this is the first complete monograph about the seminal work of ryoji ikeda. with superb attention to detail and layout, the publication documents the artist's latest projects and includes brand-new artwork especially produced for the book. at the same time, »formula« covers ikeda's landmark concerts and installations; and his collaborations with, amongst others, celebrated artist/musician carsten nicolai, acclaimed performance group dumb type and famous architect toyo ito. all of the dvd content is only available here, with a 35 minute full video documentation of the »formula« [prototype] concert filmed in tokyo and 8 sound pieces from installation works. eagerly awaited, the publication comes in a numbered edition of 3,000.
not only the most complete ryoji ikeda catalogue, »formula« is an intimately-scaled minimalist artwork in itself, and an object of desire. how the book is held may cause the numbers and text, picked out in clear varnish on white page, to shimmer. every aspect of look and feel has been considered by the artist's critical eye. his superlative production values are ever-present in the quality of the images and the finish. only through repeated investigation does the publication begin to reveal its richness. readers will be able to pore over the photographs, ponder the schematics and technical drawings, and enjoy the spacious listings of performances, exhibitions and releases. the artist's first-rate assembly of data, diagrams and video stills create moments of graphic intensity that make the white spaces of the pages surprisingly dynamic.
the book is pure pleasure to hold. »formula« [book + dvd] reflects precise design and ryoji ikeda's flawless selection of surfaces and materials. an exceptional publication, it provides a "heightened sensory experience" in a similar way to his concerts, installations and sound works.
english, 96 p., soft cover
published by forma
