Art'bracadabra
This book, by notable artist and designer, Garnier, is translated from French and is based on a series of short films that were exhibited at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. It is a sturdy object, full of splashy colour, playful interactive elements, and punchy chapters yet the text is quite lyrical.
The chunky artwork and energetic colour palette are representative of Garnier’s usual style and one can see these images working well as dynamic animations. The transfer from film to book format retains most of the energy, if not all of the information. Each short chapter focuses on one aspect or principle of art-making: the form, contrast, composition, perspective, etc.
The accompanying text is poetic in nature. The artist refers to a line as being ‘a race on paper’ and says that ‘shadows play hide and seek with light.’ While many readers find conceptual or abstract explanations to be beautifully poignant, especially when discussing art, some younger or more literally-minded readers might be confused by phrases such as a dot being called ‘a magical seed which the artist plants with the tip of their wand,’ or a line being defined as ‘a lasso that catches the shape.’
The interactive elements (lift-the-flap, die-cuts, embossed textures, acetate overlays) make the book as playful and exciting as any toy! Parents would be wise to expect more playing than reading because little fingers and curious minds will love the visual tricks and tactile pulling, twirling and lifting. This book is perfect for budding artists.
