Au fil de la joie. Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève

This extensive publication about the Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève, founded in 1929, adopts a design approach that is both systematic and playful, making excellent use of the diverse archive material without copying its aesthetic. Numerous puppets are depicted in several series of objective photographs, in most cases subtly posed individually against a light grey background with their strings visible. The accompanying captions run in a slim white gutter margin from bottom to top, perpendicular to the direction of reading. Other picture sections featuring historical photographs of performances, invariably presented full-bleed, are meticulously edited. Single pages of rust-coloured semi-card facilitate navigation of the seven main thematic chapters, while photographs of hands with fingers raised indicate the chapter number. The subsequent pages presenting the chapter titles interpret the theatrical theme with typographic playfulness. The essays in each chapter are followed by an image section with several annotated archival photographs per double page, offering different glimpses behind the scenes. The only slight reservation is about the cover design, featuring a lilac background and foil stamping, as it is not wholly in keeping with the visual language used inside the book. Nonetheless, the tight command over the design and the skilful realisation prevail. This is also evident in the body text, the selection of materials and the production, which make the book a highly accessible reference work that also sits very well in the hand.

Editor
Camille Bozonnet, Genève (CH)

Authors
Various

Design
Franziska Burkhardt, Zürich (CH)

Printing
TBS, La Buona Stampa SA, Lugano-Pregassona (CH)

Publisher
Éditions La Baconnière, Chêne-Bourg (CH)

ISBN
978-2-88960-126-4