The beauty of this book is showing that symbolic language is not concise and univocal, but fluid, and contradictory, and richly endowed with narratives both past and present. —Steven Heller
Our book comprises symbols that are emblematic of different cultures, epochs, and motivations: images and artifacts created to evangelize, control, sell, teach, protest, initiate, or entertain. The range of media encompasses both the sacred and profane: oil paintings and biscuit packaging, national monuments and commercial trademarks. The work of Juan Gris and Maya Lin is treated with the same reverence as a mass-produced ashtray.
Preview or purchase Symbols. Also available at all better independent bookstores, including Kinokuniya in San Francisco, McNally Jackson in New York City, Hennessy + Ingalls in Los Angeles, and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Store.