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User:deCombray/powerHouse Books

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DeCombray/powerHouse Books
Founded1995
FounderDaniel Power
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationBrooklyn
DistributionRandom House Publisher Services
Publication typesBooks
Nonfiction topicsphotography, design, fine art
ImprintsPOW! Books
Official websitewww.powerhousebooks.com

powerHouse Books is an independent publisher of art and photography books founded in 1995 by Daniel Power.[1] Located near the Brooklyn waterfront of DUMBO, the powerHouse offices double as a gallery, bookstore and innovative event space that is often used to promote artists working with the publisher. Dubbed the powerHouse Arena, the space seeks to be a laboratory for creative thought.[2] The house is known for publishing both famous photographers and artists known for work in other fields. They release about 40 books a year.

History

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Drawing on his experience at Aperture, Artforum, and Distributed Art Publishers, Daniel Power launched powerHouse Books in 1995 with the publication of All of a Sudden by Jack Pierson.[3][4] Soon joined by Craig Cohen, powerHouse books scored early successes with Women Before 10 A.M. (1998) by Véronique Vial, X-Ray (1999) by François Nars of NARS Cosmetics,[5] and Life is Paradise (1999) by Francesco Clemente and Vincent Katz.[6]

Later best-sellers include New York September 11 by Magnum Photographers (2001),[7] Back in the Days (2001) by Jamel Shabazz, and Phil Stern: A Life’s Work (2003) by Phil Stern.[8] In November 2008, the book Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History-Making Presidential Campaign by Scout Tufankjian sold out its initial print of 55,000 a month before its official December release, prompting powerHouse to print an additional 22,000 copies of the book.[9] In 2010, powerHouse published the first-ever translation of the Take Ivy by Teruyoshi Hayashida.[10] The book, originally released in Japan 1965, gained a cult following around the world.[11] GQ Magazine has commented, "Take Ivy has achieved near-mythical status among aficionados of American mid-century menswear, with facsimiled copies passed among style spotters like holy relics between true believers."[12] powerHouse Books has published the first authorized photographic record of John Wayne's life. [13] powerHouse Books also recently published the work of photographer Vivian Maier.[14] Completely unknown during her lifetime, Maier work for nearly forty years as a nanny in Chicago, Illinois. Her undeveloped work was discovered by local Chicago historian and collector, John Maloof, in 2007 and received widespread critical acclaim.[15][16] Continuing their dedication to emerging voices, the publisher release Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen in 2012.[17] First started as a blog, Advanced Style chronicles the vibrant street fashion of over New York's over-60 set.[18]

Other prominent artists who have partnered with the firm include Ron Galella, Helen Levitt, Danny Lyon, Larry Fink, and the photographic cooperative Magnum Photos.[19][20][21]

powerHouse Books is well-known for its custom publishing program and partnerships with major brands. In the past the company has collaborated with such companies as Calvin Klein, Urban Outfitters, Nike, Capitol Records, Getty Images, J. Crew, Saatchi and Saatchi, Pfizer, and the Gap among others.[22]

Discussing his philosophy of books, founder Power has noted, "On a given project we seek to adhere to an artist’s vision as best as we possibly can, but with a method to make it accessible and as easily discovered as possible by the public…be it classical photography, monographic photography, photojournalism, street culture"[3]

POW! Books

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In 2013, powerHouse book launched the POW! Books imprint focusing on elegantly designed children's books.[23]

powerHouse Arena

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powerHouse Books is associated with two bookstores - powerHouse Arena and powerHouse on 8th.[24] In addition to a carefully curated selection of books titles, both locations see themselves as much cultural hubs as simple bookstores and are noted for their popular events.[25] Commenting on the continued success of the physical locations in the age of Amazon and e-books, Power has noted, "Bringing flesh and blood into the world of ideas is something even the most jaded reporters will celebrate with ink, photos and links. Author appearances are bona fide community events for local beat reporters; your local press and bloggers will be eager to calendar your next sale, your next initiative — valuable exposure and incalculable brand reinforcement."[26]

References

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  1. ^ Lipinski, Jed (2012-08-29). "The Brooklyn state of mind: Kind to indie bookstores". Capital New York. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  2. ^ "The Elements: A Visual Exploration". nymag.com. New York Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b Soudek, Nikolai (2012-09-01). "Daniel Power: CEO powerHouse Books, Co-Founder, The NY Photo Festival". Contour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  4. ^ Goldberg, Vicki (1995-12-24). "PHOTOGRAPHY VIEW;Intimate Snapshots From the Underground". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  5. ^ Saint Louis, Catherine (2011-02-09). "François Nars: Behind the Makeup, a Low-Profile Artist". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  6. ^ Russell, John (1999-12-05). "LIFE IS PARADISE: The Portraits of Francesco Clemente. Essay and interview by Vincent Katz". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  7. ^ Arnold, Martin (2001-12-06). "MAKING BOOKS; The Market For Tragedy". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  8. ^ George, Lynell (2003-10-26). "Artistry on the sly". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History Making Presidential Campaign by Tufankjian". bestsellers.about.com. About.com. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  10. ^ "The Rights Stuff: The Publication of "Take Ivy"". www.ivy-style.com. Ivy Style. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  11. ^ Trebay, Guy (2010-07-23). "Prep, Forward and Back". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  12. ^ Bilmes, Alex (2010-09-03). "A league of its own". GQ. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "John Wayne: The Legend and the Man". huffingtonpost.com. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  14. ^ "PowerHouse Books to Publish Vivian Maier: Street Photographer". artdaily.com. Art Daily. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  15. ^ Beck, Katie (January 21, 2011). "Vivian Maier: A life's lost work seen for first time". BBC. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  16. ^ Kotlowitz, Alex (2011-08). "The Best Street Photographer You've Never Heard Of". Mother Jones. Retrieved May 7, 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Bobb, Brooke (2012-05-23). "Ari Seth Cohen Celebrates Advanced Style With A Book, A Movie And Age-Defying Fashion Icons". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  18. ^ Lim, James (2012-03-18). "First Looks: Advanced Style's Ari Seth Cohen on His First-Ever Photo Book, Marc Jacobs's Fall Show, and Tommy Ton". New York Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  19. ^ ex=1348113600&en=0cea249196b71ccb&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink "36 Hours in New York". New York Times. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2008. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check |url= value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |lastGefter= and |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Banks, Eric (10 June 2005). "When a Neighborhood Fell, and Barely Made a Sound". New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Best Sellers". New York Times. 1 December 2001. Retrieved 18 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "PowerHouse Books Enjoying Growth Spurt". www.publishersweekly.com. Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  23. ^ Davis, Nicole (2013-10-11). "The Original Eloise Was a Boy, and Other New Children's Books". Brooklyn Based. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  24. ^ Rosenberg, Eli (2012-08-24). "Beloved DUMBO bookstore to open in Park Slope". The Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  25. ^ Deahl, Rachel (2008-12-01). "PowerHouse Sees Green With Event Space". Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  26. ^ Power, Daniel (2014-03-26). "There's Beauty in Careful Curation". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
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