Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Rizzoli (2013), Edition: Har/Bklt N, Hardcover, 396 pages
Description
An extraordinary and surreal art book, this edition has been redesigned by the author and includes new illustrations. Ever since the Codex Seraphinianus was first published in 1981, the book has been recognized as one of the strangest and most beautiful art books ever made. This visual encyclopedia of an unknown world written in an unknown language has fueled much debate over its meaning. Written for the information age and addressing the import of coding and decoding in genetics, literary criticism, and computer science, the Codex confused, fascinated, and enchanted a generation. While its message may be unclear, its appeal is obvious: it is a most exquisite artifact. Blurring the distinction between art book and art object, this anniversary edition-redesigned by the author and featuring new illustrations-presents this unique work in a new, unparalleled light. With the advent of new media and forms of communication and continuous streams of information, the Codex is now more relevant and timely than ever. A special limited and numbered deluxe edition that includes a signed print is also available.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member pinax
I purchased this a year or so ago. I've longed to even see a copy for quite a while; it's a geek designer's dream of a book. I pored over various clips of pages posted on the internet, and tried to figure out a library/friend/associate that might have a copy I could see. Then one day, on a whim, I
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asked my favorite bookseller (The Other Change of Hobbit) if he had ever heard of the book. He gave me That Look. Well, if you know Dave Nee, then you are probably quite familiar with That Look. He said "wait right here", and off he sprang into Moria (the off-limits basement where All Good Things Wait). He came back bearing a nearly perfect copy of the Abbeville edtion of the Codex. How well he knew me. I had to have it. I really did. I did not resist temptation; I didn't even try. It's mine now. Oh how beautiful. How strange. How very, very strange. I'm trying not to drool on it too much. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nandakishore_Varma
This book is a dream come true... literally. Ever since I saw it once on "world's weirdest books" list, I have wanted to possess it: however, the fact that it was very difficult to get hold of a copy and even if one was found, the price would very well drive it out of my reach forced me keep it on
It would be wrong to say that I have read Codex Seraphinianus - I haven't. In fact, nobody other than the author has. It is written in a totally incomprehensible and so far undeciphered language which the author, Luigi Serafini, has steadfastly refused to translate. The doubt remains that there is nothing to decipher - that it is all a giant hoax, meaningless scrolls and whorls meant to look like profound wisdom. This, we may never know.
The "Codex" is an illustrated encyclopaedia of sorts, with sections devoted to botany, zoology, anatomy, geography etc. - at least, so much we can infer from the layout and the pictures. But the country it describes is something imagined by Hieronymus Bosch and M.C.Escher on acid, with some liberal help from Salvador Dali and Luis Bunuel. In some aspects, it is very much like our world: but as one looks closer, the weirdness begins to be apparent. Trees which uproot themselves and jump into the water like lemmings; chairs which are grown and harvested; human beings composed partly of firearms; a copulating couple who merge into a crocodile; human beings composed of balls of wool and umbrellas from the waist up... the eerie images can be enumerated ad inifinitum. The funny thing is that, we get a feeling that we just need to understand the language to make sense of this strange and wonderful world: being unable to do so frustrates us. I found myself constantly pondering... what meaning is hidden in those strange squiggles?
The author may have meant it as a joke, but I think this book illustrates one profound characteristic of language. Unless we infuse meaning into those lines and curves, and link them with sounds and meanings, isn't all language nonsense? For example, my son and wife can read Arabic, so they stop and read the signboards on the the roadside, but for me those beautiful snakelike markings are just decoration.
The highest recommendation for any connoisseur of the weird (like me!).
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a very remote wishlist. Until Liz provided me with a pdf copy. Thanks, Liz!It would be wrong to say that I have read Codex Seraphinianus - I haven't. In fact, nobody other than the author has. It is written in a totally incomprehensible and so far undeciphered language which the author, Luigi Serafini, has steadfastly refused to translate. The doubt remains that there is nothing to decipher - that it is all a giant hoax, meaningless scrolls and whorls meant to look like profound wisdom. This, we may never know.
The "Codex" is an illustrated encyclopaedia of sorts, with sections devoted to botany, zoology, anatomy, geography etc. - at least, so much we can infer from the layout and the pictures. But the country it describes is something imagined by Hieronymus Bosch and M.C.Escher on acid, with some liberal help from Salvador Dali and Luis Bunuel. In some aspects, it is very much like our world: but as one looks closer, the weirdness begins to be apparent. Trees which uproot themselves and jump into the water like lemmings; chairs which are grown and harvested; human beings composed partly of firearms; a copulating couple who merge into a crocodile; human beings composed of balls of wool and umbrellas from the waist up... the eerie images can be enumerated ad inifinitum. The funny thing is that, we get a feeling that we just need to understand the language to make sense of this strange and wonderful world: being unable to do so frustrates us. I found myself constantly pondering... what meaning is hidden in those strange squiggles?
