kalte Kunst? — zum Standort der heutigen Malerei by Karl Gerstner, 1963. 2nd ed., first published in 1957. Arthur Niggli GmbH, Teufen AR, Switzerland. 7.5 x 8, n.p. [approx. 58] with German text. A sophisticated production with french fold printed covers and three different paper stocks, fold-outs, and specialty printing throughout. Beautifully printed in Switzerland; with a meticulous design by Karl Gerstner.
Rare. “Cold Art” is Gerstner’s first authored and designed book advocating for a rational, geometric and mathematical art (Concrete art). This 2nd edition includes Gerstner’s 1957 introduction along with a new addition from February 15, 1963.
The first section, devoted to the pioneers is illustrated with eighteen black and white examples from: Braque, Picasso, Gris, Villon, Mondrian, van der Leck, Doesburg, Delaunay, Kupka, Taeuber-Arp, Malevich, Lissitzky, Albers, Vordemberge-Gildewart and Vantongerloo
The second, focuses on the middle generation and includes critical commentary, stunning colored silkscreen examples (mostly full-page) with black and white line drawings revealing the composition of the artworks illustrated from: Josef Albers, Max Bill, Camille Graeser, Verena Loewenberg, and Richard P. Lohse.
The final section looks towards the future with additional text and examples by Lanfranco Bombelli, Karl Gerstner, Gerard Ifert, Hansjörg Mattmüller, Mary Vieira (two tiny nicks to the top margin of her silkscreen) and Marcel Wyss. With a short bibliography at the end.
A very good plus, rare publication with light handling and wear to the covers and a 1.5” split to the spine heel. Some pages are starting to pull from the binding, the Max Bill silkscreen is neatly detached and when laid flat you can see the spine; common with this fragile binding and volume. Despite any flaws, highly recommended.