RENAULT = PRESENT

Limited edition. Publisher's original aluminium covers with black titles to the spine, front and rear covers. Unpaginated. 720pp. 17 x 24cm. Text in English. Illustrated profusely throughout with full page and double spread technical diagrams and photographs, printed in various monochrome colours on thin aluminium pages. In the original silver Renault padded pouch. Designed by the Dutch graphic designer Irma Boom in collaboration with Laurens Van Den Acker, (Senior Vice-President of Design at Renault), and writer Niklas Maak. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with the lightest of surface marks to the covers and a couple of light scratches to the spine, are otherwise bright, clean and without creasing. The contents, with light oxidization to the first page are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the fine original Renault pouch, which is without loss or tears. An attractive example of a fragile and innovative piece of book design.

'Renault = Present' was commissioned in 2016 to celebrate the beginning of a new design cycle at Renault and the announcement of the concept car 'Trezor'. It was created by the Dutch graphic designer Irma Boom, a specialist in book design and the youngest recipient of the Gutenberg Prize (2001). Known for her innovative and experimental design approach, she has created over 300 books, for clients such as SHV, Chanel, the artist Sheila Hicks and the Rijks Museum. Examples of her work are held in collections all over the world, including MOMA New York and Centre Pompidou. Printed solely on aluminium sheets 'Renault = Present' encapsulates the physicality of the car, whilst boldly illustrating the history and future of design at Renault. The text by Niklas Maak and an interview with Laurens Van Den Acker discuss Renault in a historical and philosophical context. An impressive and expensive production which was never available commercially, uncommon thus.