The author may have meant it as a joke, but I think this book illustrates one profound characteristic of language. Unless we infuse meaning into those lines and curves, and link them with sounds and meanings, isn't all language nonsense? For example, my son and wife can read Arabic, so they stop and read the signboards on the the roadside, but for me those beautiful snakelike markings are just decoration.
The highest recommendation for any connoisseur of the weird (like me!).
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LibraryThing member thatguynate
An incredible, eccentric, one of a kind encyclopedia type tome cataloging what appears to be the plants, animals, chemistry, physics, sociology and history of a strange, surrealist dreamlike world not all together unlike (but entirely unlike) the one we are most familiar with.
The flowing,
Personally, I plan on using this book as a means to tell ridiculous stories to my grandchildren one day. Just think, "children, one night I had the most fantastic dream of a foreign land filled with plants and beast both strangely familiar and mindbogglingly bizarre. When I awoke after what felt like years exploring this strange land, I found myself clutching this book!"
The flowing,
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otherwordly script that comprises about half of the pages has been puzzling linguists for years, so far only the numbering sequence has been cracked. Considerable time has obviously been spent developing the language, whether it is meaningful in itself or only appears to be. The bright pictures and unique style captivate the imagination. While even the most recent and readily available edition is somewhat pricey, this book is a must have for collectors of the strange and artist book enthusiasts and worth every penny.Personally, I plan on using this book as a means to tell ridiculous stories to my grandchildren one day. Just think, "children, one night I had the most fantastic dream of a foreign land filled with plants and beast both strangely familiar and mindbogglingly bizarre. When I awoke after what felt like years exploring this strange land, I found myself clutching this book!"
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LibraryThing member Smiler69
A truly bizarre work which has often been described as the strangest book ever created, and which has to be experienced to be believed. The physical book is in itself a work of art, presented as a large format hardcover volume with countless colour illustrations printed on a high quality, thick,
I find I cannot rate this book, for the simple reason that I was completely enchanted in the beginning, as well as astounded at the level of detail, sheer work and vivid imagination put into this huge volume, but perhaps my own mood coloured my perception as I kept turning the pages because I was at times delighted and enchanted, and on some days I felt as though I was seeing nightmarish visions. I'm glad I was able to borrow this book from our national library system and didn't go ahead and spend the $80 listed price on it, as I may want to pore over it again once or twice, but ultimately found it too disturbing to have in my permanent collection. But that's just me. Others I'm sure will be delighted to own this fantastic volume, and for good reason.
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ridged paper, which make the coloured pencil and ink illustrations look as though they've been drawn directly on the page. The overall work has the aspect and organization of an encyclopedia, with clearly formatted pages of explanatory text and diagrams in a wholly invented language, presenting exquisite though illegible calligraphy throughout; the language of the book has defied linguists for decades, but one cannot help but try to make sense of it. Many "specimens" are shown in detailed drawings, from fantastical plant forms to local costumes, mechanical devices, architecture and landscapes, which could only exist in an alternate universe, the brain of someone on LSD, or as Serafini himself explained for this recent 2013 edition, from the mind of the cat who kept him company in the late 70s as Serafini worked feverishly on this project during 30 months, with the feline perched on his shoulders and transmitting his ideas to him telepathically. He in fact credits the cat as the true creator and himself merely as the scribe. Not surprisingly, Serafini himself is an Italian artist, architect and designer, who has, among other things worked with the famous surreal film director Federico Fellini, and his book has been compared to works by M.C. Escher and Hieronymus Bosch. I find I cannot rate this book, for the simple reason that I was completely enchanted in the beginning, as well as astounded at the level of detail, sheer work and vivid imagination put into this huge volume, but perhaps my own mood coloured my perception as I kept turning the pages because I was at times delighted and enchanted, and on some days I felt as though I was seeing nightmarish visions. I'm glad I was able to borrow this book from our national library system and didn't go ahead and spend the $80 listed price on it, as I may want to pore over it again once or twice, but ultimately found it too disturbing to have in my permanent collection. But that's just me. Others I'm sure will be delighted to own this fantastic volume, and for good reason.
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LibraryThing member shabacus
I am assuming that any readers of this review are familiar with what the Codex Seraphinianus is, even if they have not read it themselves. There is a very good Wikipedia article on it, and that should convey better than I ever could just what lies between the deceptively plain cover of this
The Codex is a mystery. The author stated that he wanted to capture the feeling a child has when he or she is paging through a book way above their grade level. There are pictures, but the importance of those pictures is lost. And there is text, oh so much text, which seems to hold all of the answers, but which is impossible to comprehend.
