Jean Nouvel book signing, Taschen (Thu 30 Oct)

Taschen welcomed customers to its chic, Starck-designed Paris store Thursday night to meet its newest author. Jean Nouvel by Jean Nouvel. Complete Works 1970-2008 celebrates the Pritzer prize-winning architect. One of the most original and innovative of architects, Jean Nouvel is famous for his work across the globe (Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris; Lyon Opera House, Lyon; Fondation Cartier, Paris… ) Limited to 1,000 signed and numbered copies packaged in a translucent plexiglass slipcase, and reminiscent of the facades often seen in Jean Nouvel designs, the two-volume hardcover is filled mostly with photography, but also incorporates the artist’s sketches, explanations and diagrams. The photographs fill entire pages, and capture the buildings from all angles, distances and times of day. The lens provides the familiar sense of wonder and awe that accompany Nouvel’s works. Between the pictures and captions, we enter his creative psyche. We learn about deliberate reflection, which may add complexity to a museum’s architecture or bring life to a building by hearkening city life. (500€) EM