Wit-ness to Mat-Haroo Spirit -9781961856462

描述

An insightful collection of essays on the overlooked sign. Each chapter explores the extraordinary connection that culture and society have to this common object. The book blends historical overview, graphic taxonomy, and design criticism on eleven signage types, ranging from signs that say no, to pharmacy signs, and all in-between. Every chapter uncovers the reasoning and logic of how and why our built environment is annotated the way it is form the simplest of signs to the largest of signs.

“Wit-ness to Mat-Haroo Spirit is a series of charmingly written stories by architects Gurjit Singh Matharoo and Vagish Naganur that shed light on the nuanced relationships and challenges architects contend with. These anecdotes span a 30-year career, providing a fascinating insight into the inner workings of an acclaimed practice – an uncharted territory thus far in architectural writing. Filled with self-deprecating humour in its folds, it gives us a quirky look into the special place the profession occupies, going beyond mere physical edifices to symbolize culture, history, and human connections. The stories delve into themes of love, loss and the transient nature of human existence, etched deep into the pages of this book.”

V. Raghunathan

Academic, author, corporate citizen, columnist and hobbyist

Bengaluru, India

“The stories remind us that ultimately, the successful architectural endeavours, no matter how grand or innovative, are deeply human at their core. They are products of our collective aspirations, struggles and creativity. They demonstrate that architecture, like all human efforts, is an ongoing dialogue between the individual and the collective, the past and the future. As we explore these distinct yet interconnected attempts, through the lucid storytelling by the authors, we see that the pursuit of architectural excellence is, indeed, only human after all.”

Lucio Muniain

Painter, musician and architect. Collector of music and art.

Mexico City, Mexico