Pop-up books: a superficial, 2D look
Entertainment Weekly recently did an article (sadly, the online version does not include pictures - kind of a must with pop-up books, don’t you think?) on some note-worthy entrants to this field of pro-paper manipulation. Picks include a pop-up take on a children’s classic (eh, what else is new? but it is the mag’s personal favorite), but also much-more-awesome-sounding pop-ups that depict topics like the moon landing
However, for some truly stunning pop-up books, check out this very cool post. And, fortunately, it does come complete with lots of pictures, and even videos! Really, you won’t know what pop-up books are capable of until you’ve seen the images shown there. Best-seller Robert Sabuda’s books, as depicted in the post, are especially view worthy. Sabuda’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
But “adult” pop-up books aren’t just limited to reference material and classic literature. Pop culture is also fair game. Witness Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy, now available at the MoMA Store.
In terms of sheer artistry when it comes to paper, however, no one beats Danish-born artist Olafur Eliasson. The artist behind the recent waterfalls spectacle in NYC, he doesn’t choose a flashy subject like dinosaurs or fictional submaries for his take on 3D books. No. That would be too easy. His subject of choice? His own home. And his book isn’t a pop-up so much as a pop … in. Confused yet? It would be easier just to show you (from Origami Tessellations):
That’s right. That’s paper. Hundreds of thin pieces of paper, each one individually laser-cut to create a 3D rendition of Eliasson’s house when placed one on top of the other. Believe it or not, I’ve actually seen one of these in person (and turned the pages!), and it’s incredible. So detailed, yet incredibly fragile and delicate. An entire, 3D replica of a home within the text-free pages of a single book.
Want to buy one? Eliasson made the book in collaboration with MoMA, and unfortunately they only made a limited amount. Of course. So if you’ve got thousands of dollars to spare, you may be able to convince an owner to sell you their copy. C’mon, lottery!
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What is it with accessories and DVD sets these days? Are knick knack companies going through some rough times? Or are studios just really desperate to sell DVDs? (Probably the latter.) First there was A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector's Edition), with its cookie cutters, recipe book, apron, commemorative Christmas tin... (Whoa, I know.)
And now there's The Notebook (Limited Edition Gift Set), which comes with a scrapbook album (with stickers!), notecards, envelopes, and "themed" bookmarks. But... wait for it... no new DVD extras or features! So totally worth it. Check out Entertainment Weekly for the lackluster DVD set review (a grade of D - harsh). Or, even better, Amazon's video montage of the contents, set to the soothing, Jane Austen movie-esque sounds of The Notebook's theme music. Hey, they know their audience.
