Cuda Natury

The life of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) was full of complexity and contradictions. As a young man he joined the Catalonian nationalist movement and was critical of the church; toward the end of his life he devoted himself completely to the construction of one single spectacular church, La Sagrada Família. In his youth, he courted a glamorous social life and the demeanor of a dandy. By the time of his death in a tram accident on the streets of Barcelona, his clothes were so shabby that passersby assumed he was a beggar. Gaudí’s incomparable architecture channels much of this multifaceted intricacy. From the shimmering surface textures and skeletal forms of Casa Batlló to the Hispano-Arabic matrix of Casa Vicens, his work merged the influences of Orientalism, natural forms, new materials, and religious faith into a unique Modernista aesthetic. Today, his buildings enjoy global popularity and acclaim; his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família, is the most-visited monument in Spain and seven of his works are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Packed full of expert texts and hundreds of full-color illustrations, including new photography, this book presents Gaudí’s complete oeuvre. Like a personal tour through Barcelona, we explore his residential, religious, and public projects. We see how the “Dante of architecture” was a builder in the truest sense of the word, crafting extraordinary constructions out of minute and mesmerizing details, transforming fantastical visions into realities on the city streets.

The godfather of Italian design Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti (1891–1979) is difficult to pin down. With an extraordinarily prolific output and eclectic style, his oeuvre remains one of the most diverse and groundbreaking in design history. Trained initially in architecture, Ponti soon moved into industrial and interior design, experimenting with ceramics, silverware, and glass. Ponti’s key works are spread throughout this extensive overview, including structures of all kinds, from small residential dwellings to high-rise buildings, schools, and office blocks. The home was one of Ponti’s recurring interests and central areas of innovation. His talent for total design—a careful consideration of both interior and exterior space—is charted in the glossy reproductions, floor plans, and drawings featured in this edition. Ponti’s colorful, carefree, and elegant spaces blended an expressive neoclassicism with emerging modernist sensibility. The founder and nearly lifelong editor of domus magazine never ceased to develop and reinvent his style. From the Denver Art Museum to his collection of churches, from bespoke homeware to the symbol of modern Milan, the Pirelli Tower, this monograph provides an introduction to Ponti’s exuberant creativity and illustrious career.

„W dotychczas dostępnych opracowaniach mogliśmy znaleźć li tylko wyrywkowe opisy faktów i wydarzeń dotyczących gminy Kuryłówka. Dlatego też pojawiła się inicjatywa stworzenia niniejszego albumu, który dedykuję wszystkim zainteresowanym losami naszej małej Ojczyzny.” Tadeusz Halesiak, wójt gminy Kuryłówka

With the sound of the waves crashing against the coastline and the beautifully salty air that dominates the climate, the sea has a majestic and relaxing hold on the mind. This lifestyle of respite also transcends into local architecture and interior design. Life’s A Beach takes readers into beach homes around the world, from the coasts of Australia to the shores of Brazil to the remote islands of the Aegean Sea. Explore the many ways to decorate a cozy home by the sea, including handmade touches, natural materials, and elegant interiors each imbuing a sense of well-being. From humble little beach cottages to extraordinary modern bungalows, these spaces are designed for rest and relaxation, and for enjoying the beachy surrounds.

A good logo can glamorize just about anything. Now available in our popular Klotz format, this sweeping compendium gathers diverse brand markers from around the world to explore the irrepressible power of graphic representation. Organized into chapters by theme, the catalogue explores how text, image, and ideas distill into a logo across events, fashion, media, music, and retailers. Featuring work from both star names and lesser-known mavericks, this is an excellent reference for students and professionals in design and marketing, as well as for anyone interested in the visuals and philosophy behind brand identity.

Kamień i wieniec

W smoleńskim polu kamień i wieniec
I płacz narodu wciąż świeży
I krzyk głośny słychać tych serc co tu zgasły
Choć trudno w to ciągle uwierzyć

Dlaczego ta ziemia ziemia przeklęta
Tę straszną otwiera nam ranę
Dlaczego najpierwsze z twych Polsko dzieci
Znów są w ofierze składane

W katyńskim lesie majestat tej śmierci
Historię powiódł na spowiedź
Słuchajcie więc krzyku serc co tu zgasły
On prawdę o tamtych wam powie

Prawdę o ludziach których zabito
Bo polską krew mieli w żyłach
O tych Polakach dobrych i prawych
Co leżą w katyńskich mogiłach

O tamtych ostatnich chwilach w modlitwie
Za matki za dzieci za żony
O tamtym ostatnim szepcie w rozpaczy
Przez kulę sowiecką zdławionym

A pod Smoleńskiem kamień i wieniec
Stać będą już zawsze na straży
Twoich Ojczyzno naszych katyńskich
Najświętszych polskich ołtarzy