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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 22%
    by Dayton Ward
    £13.99

    Based on the blockbuster film series, this official in-world cookbook takes you straight to Isla Nublar and serves up some mighty meals inspired by the T. rex, velociraptors, and other unforgettable dinosaurs of the Jurassic World film series.

  • Save 15%
    - From Basic Shapes to Amazing Drawings in Super-Easy Steps
    by Janet Whittle
    £10.99

    Learn to draw 100 of your favourite blooms in 6 easy steps.

  • Save 14%
    - The Eddie Van Halen Story
    by Paul Brannigan
    £9.49

    From the moment their hugely influential 1978 debut landed, Van Halen set a high bar for the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, creating an entirely new style of post-'60s hard rock becoming the quintessential Californian band of the 1980s.

  • Save 23%
    - Collecting and wearing designer classics
    by Caroline Cox
    £15.49

    Vintage Jewellery recounts 120 years of history. The book explores the key designers and jewellery houses, technical developments and cultural influences that shaped jewellery design and shows you how to collect and wear vintage pieces.

  • Save 23%
    - Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics
    by Harriet Quick & Emma Baxter-Wright
    £15.49

    Presents a visual journey through the fashion of the decades. This book enables the reader to identify key designers, shapes, textiles, stitching, and other details and characteristics that define the most influential pieces of the twentieth century. It offers an overview of the designers of the time and their key influences.

  • Save 29%
    by Karolyn Kiisel
    £28.49

  • Save 31%
    by Vikki Tobak
    £54.99

    Schmuck ist und bleibt eine Säule der Hiphop-Kultur - egal, ob es um diamantenbesetzte "Grillz", überdimensionale "truck style"-Anhänger, bust down-Rolex- und Patek Phillippe-Uhren, oder eine Tiffany-Halskette geht. Der exzessive Bling ist das glitzernde Statement einer kollektiven Identität - kompromisslos, charismatisch und mit viel Street-Smartness.Ice Cold. A Hiphop Jewelry History umspannt die gesamte Geschichte des Hiphop-Schmucks von den 1980ern bis heute - es ist die fantastische Verbindung des Hiphop-Narrativs und seiner Visualisierung. Hunderte von ungewöhnlichen Fotos präsentieren alle wichtigen Hip-hopkünstler und feiern "Ice" als den Ausdruck der Identität und Selbstdarstellung.Nach den Anfängen mit Run-DMCs goldenen adidas-Anhängern und Eric B. & Rakims pompösen Dookie-Ketten und Mercedes-Medaillons entwickelt sich der Hiphop-Schmuck vom Street-Accessoire zu einer boomenden Designkultur. Die Tradition des Schaulaufens erreicht neue Höhepunkte mit Künstlern wie Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Gucci Mane, und Cardi B, deren immer exklusiveren Schmuckstücke Motive aus der Popkultur integrieren, unkonventionelle Materialien verwenden und wiederholt auch Kollaborationen mit Künstlern wie Takashi Murakami eingehen.Die Autorin Vikki Tobak zeigt mit vielen Beispielen die Arbeiten von Schmuckpionieren wie Tito Caicedo of Manny's, Eddie Plein, und Jacob the Jeweler bis hin zu neueren Künstlern wie Avianne & Co., Ben Baller/IF & Co., Greg Yuna, Johnny Dang, Eliantte und vielen mehr.Ice Cold ist die umfassende Schau eines schillernden, inspirierenden Stils, zu der die führenden zeitgenössischen Fotografen beitragen: Wolfgang Tillmans, Janette Beckman, Jamel Shabazz, Timothy White, Gillian Laub, David LaChapelle, Danny Clinch, Phil Knott, Raven B. Varona, Al Pereira, Albert Watson und viele andere.Das Vorwort von Slick Rick und Essays von A$AP Ferg, LL COOL J, Kevin "Coach K" Lee und Pierre "P" Thomas von Quality Control Music nehmen uns auf eine sehr persönliche Reise in ihr Schmuck-Universum mit.Ice Cold geht dabei weit über den ostentativen Bling hinaus, um dessen transformative Geschichte zu enthüllen, die sowohl laut als auch stolz ist.

