If ever there was a more creative re-use of discarded books than Berkeley artist Jim Rosenau's book shelves and cases, we've not seen it.
Rosenau's stock and trade is the visual pun. His raw materials? Old, hardbound books and their bizarre, decontextualized titles, which become fodder for witty and functional assemblages such as For the man who knows everything, made from a hammer and a bunch of (mostly) how-to books, or Pandemonium, constructed from cookbooks and kitchen gear.
Encyclopedia Britannica BookcaseRosenau's pieces are all beautifully crafted and composed, with great attention paid not just to meaning but to color, shape, and texture.
PandemoniumAt Rosenau's 8th Street studio, This Into That, the artist works with found and recycled objects, producing unique and "Second Edition" book shelves and cases, miniature chairs and hanging sculptures.
Custom Shelf
Ronsenau will create a custom shelf or case on any theme, based on a book or idea provided by the client, and prices range from $240 to $700. His web site includes an
order form.
Reverse Shelf
Interestingly, publishing was the Rosenau family trade for two generations. In his own way,
Jim Rosenau has carried on the tradition.
I just picked up a design book today, it was basically a book on cool people, in cool spaces, living with their lovable pets...and there was one image of 4 short shelves about 8" deep, hung at different heights, and spaced apart, but for no function other than a pet cat to climb on. (Picture a feline climbing wall).
These would have looked so much more interesting!