Spanish Design and Architecture

A well illustrated sourcebook that examines the traditional underpinnings and contemporary expression of Spain's fashion, furniture, graphic design, product design, interiors, and architecture. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

The newly liberal climate of the post-Franco era has given birth to a "distinctive Spanish style . . . radical, witty, confident," writes Coad, a London-based design lecturer. In architecture, staid conservatism has been supplanted by an "organic rationalism" full of soft, human touches. She finds Spaniards' love of open spaces pervading homes, shops, restaurants and interior design, and sees irony, which she claims is Spain's favorite type of humor, in "new expressionist" paintings by Pedro Almodovar and in the contortions of a bar stool. Included in this delightful, comprehensive survey are the asymetric women's fashions of Sybilla, radical jewelry designs from the island of Menorca and posters trenchant with political and cultural symbols. Featuring 200 plates, three-fourths in color, this album closes with references to the Barcelona Olympics, the Seville World Expo and Madrid's "Capital of the Year," events all slated for 1992.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.