  • Save 12%
    - A Construction Guide - Bundle Book + Studio Access Card
    by Denis (Savannah College of Art and Design Antoine
    £56.99

    Since its first publication, Classic Tailoring Techniques for Menswear has been the authoritative resource for custom hand tailoring production. Providing in-depth, step-by-step instructions for the processes required by bespoke and couture-level manufacturing, this book retains its value and relevance for young and established tailors alike. Continuing this great tradition, the third edition introduces new discussions of traditional tailoring processes in the industry and highlights the value of hand-crafted construction in the context of environmentally-sustainable design. New to this Edition:- Learning Objectives let you know what you'll learn in each chapter - New Tricks of the Trade feature offers helpful tips - End of chapter discussion questions help you test your knowledge of the chapter concepts- A new, extended Glossary and Key Terms throughout emphasize a renewed focus on essential vocabulary STUDIO Features Include:- Download additional student exercises to practice newly learned skills- Review concepts with flashcards of essential vocabulary Instructor Resources Include:- The Instructor's Guide provides suggestions for planning the course and using the text in the classroom- PowerPoint® presentations include images from the book and provide a framework for lecture and discussion

  • Save 24%
    by Will Butler-Adams
    £18.99

  • Save 10%
    by Louis Theroux
    £8.99 - 15.49

    A funny, revealing and insightful take on the madness of living and working during a pandemic from the always entertaining Louis Theroux.

  • Save 14%
    - The Complete, Authorised and Uncut Interviews
    by Oasis
    £9.49

    The first-ever authorised book from Oasis, one of the biggest bands on the planet.

  • Save 30%
    by Tyler Brule
    £41.99

  • Save 10%
    - The Thai Cave Rescue
    by John Volanthen
    £8.99

    John Volanthen is a legendary British cave-diver and one of the two-man team who discovered and rescued the Wild Boars soccer team from the sunken cave in Tham Luang, Thailand. Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives is the deeply revealing and nail-biting account of that incredible rescue.

  • Save 25%
    by Kaffe Fassett
    £19.49

    Kaffe has chosen the medieval English village of Lavenham in Suffolk to show off this exquisite new collection of 19 quilts.

  • - Doing Law in the 21st Century
    by Astrid Kohlmeier & Meera Klemola
    £66.99

  • - Master the Soloing Language of the Bebop Saxophone Legends for Jazz Guitar
    by Tim Pettingale, Ulf Wakenius & Joseph Alexander
    £17.99

  • Save 16%
    by Gareth Edwards
    £15.99

    Abstract landscape painting expresses emotion while still capturing the essence of a landscape. This compelling book explores this suggestive style first developed by Turner. Using the hauntingly-beautiful paintings of Gareth Edwards, it explores the technical, historical and psychological dimensions of abstract landscape painting to help you develop your own skilful and intensely personal approach. Through this new book you can learn about how to begin an abstract landscape painting, using chance application; understand how to `manage accidents¿ to create innovative pieces of work; discover the importance of effective composition and how this navigates the viewer¿s journey; determine the importance of the `invisible¿ elements of painting: the unspoken value of the viewer and the influence of `looking¿. It also reveals how to utilize a convergence of linear and atmospheric perspective to help your viewer traverse the picture plane and helps you understand the importance of light, space, colour, and tone in generating evocative paintings. Finally, it encourages you to be more demanding of your surface, using textural techniques and glazing to achieve professional production values. It is a unique and exciting book into this under-documented genre.

  • Save 20%
    by Sophie Howarth
    £11.99

    The hurried person's guide to mindful photography, peaceful contemplation and a slow creative practice, including hands-on assignments, enlightening concepts and inspirational stories. In a world where millions of images are shot at every moment of every day and where fast-paced environments exhaust and stifle creativity, The Mindful Photographer proposes an antidote: slowing down. Through twenty concepts as varied as ?Confidence', ?Gratitude', ?Playfulness' and ?Compassion', all combined with hands-on assignments, Sophie Howarth invites readers to reflect on their photographic practice and learn to pause, pay attention and become more at one with the world around them. From the canonical to the contemporary, The Mindful Photographer features the works of photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edward Weston, Sally Mann, Sarker Protick, Nadav Kander, Kate Kirkwood, Rinko Kawauchi, and many more. Their images are accompanied by quotes, stories and anecdotes to inspire the reader, simultaneously broadening their photographic knowledge and creative perspectives. Putting aside preconceived ideas and the competitive pressures of picture-perfect Instagram posts, the book rewires our relationship to photographic practice as one to be experienced as unconditionally joyful and rewarding. Sophie Howarth's insightful and soothing texts work as a guide to both a mindful approach to photography, and a photographic approach to meditation. Offered in a highly affordable and pocketable format, this will be the must-have companion for anyone seeking the spiritual benefits of creative practice and a more mindful approach to engaging with their world through photography.

