Wordplay: The Art and Science of Ambigrams - Hardcover

Langdon, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593055691 ISBN 13: 9780593055694

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2005

Synopsis

If the name Langdon sounds familiar, it's because Dan Brown named the intrepid protagonist of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons after ambigram- and symbol-designer John Langdon. Widely recognized as a master of the art of the ambigram form, John Langdon does with words what M.C. Escher and Salvador Dali did with images. An ambigram is where language, science, philosophy and illusion come together in the design of a word which is manipulated to create a surprising illusion.

In this book John Langdon shows us how we can expand our understanding of terms and concepts by looking at ambigrams - words designed to be read upside down, back to front, or in a mirror as well as left to right.

He not only presents the reader with a number of strikingly beautiful and arresting ambigrams but also shows how the very shape of the letters can change our idea of the word itself and its meaning. He even disarmingly demonstrates how one goes about making an ambigram. But be warned: it's not as easy as it looks.

WORDPLAY is the ultimate collection, featuring a foreword by Dan Brown-for all those who just can't get enough of the intriguing symbols in his bestselling novels..

About this title

Product Description:

Bantam Press 1st. Edition.

Review:

"'If you've not experienced the artwork of John Langdon, you're in for a treat. A brilliant alchemist of symbols and language.'" (Dan Brown)

"'I can imagine no reader of this delightful, fantastic volume who cannot enjoy the magic of Langdon's creations and the Taoist insights of his commentaries'" (Martin Gardner)

"'John Langdon is a marvellous creator and a consummate artist. The combination yields some of the most beautiful trompe l'oeil lettering ever designed. Wordplay sparkles with elegant visual discoveries and conveys Langdon's deep love of both pattern and illusion'" (Douglas R. Hofstadter)

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0593055691
• ISBN 13: 9780593055694
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224