Brain Pickings Weekly
Down the rabbit hole in colorful dots, twisted typography, and strange eye conditions.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass endure as some of history's most belovedchildren's storytelling, full of timeless philosophyfor grown-ups and inspiration for computing pioneers. The illustrations that have accompanied Lewis Carroll's classics over the ages have become iconic in their own right, from Leonard Weisgard's stunning artwork for the first color edition of the book to Salvador Dali's little-known but breathtaking version. Now, from Penguin UK and Yayoi Kusama, Japan's most celebrated contemporary artist, comes a striking contender for the most visually captivating take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland yet.Since childhood, Kusama has had a rare condition that makes her see colorful spots on everything she looks at. Her vision, both literally and creatively, is thus naturally surreal, almost hallucinogenic. Her vibrant artwork, sewn together in a magnificent fabric-bound hardcover tome, becomes an exquisite embodiment of Carroll's story and his fascination with the extraordinary way in which children see and explore the ordinary world.
A breathtaking piece of visual philosophy to complement Carroll's timeless vision, Kusama's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is the latest affirmation of what appears to be the season of exceptionallybeautifulbooks.