He had done so, and then some. Because we read this book as an adult, we assume that the contents must be greater than what an adult brain can comprehend, and assign to it importance far more than it (probably) has. And yet, there is a level of depth which is susceptible to analysis. For example, the number system used in the book has, apparently, been decoded. (I understand that it is a base-21 system which shares certain traits with Roman numerals, though I have not verified this myself.) The fact that even a small part of the text has yielded to understanding forces the implication that there may be other secrets yet to be deciphered.
The Codex is like music. It has meaning without having semantic meaning. Ultimately, it is as meaningful as the way it makes you feel.
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book.The Codex is a mystery. The author stated that he wanted to capture the feeling a child has when he or she is paging through a book way above their grade level. There are pictures, but the importance of those pictures is lost. And there is text, oh so much text, which seems to hold all of the answers, but which is impossible to comprehend.
He had done so, and then some. Because we read this book as an adult, we assume that the contents must be greater than what an adult brain can comprehend, and assign to it importance far more than it (probably) has. And yet, there is a level of depth which is susceptible to analysis. For example, the number system used in the book has, apparently, been decoded. (I understand that it is a base-21 system which shares certain traits with Roman numerals, though I have not verified this myself.) The fact that even a small part of the text has yielded to understanding forces the implication that there may be other secrets yet to be deciphered.
The Codex is like music. It has meaning without having semantic meaning. Ultimately, it is as meaningful as the way it makes you feel.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Italian artist Luigi Serafini's Codex Seraphinianus is a gorgeous illuminated manuscript describing a world of the artist's imagining. One that's alien, yet familiar at the same time. The invented language he uses also recalls several all at the same time: Arabic, ancient Greek, and the Burmese
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alphabet. It demands that the reader take the time to carefully pour over each illustration and line of script in order to glean some insight into this unfamiliar world. Serafini's description of the creative process recalls a cloistered monk carefully transcribing the mysteries of the universe by candlelight. This is a must-have for fans of the unusual or those who want to add wonder to their lives. Show Less
LibraryThing member kencf0618
My gifts are the stuff of family lore, and given that COVID19 birthdays and Christmas are now moveable feasts, but this was just too weird for for my nephews, even by my standards -they thought it was in Latin! Gorgeous and disturbing, enthralling and automatically written, it is an almost totally
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cryptic book which takes one back to childhood when one examined adult books with pictures when you were just beginning to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bunny20
This is one of those books that you keep out for a curiosity, for people to see on the coffee table and give it a look. The art is lovely, the "language" is interesting as you have zero clue what's being said (the author made up their own language here) but the art is off the charts. I love looking
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at this when I'm having an artistic slump and need something to jog the juices. Show Less
LibraryThing member seaward
The illustrations are often surreal parodies of things in our world: bleeding fruit; a plant that grows into roughly the shape of a chair and is subsequently made into one; a lovemaking couple that metamorphoses into an alligator; etc. Others depict odd, apparently senseless machines, often with a
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delicate appearance, kept together by tiny filaments. There are also illustrations readily recognizable, as maps or human faces. On the other hand, especially in the "physics" chapter, many images look almost completely abstract. Practically all figures are brightly coloured and rich in detail. Show Less
LibraryThing member Achromatic
A wonderful sequel to the Voynich manuscript, amazing combination recipe book, travel guide, specimen catalog, architecture text and sex manual.
Luigi Serafini reveals many weird mysteries and secrets of existence; Meta-physicians HATE him.
Highly recommended. Font takes a little while to get your
Luigi Serafini reveals many weird mysteries and secrets of existence; Meta-physicians HATE him.
Highly recommended. Font takes a little while to get your
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head around. Show Less
LibraryThing member cameling
Let your imagination soar with this beautifully illustrated book, written in a code or language that has stumped codebreakers for years. These works of art illustrate a fantastical world the reader is left to interpret to the outer most realm of his/her imagination.
LibraryThing member aeromaxtran
You have not seen bizarre until you have "read" this book!
LibraryThing member petervanbeveren
Italian artist Luigi Serafini's Codex Seraphinianus is a gorgeous illuminated manuscript describing a world of the artist's imagining. One that's alien, yet familiar at the same time. The invented language he uses also recalls several all at the same time: Arabic, ancient Greek, and the Burmese
Show More
alphabet. It demands that the reader take the time to carefully pour over each illustration and line of script in order to glean some insight into this unfamiliar world. Serafini's description of the creative process recalls a cloistered monk carefully transcribing the mysteries of the universe by candlelight. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
1981
Physical description
396 p.
ISBN
0847842134 / 9780847842131
Local notes
Ever since the Codex Seraphinianus was first published in 1981, the book has been recognized as one of the strangest and most beautiful art books ever made. This visual encyclopedia of an unknown world written in an unknown language has fueled much debate over its meaning.
This anniversary edition has been redesigned by the author and features new illustrations.
This anniversary edition has been redesigned by the author and features new illustrations.