  • Save 29%
    - 100 Pedals of the World's Greatest Guitarists
    by Eilon Paz
    £29.99

    Stompbox is a captivating book penned by the renowned author Eilon Paz. Published in the year 2021, this book is a delightful addition to the literary world. The genre of the book is hard to pin down, as it traverses a unique space, much like the author's writing style. Eilon Paz has a knack for weaving words in a way that immerses the reader in the narrative, making 'Stompbox' a must-read. The book was brought to the public by the esteemed publisher, Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. If you're looking for a book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, 'Stompbox' is the one for you. Dive into the world of Eilon Paz with 'Stompbox' and experience a literary journey like no other.

  • Save 18%
     
    £11.49

    An elegant collection of Christian Dior's maxims on style, women and inspiration, presented in a fashionable gift format. Credited with creating some of the most luxurious and spectacular haute couture pieces of all time, Christian Dior became a fashion icon overnight in 1947 with the launch of his 'New Look' - sumptuous hourglass silhouettes that provided a welcome tonic to the austerity of wartime. Its wild success, and the global fame that ensued, was built on the designer's subtle understanding of fashion, couture, style, elegance and women - a perspective and insight best revealed in Dior's own words, which are gathered here for the first time. Rightly described as the 'Designer of Dreams' in the recent blockbuster exhibition on the house of Dior that attracted millions of visitors the world over, Christian Dior was an unrivalled arbiter in the world of high fashion. Dior was generous with his advice on all things, from style and how to dress ('No elegant woman follows fashion blindly', he once declared), to his insights into the creative process, invaluable for any budding designer. Presented in a beautiful package and accessible format, The World According to Christian Dior is the perfect gift for fashion fans, publishing on the occasion of the house's 75th anniversary.

  • - Pearl Jam and the Present Tense
    by USA) Givony & Ronen (Independent Scholar
    £17.49 - 32.99

  • Save 31%
    by Daniel Kothenschulte
    £51.99

    In TASCHEN's first volume of one of the most expansive illustrated publications on Disney animation, 1,500 images take us to the beating heart of the studio's "Golden Age of Animation." Derived from the XXL book, this new edition again includes behind-the-scenes photos, story sketches, and cel setups of famous film scenes. It spans each of the...

  • Save 29%
    - Vol. 1: The Quest for the Perfect Watch (Patek Philippe Collection); Vol. 2: The Emergence of the Portable Timekeeper (Antique Collection)
    by Dr. Peter Friess
    £35.49

    Dr. Peter Friess, curator of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, presents a fascinating insight into the wonderful world of watchmaking. The result is a publication that arouses (almost) as much desire as a watch from Patek Philippe.

  • - Easy Tips and Tricks - Apply These 7 Secret Techniques To Improve your Drawings, How to Draw Eyes, Portraits, Dogs and Flowers
    by Ernest M
    £13.49

  • Save 21%
    by Maja and Reuben Fowkes
    £13.49

  • - Play by Number
    by Veda Gupta
    £11.49

  • Save 24%
    - an illustrated history
    by Martyn Rix
    £18.99

    The book brings together and shows for the first time ever striking botanical art of Indian origin spanning a period of three hundred years, focussing in particular on the 18th and 19th centuries. Drawn mostly from original works held in the collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, some of the paintings have never been published before.

  • Save 27%
    - Moving Focus
    by Helen Little
    £25.49

    A panoramic new perspective on the life and work of Britain's most important artists: David Hockney.

  • Save 20%
    - Creativity with Watercolors
    by Terry Runyan
    £11.99

    Painting Happiness offers playful, expressive watercolour painting techniques and projects that will help you find your calm.

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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