Taschen expands their empire and recently opened their new London flagship store. Designed just like all their other stores by superstar designer Philippe Starck, the store of course turned out pretty nice and houses a book store and gallery.

“TASCHEN is delighted to announce the opening of its London store today, 6 October 2008. Located on the newly developed Duke of York Square, just off the Kings Road, right next to the new Saatchi Gallery, the store will stock the entire range of TASCHEN books covering art, photography, architecture, film, lifestyle, travel, pop culture and sex.  The London store follows the huge success of TASCHEN’s five stores around the world, in Paris, Cologne, New York, Beverly Hills and Hollywood.” Via Dezeen.

Have a further look at the store after the jump.

In the world of reprints, Taschen has no equal. Their newest publication. Arts and Architecture, 1945-1954, is a complete run of the magazine for the 10 year period. The set is limited to 5,000 numbered copies. A comprehensive record of mid-century American Architecture.

From Taschen:

“From the end of World War II until the mid-1960s, exciting things were happening in American architecture: emerging talents were focusing on innovative projects that integrated low-cost materials and modern design. This trend was most notably embodied in the famous Case Study House Program, which was championed by the era’s leading American journal, Arts & Architecture. Focusing not only on architecture but also design, art, music, politics, and social issues, A&A was an ambitious and groundbreaking publication, largely thanks to the inspiration of John Entenza, who ran the magazine for over two decades until David Travers became publisher in 1962. The era’s greatest architects were featured in A&A, including Neutra, Schindler, Saarinen, Ellwood, Lautner, Eames, and Koenig; and two of today’s most wildly successful architects, Frank Gehry and Richard Meier, had their debuts in its pages. A&A was instrumental in putting American architecture—and in particular California Modernism—on the map. Other key contributors to the magazine include photographers Julius Shulman and Ezra Stoller, writers Esther McCoy and Peter Yates, and cover designers Herbert Matter and Alvin Lustig, among many luminaries of modernism.”

Views from Arts & Architecture, 1945-54: The Complete Reprint after the jump.

Studio Olafur Elliassan, helmed by its Danish born namesake, is located in Berlin, Germany. The firm is noted for its fresh dialogues between space and art. As focus of a new publication from Taschen, Studio Olafur Elliasson is presented via key themes, placed in alphabetical order. 

Each project includes direct commentary from the studio. This conversation is facilitated by art historian Philip Urspring, professor of modern and contemporary art at University of Zurich. The book is devised to give the reader a nuanced view of the interdisciplinary nature of the studio’s diverse works.

The art edition is beautifully presented in XL format.

View page shots from Studio Olafur Elliassan: An Encyclopedia after the jump.

A complete exploration of contemporary packaging, Package Design Now! showcases a full range of products and the firms and branding departments that make each standout from the crowd. The book is the first encyclopedic compendium of product design, and a great resource for those interested in design, advertising, branding, or even those who are amused by the wealth of things available in this world.The obvious big names like Coca-Cola and Apple are covered, as well as smaller companies. Broken into thematic chapters (bottles, for example) the book allows direct comparisons. Out now from Taschen. 

Further page previews after the jump.

Advertising has a long and illustrious history. Much of the action takes place in the 20th century, and as such Taschen’s latest A History of Advertising focus on that period. The book is broken into decade sections, with full analysis and attention granted to selected campaigns. This includes work from Camel and Coca-Cola, and the incorporation of fine arts into advertising. 

More page views after the jump.

We have reported a number of artistic and scholarly endeavors related to China’s growth and history recently. From Urban sprawl to Western Artists’ reactions to the landscape and culture, the nation proves constantly fertile soil. The latest release covering China is Taschen’s China, Portrait of a Country. The book includes the work of 88 photographers, collected by Pulitzer prize winner Liu Heung Shing, covering the trajectory of post-MAO China (1949 – the present). With the coming Olympics the book is sure to pique the interest of more than a few folks. 

Selected page views after the jump.

Extraordinary coastal living from Iceland to Chile. That is the scope and theme of Taschen’s new New Seaside Interiors book. From Martha’s Vineyard to Mexico, ethnic to modern, the most intriguing homes on the coast are captured and beautifully presented. Worth a look for anyone interested in design, architecture, or just to fantasize about sitting out by the sea. 

More previews after the jump.

Before TV, before the movies and before radio, the Circus was show biz. From acrobats to tattooed sideshows, and everything in between, circuses thrilled audiences from coast to coast. While the allure of the freak and magic might have died down, nothing can deny the rich cultural history left behind from one of America’s favorite entertainment outlets. Photographs, prints and broadsides. Objects of ephemera, like the massive rings giants gave to guests. All these work to bring thecircus of old alive. 

Taschen’s The Circus, 1870-1950 covers the golden era of American circuses. Written by Circus historians Linda Granfield and Dominique Jando, the book is devised in 9 thematic chapters. Photographs from the likes of Matthew Brady (famed for his civil war photography) and Weegee (famed for being a bit of a liar) are included. Also, there is little known circus work from Charles and Ray Eames and Stanley Kubrick. All of this works together for a comprehensive textual and visual account of the circus. A must for anyone interested in American folk life.

A few more images from the book after the jump.

Located on the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, Bahia has some of the most recognizable architecture in the country. The three main ethnic influences (European,Indigenous and African) are apparent. Native materials fuse with the environment and local climate. The state of Bahia is noted for its music and culinary history, and the architecture makes for just one more reason it is fast becoming a very popular tourist destination. 

Living in Bahia is a new title from Taschen celebrating Bahia’s rich architectural tradition and highlighting its laid back lifestyle through select homes. Interior shots and page views after the jump.

For 20 years Peter Beard studied the effects of the adventures, missionaries, hunters and explores who changed the face of the African continent in the name of "progress." The End of Game compiles historic images and essays to tell the story of the "opening" of Africa through to a photographic study of the Tsavo lowlands and Ugandan wildlife parks. 

Beard’s book was originally published in 1965, and reworked for release in 1977. Taschen is now resurrecting The End of Game with a new forward from travel writer Paul Theroux. A selection of images from the volume can be found after the jump.