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XL
XL books are at least 34 cm (13.4 in.) high, with the exception of landscape-format titles
The Ken Adam Archive
1000
A giant of production design, Sir Ken Adam was the architect of Cold War satire and the inspiration behind the sinister lairs of James Bond’s adversaries. Featuring an unmatched wealth of material from his archive of sketches, concepts, and photographs held by the Deutsche Kinemathek, this hand-signed edition honors an indelible, decorated career.
Collector’s Edition of 1,200 numbered copies, each signed by Sir Ken Adam
Collector’s Edition of 1,200 numbered copies, each signed by Sir Ken Adam
The Man Who Drew the Cold War.
Christopher Frayling in conversation with Ken Adam
Edition of 1,200Hardcover bound in iridescent bicolor fabric with tipped-in, four-phase lenticular, 36 x 36 cm, 3.88 kg, 360 pages, with acrylic, engraved bookstand
“A suitably colossal tome to mark the mind behind the most ambitious film sets ever built.”
“A beautiful new illustrated book.”
“…shares sketches, concept art and photos from the artist’s own collection. Commentary and interviews provide context and insight, but the man’s body of work really speaks for itself.”
“Looking through this staggering amount of work… Adam’s vision is constantly clear, concise, creative and ambitious, and it soon becomes obvious why he left such an indelible mark on his craft, his industry and, more widely, the history of cinema.”
“A good film production designer must be an architect, engineer, painter, decorator, draughtsman and visionary. Sir Ken Adam was all of these and more.”
XL
XL books are at least 34 cm (13.4 in.) high, with the exception of landscape-format titles
The Ken Adam Archive
1000The Man Who Drew the Cold War
The production designs of the Oscar-winning Sir Ken Adam
Winner of two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, and the Art Directors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and knighted for distinguished services to film, Sir Ken Adam is widely acknowledged as the world’s most influential production designer. This signed Collector’s Edition is realized in collaboration with the Deutsche Kinemathek, which was honored with Adam’s personal archive in 2012, and is illustrated by hundreds of sketches and photographs, many of them never published to this date.
Whether in the sprawling extravagance of You Only Live Twice’s volcanic lair, or the unassuming simplicity of the sinister anteroom in Dr. No, Adam’s designs were indispensable to the look and feel of seven of the early James Bond films. In The Ken Adam Archive, his artworks are carefully complimented by a wealth of behind-the-scenes photographs, documents, and archival material on the films, courtesy of EON Productions.
Not only did Adam craft the space stations, bunkers, and laboratories of 007’s villains, he was responsible for many of his memorable vehicles, as whimsical as they were menacing: from the amphibious Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me to Goldfinger’s gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5, the ultimate combination of futuristic weaponry and tongue-in-cheek wit.
The book also recalls, through a series of illuminating interviews between Adam and author Sir Christopher Frayling, the highs and lows of his close but tumultuous collaborations with Stanley Kubrick – including the design of the War Room in Dr. Strangelove – alongside many more standout moments from his career. Steven Spielberg called the War Room “the best set in the history of the movies”.
Accompanied by authoritative essays and introductions from Frayling, who is also Adam’s biographer, The Ken Adam Archive reflects upon the life and work of the German-British refugee and fighter pilot who would go on to realize a celebrated career in production design, spanning seven decades and over 50 films.
Collector’s Edition of 1,200 numbered copies, each signed by Sir Ken Adam, with acrylic, engraved bookstand
Whether in the sprawling extravagance of You Only Live Twice’s volcanic lair, or the unassuming simplicity of the sinister anteroom in Dr. No, Adam’s designs were indispensable to the look and feel of seven of the early James Bond films. In The Ken Adam Archive, his artworks are carefully complimented by a wealth of behind-the-scenes photographs, documents, and archival material on the films, courtesy of EON Productions.
Not only did Adam craft the space stations, bunkers, and laboratories of 007’s villains, he was responsible for many of his memorable vehicles, as whimsical as they were menacing: from the amphibious Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me to Goldfinger’s gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5, the ultimate combination of futuristic weaponry and tongue-in-cheek wit.
The book also recalls, through a series of illuminating interviews between Adam and author Sir Christopher Frayling, the highs and lows of his close but tumultuous collaborations with Stanley Kubrick – including the design of the War Room in Dr. Strangelove – alongside many more standout moments from his career. Steven Spielberg called the War Room “the best set in the history of the movies”.
Accompanied by authoritative essays and introductions from Frayling, who is also Adam’s biographer, The Ken Adam Archive reflects upon the life and work of the German-British refugee and fighter pilot who would go on to realize a celebrated career in production design, spanning seven decades and over 50 films.
Collector’s Edition of 1,200 numbered copies, each signed by Sir Ken Adam, with acrylic, engraved bookstand
The artist
Sir Ken Adam, born in 1921 in Berlin, first trained as an architect before starting out in the film industry as a draughtsman, progressing quickly to art director and production designer on several major films. Known particularly for his semi-futuristic designs and use of modern technologies and materials, Adam collaborated with such top-class directors as John Ford, Jacques Tourneur, Robert Aldrich, and of course Stanley Kubrick.
The author
Born in 1946, Sir Christopher Frayling is a renowned British author, writer and critic. With a particular interest in popular culture, he taught at the University of Bath and also served as the Rector of the Royal College of Art. As chairman of the Arts and the Design Council and former governor of the British Film Institute, he is a leading voice in the world of movie and design history.
The Ken Adam Archive
Edition of 1,200Hardcover bound in iridescent bicolor fabric with tipped-in, four-phase lenticular, 36 x 36 cm, 3.88 kg, 360 pages, with acrylic, engraved bookstandISBN 978-3-8365-5187-8
Edition: EnglishDownload product images here
5
Wonderful
August 29, 2024
A wonderful collection of the work of a extremely talented and innovative film production designer. It should be in the collection of anyone interested in motion picture art directionTruly Spectacular
May 10, 2024
A remarkable, impressively constructed celebration of the life and work of production designer Ken Adam (father of the famous War Room in Dr. Strangelove). Superb binding makes it possible to open the book widely without worrying about damaging the book. Everything Taschen produces is of extraordinary quality and this is no exception. Between this and Taschen's Stanley Kubrick's The Shining set, the last 12 months have been a breathless time for film and Kubrick fans. I am amazed and grateful that Taschen believes these artists are worth the precision, time and investment that goes into producing such incredible volumes. Thank you, Taschen!Ken Adam Archive XXL Collector's Edition
July 26, 2023
This is a great book as ever from Taschen.
A large, quality book with beautiful, glossy photos of Sir Ken's work
The large photos enable you to view the images in all their glory.
Being a big 007 fan, I am glad to have a book signed by Sir Ken Adam.
Pride of place in my book collection.
Thank you Taschen.
Great service!