of drawing and brilliant teacher, has long been cited for this important work. For the beginner, Speed will develop a sense for the many different aspects which go into an artistic education. For the person who enjoys looking at drawings and paintings, Speed will aid developing the ability to see a work of art as the artist meant it to be seen.

  • Save 23%
    by Kelly Bishop
    £15.49

  • Save 20%
    by Carl Magnus Palm
    £11.99

  • Save 14%
    by Warner Brothers
    £9.49

    Experience your favourite characters and enchanting scenes from one of the most famous fantasy worlds ever created - Middle-earth - in a brilliant new way with this official colouring book based on the epic The Lord of the Rings film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.

  • Save 27%
    by Allan Kozinn
    £21.99

    The follow-up to The McCartney Legacy, Volume 1, the most complete work on the life and work of Paul McCartney ever published. Volume 2 continues to paint the portrait of one of the world's greatest musicians, his work post-Beatles, and his life from 1974 to 1980. By 1974 the Beatles were a distant memory, and Paul McCartney had already gone on to release a solo album and form a new band, Wings. By the end of the decade Wings would be the bestselling band of the 1970s. The McCartney Legacy, Vol. 2 begins in 1974 at the height of Wings popularity and the beginning of McCartney's next chapter. Picking up immediately after The McCartney Legacy, Volume 1, authors Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair have brought the same exhaustive research ethos to Volume 2 that made the first volume a critical success. Arguably the most authoritative text on the life of Paul McCartney, Volume 2 follows McCartney the man, establishing himself as a musician beyond Beatlemania and his legacy throughout the 20th century through the present day.

  • Save 23%
    by Cassandra Clare
    £15.49

    Celebrate the magic of the Mortal Instruments with this gorgeous new Collector's Edition, complete with stunning new cover artwork and a letter from Cassie.A must-have gift for any Shadowhunter fan, revisit the magic with this lavish new hardback edition of City of Glass, featuring new cover art, stunning endpapers and a letter from Cassie.Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and other Downworlders - or against them. Meanwhile, Jace and Clary have their own decision to make: should they pursue the love they know is a mortal sin?

  • Save 14%
    by Brandon Sanderson
    £9.49

  • Save 10%
    by L. J. Smith
    £8.99

    Elena, believing she was helping her boyfriend, Stefan, is tricked by his brother Damon into exchanging blood with him - little realising that this will transform her into a vampire too. Now crazed with her own wild craving for blood, it is up to Stefan to save her - but first he must find a way to end his feud with Damon...

  • Save 20%
    by Peter Braun
    £23.99

    The essential guide for the collector of mechanical wristwatches, with complete information on over 1,400 models from 130 international brands

Culture
What defines culture you might ask? The answer is culture is what defines you. It is what makes us humans human and differentiate us from all other species on the planet. Art and culture is what we share with others, whether it is so called high culture or pop culture. High culture is typically associated with the ‘finer’, classical art forms such as opera, classical music, visual art, ballet and plays. Works that often have a certain age and artistic acknowledgement begin it, but fine culture is also sometimes seen as “high-brow” and not something everyone can understand and that’s sad, because culture and cultural books are for everyone no matter the kind. On the other end of the spectrum we have pop culture that typically is associated with more modern, popular and mainstream forms of culture. It can be pop music, cartoons or big blockbuster movies. We have cultural books from each side of the spectrum, but the best thing is that a change between the two concepts is coming and people are more open about mixing high culture and pop culture, because they are not that different at all. The most important thing about culture is that it connects us and is part of who we are. It can create communities and friendships, but also let us reflect upon ourselves. You can get wiser on that topic in some of our selection’s culture books. 

Art
In our selection you find some of the finest art books featuring some of the greatest artists in history and now. Art is a very important part of our culture. In art you have the possibility of getting engrossed in a wonderful painting, a provocative sculpture, a brilliant play or a beautiful ballet. 
In art you can get lost in the most wonderful stories and themes and identify yourself with someone who doesn’t necessarily look and act like you. By experiencing that you improve your ability of empathy. At the same time you can learn about yourself through art and art books especially when it comes to feelings that can be difficult to describe. In art the themes and problematics are universal and that’s why we feel recognized when experiencing a play, listening to a symphony, studying a great painting or reading a good art book. The art books are best enjoyed in a relaxed setting giving the art room to speak. 
Another beautiful thing about art is that it needs interpretation. When a person meets a well painted painting, a classical sculpture, or a provocative installation it makes us reflect about what it means, and what the art will tell us about society, life or yourself. Everyone can get something different out of a good artwork, because it speaks directly to you and functions as a dialog, where you will have to finish the sentence with your interpretation taking our own life and experiences into the artwork.
We also have a lot of artist books. One of the most talented and popular artists right now are the world famous Dane Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi has a very significant way of painting giving voice to the melankolic side of the world and of us humans. The painter is famous for his artworks of especially white doors in his apartment in Copenhagen. In the paintings Hammershøi plays with light and shadow in a brilliant way giving room to both sides, which also could be seen as a reflection of life that contains both. The motive also makes the art watcher wonder what is on the other side of the doors or corridors making them compose a continuation of the painting. You can read about Hammershøi in an European context in the artist book Hammershoi and Europe

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