GIFTING: Who is Pierluigi Serraino giving his book to this Christmas?
The author of our new Ezra Stoller book runs us through his year, and tells us who is on his Christmas list
All our authors are devoted to the books they write, but few show their love quite as openly as the creator of Ezra Stoller: A Photographic History of Modern American Architecture.
The Italian-born, California-based architect, author and self-described ‘design agitator’ Pierluigi Serraino told us earlier this year how he was “just gasping for air” as he browsed through the great Mid-Century Modern photographer’s architectural archive. As the year ends, he calls the book a highlight in a year of highs and lows. Read on to discover the ruin that restored his faith in humanity, and why he still believes Stoller’s shots are ‘the apex’, in terms of architectural aesthetics.
What inspired you most this year? The resolve to rebuild Notre-Dame after the fire. It made clear once more to me how much architecture matters to humanity. It was a transformational realization for me.
What annoyed you most? The incessant drumming of antagonistic American politics. Even in California, with a liberal mindset shaping the public realm, it still seems an inescapable reality.
What was your personal highlight? Seeing the publication of the Ezra Stoller book for Phaidon. It was a project I wanted to work on for a very long time and the stars were in alignment. I could have not hoped for a better outcome. So, thank you!
What can we expect from you in 2020? I am focusing on my design practice as I have some new projects on board. Concurrently my interest in architectural photography is expanding exponentially and something is in the works. Stay tuned!
Who will you give your Phaidon book to for Christmas? The enthusiastic response to the Stoller book has been fantastic, especially from competitors! I have one person in mind who will be particularly appreciative of this title. Why? Because of the quintessential beauty of architectural forms. I really do think it is the apex.
Surely at least one person you know also deserves this amazing book? Buy a copy of Ezra Stoller: A Photographic History of Modern American Architecture. The book is a captivating history of 20th-century Modern American architecture, as seen through the eyes of a legendary photographer. It's also one of the first books to present the breadth of Stoller's largely unseen archive of images, brought to life through exquisite color and duotone black-and-white reproductions.
