Paddle Against the Flow from Huck. Chronicle Books, 154 pages, $18.95.
In the foreword to this first book published by Huck Magazine, Douglas Coupland establishes a crucial point. When we are young and could benefit from good advice we are not inclined to listen. Many years later the wisdom that was offered will often ring true and we lament our inability to recognize its value. Coupland embraces the approach taken in this book as numerous creative people offer inspirational comments, not advice. Seen from that perspective the wisdom in their words should resonate with all ages.
Fifty-eight artists, musicians, surfers, skateboarders, authors are given a chance to share a message they feel is important. Some take the opportunity to speak about bigger concerns and our collective responsibility, like musician Eddie Vedder who says, "It's strange to be recognized for doing environmental work. It's like getting an award for breathing - it's simply something you have to do to stay alive." Others take a more personal view on what they wish to share, such as filmmaker Harmony Korine's remark, "Make things because you want to make things. Whether it's a movie or a one-line sentence or a song you sing to yourself in the shower, you just do it because it's something you want to do."
This collection of creative people share a perspective that encourages everyone to pursue their goals, to take chances and to embrace the mistakes we all make along the way because they become the stepping stones to future success.
Mark Mothersbaugh Myopia. Edited by Adam Lerner. Princeton Architectural Press, 256 pages, $50.
Beneath the plastic hat made famous by Devo lurks a different façade that Mark Mothersbaugh has worn for years. His alter ego Booji Boy has been a mainstay to Devo's live shows and has been another vehicle for Mothersbaugh's artistic explorations. The rubber masked Booji Boy as a plump blathering man-child provided an alternative to the theme of devolution that pervades the robotic presentation of the band.
Alternative perspectives are a pervasive theme in Mothersbaugh's view of the world. In a time where everything is being created digitally he will embrace old-school technology. The longest running theme in his art has been the near constant drawing of postcard-sized images. This practice began in the early days of Devo and has not stopped. He has only recently shared this archive with anyone and now it is the centre of an exhibition of his work.
Over 30,000 illustrations represent Mothersbaugh's visual diary. From that massive collection he has included a cross-section of those works in this book. Interviews and articles on
the band and Mothersbaugh provide insight and history into this unique artist.
See San Francisco by Victoria Smith, Chronicle Bbooks, 160 pages, $27.95.
Exploring San Francisco is best done with a local's guidance and Victoria Smith is the perfect expert for that tour. As a long time blogger on design and lifestyles (SF Girl By Bay) Smith provides a very personal perspective on the many neighbourhoods that make up the mosaic of this cosmopolitan city. Smith divides her tour into 18 different areas. Each one is introduced with some background history, how it evolved and what it offers today to both the visitor and the resident. What follows is a photographic tour that highlights the personality of the location through its architecture, shops, parks and street scenes. Smith's photography brings out the quirky details and presents them with a pastel coloured choice of subjects. Knob Hill, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, North Beach and all the rest are lovingly captured and shared with Smith's unique viewpoint.
