Vibia’s summer Reading list

Ángel Cayuela invites us to delve into the life and mind of the multifaceted Renaissance artist, goldsmith, sculptor, minter, writer, musical instrumentalist, improvised artilleryman, and quarrelsome swordsman, Benvenuto Cellini with Vida. An autobiography saturated with self-importance and narcissism, written between 1558 and 1562, which grabs your attention with its anecdotes and intrigues inspired by a character who had encounters and disagreements with figures such as Popes Clement VII and Paul III, was imprisoned by the Inquisition in Florence, accused of murdering a member of the Medici family, and managed to finally escape prison.

The Universe in Your Hand, by Christophe Galfard, is the book selected by Lucile Biscrat, who has always been fascinated by space and its immensity. An unconventional popular science book, it immerses and leads readers through a fascinating, sensorial journey through the space and time of the cosmos. Whether explaining the atoms that make up our bodies, or black holes of space, or the limits of the universe, Galfard uses a simple, approachable, and emotional tone, making this book the ideal companion for a thoughtful interlude this summer.

The Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta is the focus of Nicola Bortolaso’s recommended read, Snøhetta: People, Process, Projects. An inspirational book, it’s neither a manual nor a simple portfolio of buildings, which without getting bogged down in technical jargon, provides good ideas and interesting insights. Its pages reflect how one of the world’s leading architecture studios thinks, works, and creates; through projects that, beyond their built structures, deal with people and how they experience space, light, landscapes, and emotions. Available in English and with bilingual editions in Italian or Spanish, it’s an easy and enjoyable read, full of images and anecdotes.

Chosen by Elisabet Jerez, Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death, and Art, by Rebecca Wragg Sykes, is not just another book about human evolution. This moving work completely transforms our view of Neanderthals, far from portraying them as primitive beings, instead it presents them as complex and sensitive individuals, close to us both physically and emotionally. Thanks to recent discoveries in genetics and archaeology, we know that these humans experienced emotions, cared for one another, worked together, and appreciated beauty, painted, collected aesthetic objects, and buried their dead.

String Theory, by David Foster Wallace, is suggested by James McDonough. A relatively short book of essays, ostensibly a book about tennis which goes beyond the subject matter to analyse what it means to be human, what it takes to master something, and the obsessive allure of people who dedicate themselves completely to a single activity. Wallace writes about a sport he adores in order to examine human excellence, discipline, identity, and mortality, through pages that are sometimes dense, but also very conscious and sometimes even funny.

Pau Vendrell invites us to immerse ourselves in the art of photography and its power to transform our way of seeing the world. Susan Sontag‘s book, On Photography, brings together a collection of essays that reflect on this discipline and how it influences our perception of reality, both from an aesthetic and cultural perspective.

Julia Barberán chooses In Praise of Shadows, in which Junichirô Tanizaki offers a different perspective on light, not as an element that takes centre stage, but in harmony with its antonym, shade. A short, accessible, and very useful read for anyone working with light, ideal for unwinding this summer and coming back with fresh ideas.

Lighting Design for Urban Environments and Architecture, by Kaoru Mende, is the book recommended by Alex Huang. A must-read for all lovers of and anyone interested in lighting design, it offers a broad perspective on lighting planning and concepts for different scenarios, from general lighting schemes for urban areas to individual projects that also include details on the implementation of the installations.

Marga Pérez recommends Deu Cases Deu Nits (Ten Houses Ten Nights), by Núria Moliner for summer reading. Through 24-hour stays in emblematic homes of contemporary Catalan architecture, the author offers an intimate and thoughtful insight that highlights their cultural importance, and sustainability credentials. A recommended read for anyone interested in understanding architecture and aesthetics and exploring how it impacts on their lives and communities.

Raúl Ungueti ends this summer’s selection with the Ken Follett classic, The Pillars of the Earth. A story that revolves around the construction of a cathedral during the Middle Ages, full of details about how those stone behemoths were built and that offers a master class in medieval architecture. Through its pages, the book invites the reader to discover the structural importance of arches, vaults and buttresses in a fun and entertaining way; between the drama, the betrayals and passions of very well-constructed characters that capture the reader through a series of exciting stories.