On Sunday, September 28th from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM the Book Beat is honored to present a new title by Detroit Free Press architecture critic John Gallagher and renowned photographer Balthazar Korab. The book, Great Architecture from Michigan, is recently published by Wayne State University press. With photographs by Balthazar Korab and text by John Gallagher, Great Architecture of Michigan will be a treasured volume, indispensible for anyone wanting to learn more about Michigan’s impressive architectural legacy. John Gallagher and Balthazar Korab will be at the event to sign books and discuss this exciting project, combining some of the finest architectural history and photography of Michigan into a single keepsake artbook.

We will also be presenting a new third edition of Art in Detroit Public Places by art historian Dennis Alan Nawrocki and photographer David Clements. This new and updated edition of a classic guidebook considers over 150 pieces organized by section into six geographical districts of metropolitan Detroit. Each of these sections is accompanied by a comprehensive street map for easy planning of walking or driving tours, and the artworks in it are presented with individual descriptive histories and photographs. Art and Architecture enthusiasts, and all citizens interested in the rich diversity of our city and state will appreciate this afternoon celebration.

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The non-profit Michigan Architectural Foundation helps the public understand, evaluate, and enjoy architecture and recognize the importance of the built environment. To that end MAF sifted through nearly 500 of Michigan’s most architecturally significant buildings to winnow the list for this volume to 150. With photographs by Balthazar Korab and text by John Gallagher, this book will be indispensible for anyone wanting to learn more about Michigan’s impressive architectural legacy.

In addition to icons like the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, and the Fisher Building in Detroit, this volume includes vernacular charms like the D. H. Day Farm near Sleeping Bear Dunes, architectural survivors like the Point Betsie Lighthouse, and some thirty-five private homes. A spirited collection of churches, theaters, office towers, stadiums, and government buildings rounds out the selections. The emphasis throughout is to help the public see, understand, and appreciate what makes these buildings great. Gallagher has foresworn technical jargon in favor of easily readable text that evaluates each building in its public context, in terms of what it means for real people.

The combination of Korab’s artful yet documentary photographs, Gallagher’s evocative yet concise descriptions, and an elegant and clear design make this book one to be treasured for years to come.

Balthazar Korab is an award-winning photographer whose images have been exhibited in prominent museums such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Centre Canadian d’Architecture, and the Venice Biennale. His work is also included in many collections, including the Chase Manhattan Collection, the Menil Collection, and the United States Library of Congress.

John Gallagher is architecture critic for the Detroit Free Press and co-author of AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. 

The Book Beat is an independent bookstore serving the metro Detroit area since 1982. We specialize in art, children's books and quality literature. Visit us online at: thebookbeat.com.  

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