GIVEAWAY - Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art

What happens to us is irrelevant to the world's geology but what happens to the world's geology is not irrelevant to us. We must reconcile ourselves to the stones. Not the stones to us. - Hugh MacDiarmid, excerpt from
On a Raised Beach, 1934

Black Dog Publishing specializes in beautifully produced books that represent a fresh, eclectic take on contemporary culture. Their titles cover a wide range of interests, including art, architecture, design, fashion, music & environmental concerns. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art for review.

My initial reaction upon receipt is that the book itself is beautiful. With over 200 pages, this hardback book is filled with a wide variety of color photos & information on a subject I've never given much thought to, a fact I berated myself for while reading the book. I say that because in life we are surrounded by stone that has been altered by human beings & nature into works of art.

Stone is a photographic journey through the traditional processes of extracting stone, showing the beauty of the material, and the way it is used today in contemporary sculpture. The book depicts the work of the Edinburgh College of Art’s Stone Project, led by Professor Jake Harvey, Professor Noe Mendelle and Joel Fisher; and their three years of research-based travel to countries around the world — explored through essays, case studies, photographs & film stills.

The trio guides readers through the traditional processes of extracting stone & the plethora of tools & techniques used. Simultaneously, the authors delve into the history of stone work while situating it within contemporary practice. The authors follow stone’s journey from its birthplace, through the various methods of extraction, exploring the material’s evolution into something new with an array of sculptural techniques. Contemporary stone sculpture and stone carving is also featured within the book, with artists using stone within their practice being highlighted — such as Marc Quinn, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Gerard Mas, Isamu Naguchi and the late Louise Bourgeois — Stone includes previously unseen images of their work in production, and in some of the many stoneworking ‘laboratories’ and quarries featured.

A visually stimulating title, Stone is the ideal introduction to stone work & the perfect addition to the bookshelves of those with an interest in arts, crafts & architecture. I promise that once you read this book, you won't look at stone in the same mundane way again. If you would like to order this lovely book for you or another person with an appreciation for art (and hard work), you will receive a 40% discount by emailing your delivery address to Jessica Atkins at jess@blackdogonline.com. The same discount offer applies to Black Dog’s latest printmaking book release; The Mechanical Hand: Artists’ Projects at Paupers Press. Include "Funky Finds Discount Offer" in subject line.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Brandi! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Stone: A Legacy and Inspiration for Art from Black Dog Publishing.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post noting why you would like to receive this title for you or for someone else.

EXTRA ENTRY: Like Black Dog Publishing on Facebook & leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

ENDS: Sunday, May 20 at 9pm CST.

(Pictured: 1. Book Cover; 2. YA AN Long Dong Da Gou Tou Marble Quarry worker in Sichuan, China; 3. Crated Marble Lion from Quyang Carving Workshop in Heibei, China; 4. Seed by Peter Randall-Page, granite; 5. Dual 'Jeanne' portrait by Barry X Ball in Belgian Black Marble, aluminum, stainless steel, wood, acrylic lacquer, steel, nylon & plastic.)