New from University of Texas Press, Avant-Garde Art and Artists in Mexico: Anita Brenner’s Journals of the Roaring Twenties -

The Mexican Revolution—that violent, inchoate, never-quite-complete break with the past—opened a new era in Mexican art and letters now known as the “Mexican Renaissance.” In Mexico City, a coterie of artists including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros explored how art could forward revolutionary ideals—and, in the process, spent countless hours talking, gossiping, arguing, and partying. Into this milieu came Anita Brenner, in her early twenties already trying her hand as a journalist, art critic, and anthropologist. Her journals of the period 1925 to 1930 vividly transport us to this vital moment in Mexico, when building a “new nation” was the goal.

Brenner became a member of Rivera’s inner circle, and her journals provide fascinating portraits of its members, including Orozco, Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, and Jean Charlot, with whom she had an unusual loving relationship. She captures the major and minor players in the act of creating works for which they are now famous and records their comings and goings, alliances and feuds. Numerous images of their art brilliantly counterpoint her diary descriptions. Brenner also reveals her own maturation as a perceptive observer and writer who, at twenty-four, published her first book, Idols Behind Altars. Her initial plan for Idols included four hundred images taken by photographers Edward Weston and Tina Modotti. Many of these images, which were ultimately not included in Idols, are published here for the first time along with stunning portraits of Brenner herself. Setting the scene for the journal is well-known Mexican cultural critic Carlos Monsiváis, who offers an illuminating discussion of the Mexican Renaissance and the circle around Diego Rivera.

The book is edited by Susannah Joel Glusker, with foreword by Carlos Monsiváis.

Recently published, Suzanne Loebl’s America’s Medicis: The Rockefellers and Their Astonishing Cultural Legacy (Harper Collins) examines for the first time the entirety of contributions of one of America’s wealthiest and most influential families to the American art world. We had the opportunity to chat with Loebl about art collecting, the art world, and museum building. The fruits of our labor is seen in the above video.

After the jump, check the cover for America’s Medicis.

Available from Boccalatte, and written by Pre Gibson, The Rapture of Death “is a philosophical enquiry into the use of deathly imagery in contemporary art.” Literature, film, history, and more (think seventeenth century curiosities) are covered. (via Design Federation).

Check out a page view after the jump.

Invader’s work in Rome is subject of the new, and appropriately titled, Invaderoma. The book comes in conjunction with Invader’s exhibition at Wunderkammern, and follows three previous city guides – Paris, Los Angeles, and London. “Like the three preceding guides, it is illustrated many photographs, files and charts. You will know all about the invasion of the city and will be able to also appreciate the curiosities presented at the time of the expo the such first prototype of “speed balls”, a machine which projects balls rebounding with more than 200 km/h. ”

Available from The Lazy Dog.

Gestalten has released a special limited edition pressing of The Valley of the Shadow: the Photography of Miron Zownir. Zownir capture life on the fringes, the margins of major metropolis. There, the photographer looks for “unconditional authenticity” in community and in humanity. The Valley of the Shadow collects this work, showcasing misfits, freaks, and the homeless in expressive black and white portraiture.

The book is limited to 50 copies.

More looks after the jump.

New this week from YUP, Japan Fashion Now complements an exhibition now on view at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (through January 8, 2011).

Scholars have long acknowledged the significance of the Japanese “fashion revolution” of the 1980s, when avant-garde designers Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons introduced a radically new conception of fashion. But what has happened in the years since then?

Lavishly illustrated, Japan Fashion Now will be the first book to explore how Japanese fashion has evolved in recent years. During this time, Japanese pop culture has swept the world, as young people everywhere read manga, watch anime, and play video games. Japan has had a profound impact on global culture, often via new media.

With essays by Valerie Steele (“Is Japan Still the Future?”), Patricia Mears (“Fashion Revolution”), Hiroshi Narumi (“Japanese Street Style”), and Yuniya Kawamura (“Japanese Fashion Subcultures”), Japan Fashion Now explores how the world of fashion has been transformed by contemporary Japanese visual culture.

Valerie Steele is chief curator and director of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  Patricia Mears is deputy director of The Museum at FIT. Yuniya Kawamura is associate professor of sociology at FIT. Hiroshi Narumi is associate professor at the Kyoto University of Art and Design.

In search of new and undiscovered skateable surfaces East of the Adriatic documents an exciting journey through Eastern Europe. Scott Bourne, well-known skateboarder and writer, goes through the Balkans – Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania to Split, Croatia, by the Adriatic Sea – exploring new cultures along the way. Complemented with photographs by Bertrand Trichet and Sergej Vutuc, the book offers a personal report on the adventure.

East of the Adriatic is the first publication of 19/80 Éditions / Paris.

Full book images and a sampling of photographs from East of the Adriatic follow.

Grime, a tattooist of great renown, held a book signing for his anticipated Iron Will last week at the Convention of Tattoo Arts in San Francisco. The self published tome covers 8 years of tattooing, art, and life. As you’ll see in the brief preview that follows, the tattooing is superb. As you’ll find, if you pick up the book, Grime’s stories are superb too.

Iron Will should be available soon from GRIMEMONSTER.

The Tender Spot serves as the first monograph of famed German graphic designer Mario Lombardo. Known for playfully pushing both his own style, creative discipline and client need. He has worked for the likes of K-Swiss, Sony, Red Bull, and Audi. Along with his commissioned work, The Tender Spot also publishes, for the first time, many of Lombardo’s personal works.

Available from Gestalten. Page views follow.

How about a little food porn?

The Geometry of Pasta, a book pairing recipes from chef Jacob Kenedy with graphics from designer Caz Hildebrand, celebrates the over 300 shapes pasta can take. The history of each provides a basis for a full on exploration of local dishes and the philosophy behind the many different types of pasta available.

The Geometry of Pasta, by Jacob Kenedy and Caz Hildebrand, Publisher: Pan Macmillan, Hardback 288 pages. (via Daily Icon).

More views after the jump.