In this session we will focus on the figure of Joost Grootens, a Dutch graphic designer specialising in the design of books on architecture, urban planning and art. His work is characterised by the handling of large amounts of information in the form of statistical data, maps and diagrams. His ability to visualise data has made him a benchmark in the field of visual communication. 

Taking as a starting point a retrospective book of his own work entitled “I swear I use no art at all”, we can get to know his design philosophy and some notable examples of his editorial production.

The book has been the medium and the message of the diverse movements in the arts during the last century. The book, with its emphatic material presence, takes on a special value now that we are witnessing its dematerialization, reduced to digital data in electronic format.

Over the Bookworm sessions we will explore several iconic books that capture the spirit of the era in which they were designed. We will place the books in their context and try to define what makes them relevant in the history of 20th century book design. The Bookworm sessions are guided by Andreu Jansà, librarian and curator of the Enric Bricall Reserve Fund.