Breaking The Rules: What Is Contemporary Art?

A new book delivers a kid-friendly perspective on modern art

For budding esthetes, the new children’s book from L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art attempts to distill the extensive roster of major modern talent into a clear, easy-to-read format. “Breaking the Rules: What is Contemporary Art?,” describes each chosen artwork—such as “Delicious” (Felix Gonzalez-Torres‘ candied installation above), “Lovable Horror” (Victor Estrada’s “Happiness” monster) and “Autobiographical” (Robert Rauschenberg‘s shadow box)—in kid-friendly terrms. Covering a wide range of …

iMinds

Deep knowledge for on-the-go information seekers

While Wikipedia may be the modern encyclopedia for the information-absorbing set, it often lacks the depth needed to fully comprehend involved subjects—for example the Spanish Inquisition or Behavior Economics. Developed to expand your knowledge while on the go, Sydney-based iMinds is a 12-category catalog of audio books that delivers each topic in eight-minute segments. Over 180 subject matters can be downloaded onto an iPod or …

Hamburger Automatenverlag Book Vending Machines

A German publisher commandeers automats in an effort to promote reading

In an effort to both reuse retired cigarette vending machines and encourage literacy (not to mention sell a few books), newly-minted German publisher Hamburger Automatenverlag recently introduced a resourceful new concept—the book vending machine. Basing their name on the concept, the publishing house’s clever street project supplants one unhealthy habit with a positive one through the re-purposing of existing resources. The machines vary in size …