What We Are Reading Today: Mondrian’s Dress

What We Are Reading Today: Mondrian’s Dress
Short Url
Updated 15 December 2023
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: Mondrian’s Dress

What We Are Reading Today: Mondrian’s Dress

Authors: Nancy J. Troy and Ann Marguerite Tartsinis

When Dutch artist Piet Mondrian painted thick black rectilinear lines in a geometric abstraction, made up of blocked parts filled with white, saturated yellow, vibrant red and rectangles of blue in the 1920s and ‘30s, nobody could have anticipated that decades later, in the ‘60s, celebrated couturier Yves Saint Laurent would posthumously adapt the distinct — and perhaps restricted — design into wearable art that would be as recognizable in 2023.

What was born was an unlikely collaboration between two men, who, perhaps knowingly or not, popularized a whole new genre of accessible, wearable art. Instead of being reduced to a well-curated wall in a museum, you could exhibit it anywhere as part of everyday life.

The playful and sophisticated dresses have been steadily sold in numerous variations, and continue to even today.

Now, a new book published by MIT Press provides a fresh take on this iconic pop culture phenomenon that spans decades and generations.

Art scholars Nancy J. Troy and Ann Marguerite Tartsinis offer much context and background on the different threads of stories that link the two artists together.

Using archival clippings from newspaper and magazine articles published at the time, as well as eye-catching graphics, the book explains the impact of one of the twentieth century’s most recognizable fashions, using anecdotes and sources.

It goes into how and why the design became so iconic, and how merchandizing and commodification played strategic roles in the popularization of the pop culture phenomenon.

The coffee table book is full of great pictures, so it is easy to flip through, but it is also full of in-depth text that offers extra background on the illustrations and art.

It expertly explains how French couture, Dutch abstract art and American pop culture merged together to create a perfect encapsulation of the essence of the stylish, modern woman of that era and beyond. 

As the first book-length study of its kind, the authors examine how and why the Mondrian dress went so far, and has managed to outlast other pop culture trends.

The book explains how far the reach went into redefining the lines in which fashion and art could be blurred; the impact that the geometric patterned dress had on New York street fashion, and on how we interact with that art even today.

For SR187 ($49.95), the book could make a great gift for you or a loved one.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’
Updated 03 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Little Book of Weather’

Author: Adam Scaife

Packed with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile anyone who is curious about weather.

Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, “The Little Book of Weather” is an accessible and enjoyable mini-reference about the world’s weather, with examples drawn from across the globe.

It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from weather forecasting and extreme events such as hurricanes and typhoons to the future of weather with climate change.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’
Updated 02 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Introduction to Nonlinear Control’

Authors: Christopher M. Kellet & Philipp Braun

This self-contained and accessible introduction to the concepts and techniques used for nonlinear feedback systems offers a holistic treatment suitable for use in both advanced undergraduate and graduate courses; students need only some familiarity with differential equations and linear algebra to understand the material presented. 

The text begins with an overview of stability and Lyapunov methods for nonlinear systems, with Lyapunov’s second method revisited throughout the book as a connective thread.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Belonging and Not Belonging’

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘On Belonging and Not Belonging’

Photo/Supplied

Author: MARY JACOBUS

“On Belonging and Not Belonging” provides a sophisticated exploration of how themes of translation, migration, and displacement shape an astonishing range of artistic works.

From the possibilities and limitations of translation addressed by Jhumpa Lahiri and David Malouf to the effects of shifting borders in the writings of Eugenio Montale, W. G. Sebald, Colm Tóibín, and many others, esteemed literary critic Mary Jacobus looks at the ways novelists, poets, photographers, and filmmakers revise narratives of language, identity, and exile.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’

Photo/Supplied
  • Ward’s writing captures the immediacy of war zones with remarkable precision, drawing readers into the chaos and danger of places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan

Author: Clarissa Ward

Clarissa Ward’s “On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist” is an unflinching and deeply personal memoir that provides a rare glimpse into the life of a war correspondent.

Known for her reporting from some of the world’s most volatile regions, Ward chronicles her journey from an aspiring journalist to one of the most recognizable faces in international reporting.

The book is as much a tale of personal growth as it is a vivid account of global conflict, told with the clarity and humanity that defines Ward’s journalism.

Ward’s writing captures the immediacy of war zones with remarkable precision, drawing readers into the chaos and danger of places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Her accounts of reporting under fire, navigating hostile environments, and witnessing the harrowing realities of war are gripping and often heart-wrenching.

And yet Ward balances these scenes with reflective moments, exploring how her experiences have shaped her understanding of humanity, resilience, and her own privilege.

What sets “On All Fronts” apart is that Ward brings the voices and stories of the people she encounters to the forefront, offering insights into lives often reduced to statistics in global news.

Whether describing a mother’s desperate attempts to keep her children safe in Aleppo or the quiet dignity of a refugee fleeing unimaginable horrors, Ward’s storytelling is compassionate and deeply affecting. Her empathy and commitment to amplifying these voices shine through every page.

The memoir also offers a candid look at the personal toll of covering conflict. Ward is unafraid to delve into the emotional and physical strains of her career, reflecting on the sacrifices and ethical dilemmas that come with the job.

Her honesty about the challenges of balancing her professional and personal life adds a layer of vulnerability that makes the book even more compelling. These moments remind readers that behind the camera is a journalist who is constantly grappling with fear, doubt, and the weight of bearing witness to the world’s darkest moments.

Ward’s prose is crisp and evocative, bringing to life not only the war zones she covers but also the newsroom politics and cultural nuances that shape her profession. Her journey — from a privileged upbringing in London to the frontlines of global conflict — is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering readers a rare look at the making of a journalist.

“On All Fronts” is more than just a memoir; it is a testament to the power of journalism to shine a light on injustice and to connect audiences to the humanity of those caught in conflict. It challenges readers to think critically about the stories they consume and the sacrifices made to bring those stories to light.

Ward has crafted a work that is as gripping as it is reflective; a book that underscores the importance of bearing witness in a world too often defined by division and violence.

For anyone interested in journalism, global affairs, or the complexities of the human condition, “On All Fronts” is an essential read — a masterful blend of memoir and reportage that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.

 


What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light
Updated 30 November 2024
Follow

What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

What We Are Reading Today: The White Ladder by Daniel Light

Daniel Light’s “The White Ladder” is a captivating historical narrative that chronicles the thrilling ascent of mountaineering’s world altitude record. 

With a keen eye for detail and a poetic eloquence, Light brings to life the epic journeys of climbers, both renowned and unsung.

He delves into the innovative techniques and breathtaking ascents that pushed the boundaries of the sport, highlighting the crucial roles of local guides and indigenous mountaineers often overlooked in traditional accounts. 

By skillfully weaving together historical sources, Light presents a coherent and engaging narrative that is both accurate and captivating. 

His wry humor adds a refreshing touch to this remarkable tale of human ambition and the allure of the mountain.