Provence (FR) is "an eight-issue magazine dedicated to hobbies," (P-R-O-V-E-N-C-E). Mostly informal in its writing style, but the rhythm and approach to its design and primary content is unpredictable with each issue. Printed with a high-gloss cover stock that gives a serious dash of elan, its interior pages reflect a calculated chaos of ideas that pull from the best traditions of low magazine culture. There's a sense of the daily life, extrapolated into the heady impacts of visual culture on it; also the other way around. A stellar roster of writers, artists, and friends contribute.
*****
A The Provence City Guide: NICE: The California of Europe. Eds. Tobias Kaspar, Hannes Loichinger. This full-color pocket guide to Nice, France, is really, really great. Put together by the ultimate unreliable narrators, editors of Provence* magazine, it's relevant for art-conscious travelers and those who, in general, don't mind being misled into potentially funny/weird new discoveries. The photography is original, and many of the entries (bars, cafes, galleries, shopping, hotels, etc.) may or may not have been updated from the over 43 travel guides (fr. 1885-2010) consulted in putting it together. It's full of facts, editorial flourishes and commentary, weird historic contexualization, but also just straight-shooting descriptions about nice places to visit. 6.25" x 4", 160 pages. $16. Add to cart
*Please also see the other books made by Paraguay Press, the publishing arm of castillo/corrales (Paris, FR).
B Provence: Issue R (Autumn/Winter 2009). Eds. Daiga Grantina, Tobias Kaspar, Hannes Loichinger. We decided to stock this particular issue because of a story with/by/on Ghislain Mollet-Vieville, critic, collector, and "art agent" of conceptual and minimal art. His style (and the man has style) of organizing and showing is quite amazing for its ability to embody the complexities of the work he lives and promotes. Many other fascinating stories are also in this issue, recollections that are revelatory through a personal experience with something small, or big. There's a lot about fashion (Takeji Hirakawa interview), or mode, maybe, in this one. Hard to say. $19. Add to cart
