Product Description

The first easy-to-navigate illustrated guidebook to the wonderful sculptures, murals, bas-reliefs, and mosaics of this Art Deco showplace. From the depths of the Great Depression in 1929, John D. Rockefeller Jr. envisioned an unprecedented, modern, and luxurious building project. Given the theme "New Frontiers," nearly forty artists created everything from paintings and sculpture to fabrics and fountains. Rockefeller Center would be greater than its parts, nothing less than the heart of New York.

Today Rockefeller Center has millions of visitors, but no hands-on guidebook to help tourists easily locate and enjoy its art—until now. Each chapter covers a single building; one general map and detailed section maps make self-guided tours easy. Essential information is provided for every piece, along with color photographs of most. Biographical information and a list of artists allow visitors to single out a specific artist's work.

By the author of the acclaimed The Art of Rockefeller Center, this unique and affordable guidebook will empower tourists, students, and enthusiasts alike to discover Rockefeller's extraordinary vision. 118 color illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #895880 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
Vital Signs provides the most straightforward and reliable environmental, economic, and social information available on the planet Earth. The book delivers . . . facts illuminated by contexts and interconnections, often revealing causes of the problems, and pointing the way toward solutions that work (Michael Pastore - ePublishers Weekly )

Provides the most straightforward and reliable environmental, economic, and social information available on the planet Earth. -- ePublishers Weekly, Michael Pastore

About the Author
Christine Roussel, former director of the reproductions studio at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and founder of the monument restoration company C. Roussel Inc., lives in New York City.


Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also served as editor of Connoisseur and cultural correspondent for ABC's "20/20." The author of fifteen books, including the bestsellers Making the Mummies Dance and Tutankhamun, he lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

14 years of succinct, relevant and readable writing on global trends.
The 14 th year of a "must read" series for those interested in the global ecology, technology and environment.
From ePublisher's Weekly " The most straight forward and reliable environmental, economic and social information available on the entire planet, Earth". - put together in indivdual items in a two page global summary per item.
This year has 44 items, grouped broadly into Key Indicators and Special features and into 8subgroups covering food and agricultures, energy and climate, economy, transport & communication, Health & Social, Conflict and Peace.
As Items vary from year to year - an index at the back of each volume provides complete reference to earlier volumes.

Art in the environment
I recently walked round the Rockefeller Center to look at all the public art and this lovely little paperback was invaluable. Without it I doubt you will find the eighty or so works of art in the book that are on walls everywhere even though the majority are on exteriors. Items like Lee Lawrie's Atlas statue or the stunning Wisdom wall-relief are well-known but how many visitors realise that when they walk across the lobby of Radio City they are treading on a carpet (replaced in 1999) designed by Ruth Reeves and full of musical instrument motifs or that the bronze statues above the entrance at 620 Fifth Avenue celebrate industries of the British Empire.

The book is divided into fourteen building sections each with a color strip on the page edge that ties in with a color map on the contents page. Each spread features a color photo of the artwork and the opposite page has a very detailed description and technical listing. The last two sections include artist's biographies and an index. I would have liked to see an aerial photo or two of the Center to appreciate just how big the twenty-two acre site is.

This book is a hands-on version of Ms Roussel's much more substantial art book on the Center (ISBN 0393060829). Both books celebrate a modern American structural icon and it is a credit to the current owners that they keep all the external artistic embellishments in excellent condition.

*If you use the book to guide you round the buildings don't forget to have a look at the lovely grillwork set into the sidewalk to protect the trees.

Everythying you wanted to know...
The title says it all: a detailed account of the history and theme of every scupture, mural, and painting in New York's Rockefeller Center. Casual visitors may find much more detail than they want or need, but anyone who works in the area or is intrigued by the art will enjoy the concise yet engaging commentary. A must-buy for professional guides.

The book is printed on high-quality stock and lavishly illustrated in full color.