The Pyramids and the Sphinx: Art and Archaeology by Corinna Rossi AUC Press 160pp
Egypt's many pyramids and the Great Sphinx are the most widely recognized symbols of Ancient and modern Egypt alike. Mysterious and irresistible to the eye, these massive structures — over eighty of which remain, scattered largely along the west bank of the Nile — evoke the religious system and beliefs of one of the most highly refined and evolved of ancient civilizations. Even today, we don't entirely understand how they were constructed and what techniques were used, but recent research and excavations have thrown new light on life at the building sites and on the daily existence of generations of designers and craftsmen who dedicated their lives to these immense constructions. Bursting with full-color photographs and drawings, this beautifully illustrated book serves as a wonderful introduction to these royal monuments. The straightforward text explains the history and significance not only of the famous Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, but also of the lesser-known tombs that stretch from Saqqara to Meidum and Dashur. The Pyramids and the Sphinx draws on the most recent archaeological findings to lead the reader on a discovery of the most fascinating aspects of Egyptian civilization. Combining majestic aerial shots with close-up photographs of interior artwork and reliefs, this guide is a must-have for anyone with a serious interest in archaeology. Chant Avedissian: Cairo Stencil EDITed BY Rose Issa Saqi Books 144pp
Chant Avedissian's stenciled monoprints are common sights in Cairo. They decorate the homes of the wealthy and hang on the walls of trendy restaurants and bars. The main themes of his monotypes romanticize the era of his childhood, from the 1950s through the 1970s, celebrating glamour and idealism through portraits of opera singers, starlets, divas and royalty. This coffee table book gives a wonderful overview of Avedissian's works and life. Rose Issa gives an informative introduction not just to Avedissian's rise to fame, but also to Egypt's self-discovery and transformation after colonial rule. Each of the nine sections of the book begins with a short explanation of the next theme before turning to his highly colored and captivating images. Avedissian was born in 1951 in Cairo, the son of Armenian refugees who fled the Turkish incursions of 1915-16. After studying art in Canada and France during the 1970s, Avedissian returned to Egypt, where he fused the techniques, concepts and cosmopolitan experiences acquired abroad with the heritage of his Armenian-Egyptian background to produce striking commentaries on the world around him. His artistry in works on display in Europe, the United States and Jordan ranges from photography to costume and textile design to painted stencils. Rainbow: English Castle Magic by Martin Popoff Metal BlADE 230pp
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow is one of those diminished legends that will forever be referred to as "a Deep Purple offshoot," which is of course true, but so disgustingly unfair to the majesty of Blackmore's 'solo' vehicle. Rainbow produced a varied and brilliant catalog of work in its lifetime, and one can only hope that Blackmore sees the light — or at least the dollar signs — and launches a reunion in some fashion. Until such a time, items like this excellent tome keep both interest and nostalgia at the forefront. Ostensibly a collection of in-depth album reviews buttressed with interview snippets and historical references, Rainbow: English Castle Magic is eminently crafted by Martin Popoff, one of the brightest chroniclers of hard rock. Popoff is obviously a fan, but yields to a pure journalistic desire to tell the whole story, even if it is a bit rough on the objects of his admiration. Not as in-depth or as fully fleshed-out as a proper biography might have been, this work is nonetheless direct and endlessly interesting with so much perspective that Popoff should consider a complete biography project on the subject. Within its 230 pages you will find a nearly endless array of stories, some untold until now, laid out in chronological order which has the (likely unintended) effect of causing the reader to drop the book and run for the discs on which Popoff is waxing. These albums/CDs/tapes yield much more when spun with a Popoff-inspired fresh ear. A reference work that I will use for years to come, Rainbow: English Castle Magic is but one in a series of such books by Popoff and I shall be eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next. See www.metalblade.com or www.martinpopoff.com for easiest ordering info. 40 Pyramids of Egypt and their Neighbors Photographs by Sherif Sonbol, Text by Peter Snowdon Cyperus Press 96pp
Rare is the photographer who looks at a familiar art form and shows it in a new light. But Sherif Sonbol's stunning and revelatory photographs [demonstrate] a particularly agile eye, frequently abstracting shapes into dynamic and explosive bursts of color. Even when Mr. Sonbol concentrates on stillness, he exemplifies that a pause is not a pause but 'an act of accomplishment'." So says Anna Kisselgoff of Egyptian photographer Sherif Sonbol's recent work in a New York Times review, underscoring how rare it is for an Egyptian book to win rave international reviews. 40 Pyramids, Sonbol's latest self-published tome, is a reasonably daring enterprise in a time when the nation seems to be showing disinterest in books of this format. But Sonbol, an established photographer who is probably best known for being his generation's top professional specializing in capturing ballets and other High Art performances on film, plunges on. Here, though, there is a dramatic shift in interest as he primarily focuses on architecture. Not just any old form of architecture, but the masterpieces of Ancient Egypt surrounded with grandeur and mysticism. Sonbol takes us on an exciting journey to explore the Pyramids of Egypt after splitting them into 10 geographic territories, namely: Giza, Abu Sir, Saqqara, Dashur, Fayoum, Minya, Sohag, Luxor, Edfu and Aswan. Interesting? Sure. But what makes it all special is his decision to twin photos of ancient artifacts with shots of the lives of those who live in those same locations. Nowhere is Sonbol's artistry more on display than in the chapter on Giza. You may have seen countless photographs of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, but Sonbol has fresh angles that display the 'agile eye' to which Kisselgoff refers. The images in this chapter include an amazing (if somewhat small) shot of a passageway inside the great pyramid. The Fayoum chapter boasts an impressive (and unconventional) night shot of the Snoferu Pyramid and, in stark contrast, the famous waterwheels, which are second only to the full-spread image of the great cemetery in the Minya chapter. That said, Photoshopped images are the only disappointment in the book, of which there are more than a few. The skies, in particular, look oddly artificial on a handful of occasions. Look out for the soon-to-be-released second history-related installment from this talented photographer on newsstands soon; the subject: palaces. et | 
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