cover image Images of Fin-de-Siecle Architecture and Interior Decoration

Images of Fin-de-Siecle Architecture and Interior Decoration

Keichi Tahara, Keiichi Tahara. Kodansha America, $125 (263pp) ISBN 978-0-87011-906-4

As gorgeous and glitzy a tome as one is likely to see this season, this magnificent volume makes terms like Art Nouveau, Secessionism and Arts and Crafts seem superfluous. Its premise is that turn-of-the-century buildings from Paris to Moscow shared certain basic traitssensuous, pure forms, the wedding of architecture to design, eclectic palettes. In a hypnotic succession of two-page color spreads by Paris-based photographer Tahara, turn-of-the-century style is all romance, shimmer, sacramental mystery, high drama. Even sophisticated artlovers will come away with a new understanding of the potentials of organic architecture. Opulent designs by Victor Horta, Antoni Gaudi, Charles Mackintosh and Joseph Maria Olbrich, among others, transport us to a better time. The engaging text by architect-historian Miyake links countries and continents. $20,000 ad/promo. (October)