STEVEN HOLL | Written in Water

A selection of 365 watercolors from 1992-2001, reproduced to scale on fine thick, textured paper to simulate Holl's notebook.

Cover has minimal shelf wear. Spine is slightly slanted. Near fine condition.

From Steven Holl's preface :
"By 1978 black-and-white watercolors in spiral bound notebooks began to take the place of the larger elaborate drawings. The 5×7 format could be opened on a flip-down train or airplane tray. By 1979 I was making these drawings every morning. As a method of catching intuition and first thoughts it is a technique which sets the imagination free.

In the meditations associated with the initial conception of a building, its first stirring towards form, space, and light, the watercolors played a crucial role: they gave intuition a primary position. A very rapid concept sketch could simultaneously indicate space and - with the swipe of a brush - the direction of light. William Stout, the book publisher, suggested that I collect a select number of these as a booklet printed in the same 5×7 format. It is a selection of 365 images, each from a different day of the year, with various years separated by spiral book covers. Lars Müller and I decided to make a selection from the years 1992-2002 on the occasion of my exhibition at the Architekturzentrum in Vienna."

From the publisher:
"This is the first publication of Steven Holls legendary watercolors. Built as diary, the 365 watercolors represent the creative process of this famous and influential American Architect. The watercolors show the highhly individual methode of Steven Holl, developed over many years and containing first ideas and scetches of all major buildings and competition projects. Holl is know for his sculptural architecture and his genuine use of light. Both qualities which meet the characteristics of the watercolor-technique."

6.8 x 5.1 inches