Mexican Contemporary (World Design Series)

Rating:
Summary: Mexican Contemporary--"sequel" to Casa Mexicana
Review: Another stunning pictorial of Mexican architecture, in the tradition of Casa Mexicana by Tim Street-Porter. The photography throughout this book is stunning, an inspirational source book of Mexican spaces, forms, colors and workmanship. Focusing on contemporary classics by Yturbe and Mestre, among others, Mexican Contemporary expands upon the contemporary chapters of Casa Mexicana. The only downside to this book is the repetition of much material already so well presented in Casa Mexicana (though the additional photographic glimpses into Mexican architecture are always welcome).

Rating:
Summary: Just magnificent!
Review: Never have I seen such incredible collection of unique architecture in Mexico. Not only was I inspired by the color, but it also provided me with a much better understanding of how significant the influence of Luis Barragan has been far reaching in today's modern world. Simply inspirational..

Rating:
Summary: A bit low on content
Review: While this is a nice enough book, there isn't a whole lot here. Photos are lovely, but they don't show a lot. I should explain that, as a designer, I use books constantly to spur my own inspiration, so I prefer to see more images, more details, more graphics showing how spaces work and flow together.

While the color reproduction is excellent, and in fact the photos are beautiful, as an inspirational tool I would have to put it way behind many other books on the subject. "Mexican Color" and "Mexicolor" are both better, and showcase equally excellent photography and reproduction but with more images and more ideas. The best books I have ever seen on old and new Mexican architecture and gardens are in a series by Patricia O'Gorman ( I own two, "Patios & Gardens of Mexico, and "Tradition of Craftsmanship in Mexican Homes", but there are more in the series). These are great design source books, stuffed with ideas. Photography is black and white, though, so you miss out on the wonderful colors.

I find "Mexican Contemporary" a pretty book but rather a pretentious and superficial one; mostly the reader is given only vignette photos, close ups, highly mannered interior set ups, squeaky clean views into the homes of some of Mexico's super-wealthy. There are some contexural shots: a palm tree against a blue wall, black and white details of pyramics, a 2 page spread of sunflowers and bougainvillea, and a few nice photos of traditional azuelos.

For me, there's just not enough content here.