Fake Books

Bourgeois scholarship as disguise: Fake books are objects that simulate the most important carriers of knowledge and culture by subverting fundamental functions such as vizualisation, information or entertainment. Most of these 'book simulators' are beautiful containers, which serve for storing-- or hiding-- approximately everything. The viewer is always confronted by the discrepancy between appearance and being, between form and function. Armin Müller has collected book dummies of very different sizes, styles and provenances from different eras: art-historically valuable, technically sophisticated and historically exciting pieces, but also kitsch of all kinds. The imaginative and creative richness of camouflage and illusion seems to be inexhaustible.

Objects that surprise, confuse and sometimes even disturb: Book imitations in the form of jewelry cases, holy water containers, musical boxes, ashtrays, flower vases, as well as containers for photos, cosmetics, sewing utensils, lighters, and much more. Fake books are surprising, confusing, and amazing objects that claim to be something they are not. Some are camouflaged containers for everyday things, others are small treasure chests that guard precious little valuables and personal memorabilia, or that hide some pleasure and passion, some secret indulgence, which makes onlookers curious and fires their imagination. The objects introduced in this volume are disguised as books, the world's highest cultural commodity. They represent an imaginative and creative wealth of successful camouflage and illusion and are masterful examples of the art of bookbinding and artistic crafts, whether historically valuable and technically sophisticated, or amusing examples of every type of kitsch. -- Publisher website.

Objekte, die überraschen, verwirren und manchmal sogar befremden: Buchimitate als Schmuckschatulle, Weihwasserbehälter, Spieldose, Aschenbecher, Blumenvase und Aufbewahrungsort für Fotos, Kosmetik, Nähzeug Feuerzeuge u. v. m. Scheinbuücher überraschen, verwirren und erstaunen als Objekte, die vortäuschen etwas zu sein, was sie nicht sind. Einige tarnen Behältnisse für Alltägliches, andere sind Schatzkämmerchen, die kleine Kostbarkeiten und persönliche Erinnerungen huüten oder die Lust und Leidenschaft, den heimlichen Genuss verbergen und somit Neugier und Imagination wecken. Die in diesem Band vorgestellten Objekte im Gewand des höchsten Kulturgutes Buch zeigen den fantasievollen und kreativen Reichtum von Camouflage und Illusion und zeugen von meisterhafter Buchbindekunst und Kunsthandwerk, sind historisch wert- und technisch anspruchsvoll oder amüsanter Kitsch aller Art. -- Publisher website.