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The
demise of books has been foretold by many pundits, but perhaps the writing
is now on the wall ... or in this case, the bookshelf. Specifically, the
IKEA bookshelf.
John Biggs of TechCrunch wrote:
If you needed any more proof that the age of dead-tree books is over take a look at these alarming style changes at Ikea: the furniture manufacturer’s iconic BILLY bookcase – the bookcase that everyone put together when they got their first apartment and, inevitably, pounded the nails wrong into – is becoming deeper and more of a curio cabinet. Why? Because Ikea is noticing that customers no longer buy them for books.
This isn’t quite the canary in the coal mine – think of it as a slight tickle in the mine foreman’s throat – but all signs are pointing to the end of the physical book. There are plenty of analogs to this situation. When’s the last time you saw a casette tape rack sold outside of Odd Lots? What about the formal “stereo cabinet” with plenty of room for records? What about Virgin Megastores?
As much as it pains me to say this and as horrible as it sounds, the book is leaving us.
Link | More from The Economist
This bookshelf designed by Corentin Dombrecht is purr-fect for a home with cats -since they are going to climb your bookshelves anyway! The wood is unpainted and unvarnished to prevent a cat from slipping, and there’s a built-in cat hammock on the top. The Cat-Library™ doesn’t seem to be available for sale -yet, but it is making the rounds of design shows. Link -via Metafilter
Watch the books dance around while the clock spins in this time-lapse video. It will make you smile. -via Boing Boing
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Designer David Garcia made this circular bookcase that the reader can use for both storage and transportation:
ARCHIVE II, a round wheel book archive, functions as a nomadic library, where the user can travel with his own books. Once still, it creates a room for meeting and inspiration, generating a special acoustic echo for the reader inside the wheel.
Link via DVICE | Photo: David Garcia
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends (2009) by Ron Arad
The meaning behind the name of Ron Arad‘s USA-shaped bookcase (Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends – whaaaa?), but it’s easy to see how cool it would be hanging on the wall!
It’s currently being exhibited at the Timothy Taylor Gallery: Link – via otto
