The City is My Canvas [Hardcover]

Richard Haas (Author), Beth Dunlop (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

Contemporary "trompe l'oeil" artist Richard Haas transforms the drab exteriors of neglected buildings into breath-taking facades. "The City is My Canvas" documents his most important projects of the last two decades in double-page spreads which illustrate the "before" and "after" phases of each site. From Italian "Quadrata" paintings to Baroque and Rococo interiors, "trompe l'oeil" murals have a long tradition as decoration and didactic illustration. Muralist Richard Haas brings this tradition into the 21st century as he revitalizes forgotten buildings in eroding city centres by creating new "false" facades that seamlessly blend into the existing environment. "The world is constantly changing, and the needs of the city change with it", says Haas. "Even if blank urban walls at key locations of the city are now primarily seen as opportunities for computer-generated advertizements, whole segments of the mid-range urban American landscape and large areas of our edge cities remain in drastic need of refinement, softening and improvement".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Every Haas mural has the flair and comic touch of the Baroque - art striving for the grand impression." -- Time

"Few artists have the chance to take their creativity out into the wide world beyond museums and galleries and make a direct impact where ordinary people live." -- The New York Times

From the Publisher

From Italian Quadrata to Baroque and Rococo interiors, trompe l'oeil murals have a long tradition as decoration and didactic illustration. Muralist Richard Haas brings this tradition into the 21st century as he revitalizes forgotten buildings in eroding city centers by creating new 'false' facades that seamlessly blend into the existing environment. "The world is constantly changing, and the needs of the city change with it," says Haas. "Even if blank urban walls at key locations of the city are now primarily seen as opportunities for computer-generated advertisements, whole segments of the mid-range urban American landscape and large areas of our edge cities remain in drastic need of refinement, softening, and improvement."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791325051
• ISBN-13: 978-3791325057
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,094,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, March 14, 2011

By 

Shopper - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The City is My Canvas (Hardcover)

If there ever was a coffee table book for visitors to gasp at, this is it. I've given it as gifts. I've done a small trompe l'oeil. Richard Haas has dreamed bigger dreams. Inspiring.

5.0 out of 5 stars Whoops, There's Not Really A Door There, March 22, 2002

By 

Robert Derenthal "bucherwurm" (California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The City is My Canvas (Hardcover)

Richard Haas is a trompe l'oeil artist (a style of painting that gives an illusion of photographic reality). Not content with the usual practice of painting to canvas, he applies his art to the sides of buildings. He takes boring, blank building walls and transforms them into unbelievable elegance. Adding realistic looking windows to these walls is child's play to him. His true talent lies in creating three-dimensional scenes. What was once bare brick is now fully windowed with a grand curved stairway entrance complete with sculptures and fountains.

A dreary Con-Ed substation comes alive with a new architectural style. Windows and doors appear, and the crowning touch is an open courtyard that penetrates the entire building and shows the Brooklyn Bridge behind it - remember this is a flat brick wall.

The photographic realness is truly awesome. The book is full of high quality color prints on glossy paper. If you like photography, art, and architecture, then this is a must read book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent photos, July 27, 2001

By 

Randy Vines (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The City is My Canvas (Hardcover)

Richard Haas is an extraordinary artist who uses buildings rather than conventional materials for his artwork. His work is displayed on historic buildings in some of the world's greatest cities. Because of his art, some of these buildings have been saved from the wrecking ball. Not only is Mr. Haas's work exciting and interesting to look at, but it also brings life back to aging cities. Definitely a great coffee table book.