Art and especially architecture are often seen as the exclusive realm of formally trained experts. Award-winning architects Steven and Cathi House explore the other side of that reality in a part of the world that has been at the crossroads of history for thousands of years. With more than 500 photographs and insightful commentary, they reveal the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, textiles, and vernacular architecture across seven countries of West Africa, situated between the Sahara Desert and Atlantic Ocean ...
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Art and especially architecture are often seen as the exclusive realm of formally trained experts. Award-winning architects Steven and Cathi House explore the other side of that reality in a part of the world that has been at the crossroads of history for thousands of years. With more than 500 photographs and insightful commentary, they reveal the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, textiles, and vernacular architecture across seven countries of West Africa, situated between the Sahara Desert and Atlantic Ocean. The book celebrates the artisanship of tribal people who use building methods that are both practical and ingenious and that respond not just to local climate, materials, and topography, but also to the needs of the inhabitants with poetic insight, creating environments that are stimulating and sustainable. With their clarity, function, and beauty, these villages are living models of what community life can be.
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Seller's Description:
Fine. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from US! Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 304 p. Contains: Illustrations.
You are there. Timbuktu. Dogon. Dakar. Tamale. Koumi (whose earthen homes remind me on the sod houses of the Nebraska prairie). And a dozen or more other places. The photographs transport you there. Some are beautiful, some are fascinating, some are harsh. All are evocative. And the concise and descriptive narrative gives you just enough information to let your imagination complete the stories the pictures tell. This is foremost a picture book, and the narrative doesn't get in the way, giving you just enough information for context.
Western Africa is an area I have been curious about, one of the least known populated regions on earth. I had read about Timbuktu and the ancient Mali empire, and the tragedy of the slave trade, but very little else about the history or the current people. I don't know if I would want to travel there, but I am glad I went there in the pages of this book. It was a wonderful experience. Highly recommended looking (and reading) for anyone.
Ellen
Jun 16, 2020
Another beautiful House+House book
Another beautiful House+House book, this one looks atsimple villages in West Africa. Text blends history with love of their subject, indigenous architecture, and includes quotes from thinkers and observers from Langston Hughes to El Hadj Oumar Tall. The photos are stunning. Combines a studious approach with great affection and lush illustration. The real stars of the book are the people. A treat!
Ann
Sep 11, 2019
Villages of West Afrida a Stunning Journey
VILLAGES OF WEST AFRICA BY STEVEN AND CATHI HOUSE PROVIDES STUNNING INSIGHTS INTO RARELY SEEN ARCHITECTURE, ART AND HUMAN DRAMA
San Francisco architects Steven and Cathi House have written a new book that's a visual and intellectual feast, full of colorful and sensitive photos of villages and their residents throughout West Africa. The areas depicted are also the ancestral homes of almost all African Americans living in the United States.
Steven and Cathi went far off the "tourist track" and participated in intimate interactions with the villagers in this book. The work is both exotic-full of pictures of camels, sand dunes, and architectural styles never seen in the U.S.-and familiar, depicting relationships among family members that we can all relate to on a human level. The presentation is respectful; the authors/photographers clearly value and learn from the lives, art and architecture of the people they depict. The book is a visual treasure-and allows the reader to vicariously experience authentic interactions with an amazing variety of local people. It's organized by region, and the diversity and variety of the areas, people and buildings photographed are amazing. They range from river dwellers to famous mosques to elaborate mud structures to deserts with nomads, camels and very basic homes. The quality of the photography is amazing, and the authors are expert at documenting people, landscapes and architecture. I cannot recommend it enough. Ann Rankin
Edward
Sep 11, 2019
Stunning Journey
My breath was taken away by the stunning pictures of a location I have only dreamed about visiting. Through the pages of the book, I was transported there, captivated by the architecture, the landscape, and the people. It was as though I had accompanied Steven and Cathi House on this journey.
The book is filled with stories of history and architecture, and is balanced with beautiful poetry and inspirational quotes. This book is a must for your library or coffee table.
Janice
Aug 18, 2019
A tribute to West African culture and people
More than a travel or art book, Villages of West Africa an intimate journey across time is a celebration of culture, art, history and ordinary contemporary life in seven West African countries. The book's numerous photos are wonderfully curated illustrating the beauty of people, precious historic structures and artisan craftsmanship. The brief text is eclectic; a set of essays containing factual information, nonjudgemental descriptions and inspirational thoughts. While those with an in- depth understanding of West Africa will appreciate this book, I believe it can also serve as an excellent introduction to a region that is not well-known to many people in the United States.
