Aluminum By Design

Bracelets, chairs, buildings, even a Rolls Royce—aluminum has inspired a dazzling array of innovative objects since it first appeared in the 19th century, when its rarity made it as prized as gold. This unprecedented book, published to accompany what will surely be one of the most exciting museum exhibitions in years, demonstrates how aluminum's essential qualities of brilliance, strength, light weight, resistance to corrosion, and ease of recycling have made it not only ubiquitous in daily life but also irresistible to some of the world's most visionary artists, designers, architects, and engineers. An impressive roster of scholars traces the myriad creative uses of aluminum, and stunning illustrations showcase works by Rene Lalique, Philippe Starck, Buckminster Fuller, and Charles Christofle, among many others. Organized by Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Art, this groundbreaking exhibition and publication will surprise and delight a wide audience.