Codex Seraphinianus

Serafini, Luigi

ISBN 10: 0847871045 / ISBN 13: 9780847871049

Published by Rizzoli, Printed in Italy, 2021

About this Item

Hardcover cloth (white) over boards. 4to. Unpaginated (416 pp). Illustrated entirely throughout with the vibrant drawings of Luigi Searfini, including 15 new drawings and a new cover design. Third printing (2023). Title stamped in gilt on the spine. Illustration of ladybugs stamped on the front board with gilt title, author, and border. Includes 30 page pamphlet entitled "Decodex" in a pocket on the back pastedown. Pamphlet contains Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian text. Sewn-in orange ribbon bookmark. Text block is clean, unmarked, and square with a strong binding. The spine and boards have been very slightly bumped. Fine condition overall.

Seller Inventory # 67465

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Codex Seraphinianus
• Publisher: Rizzoli, Printed in Italy
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0847871045
• ISBN 13: 9780847871049
• Binding: Cloth over boards
• Edition: 2021 Anniversary edition.
• Condition: Fine.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • Art Monographs
  • Artists' Books and Multiples

About this title

Synopsis

An extraordinary and surreal art book, this edition has been redesigned by the author and includes new illustrations. Ever since the Codex Seraphinianus was first published in 1981, the book has been recognized as one of the strangest and most beautiful art books ever made. This visual encyclopedia of an unknown world written in an unknown language has fueled much debate over its meaning. Written for the information age and addressing the import of coding and decoding in genetics, literary criticism, and computer science, the Codex confused, fascinated, and enchanted a generation.

While its message may be unclear, its appeal is obvious: it is a most exquisite artifact. Blurring the distinction between art book and art object, this anniversary edition-redesigned by the author and featuring new illustrations-presents this unique work in a new, unparalleled light. With the advent of new media and forms of communication and continuous streams of information, the Codex is now more relevant and timely than ever. A special limited and numbered deluxe edition that includes a signed print is also available.

About the Author

Luigi Serafini is an architect, ceramist, glazier, painter, sculptor, designer, opera director, set designer, and critic who works in Italy and abroad. In 2007, the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea in Milan dedicated a successful mostra ontological (ontological exhibition) to him. He has illustrated works by Franz Kafka and Michael Ende.