Once there was life without books. It’s hard to imagine what that must have been like: an age of stories and knowledge of the world which stretched no farther than a day’s walk. The introduction of the written source constituted nothing less than the creation of a time and space capsule. The story, the idea, insight, knowledge were suddenly free of their messenger and were all able to bridge distances, able to surface, vanish and reappear.

Just as there was a time before the book, there will also be a time after it. In this issue ‘The Last Book’ project is taken up, but as to the consequences of publishing exclusively online – the loss of filters such as the publisher, editor and publication costs – we can only guess. Yet it is clear that our centuries old house of knowledge is undergoing a fundamental renovation, beginning with the solid base of the library.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008
7:30 PM

Jeffrey Inaba, INABA/C-Lab, GSAPP; Mark Wigley, Dean, GSAPP; and Richard Flood, Chief Curator, New Museum, will discuss philanthropy, education, architecture, and other forms of influence. Presented in conjunction with Inaba and C-Lab’s project for the Museum, “Donor Hall,” and the release of Issue 13 of Volume Magazine. Followed by reception and music by Jamo and Nick Kay.

for more info please check:
newmuseum.org/events

This event is free, but tickets are required. Please request a ticket for this event in person at the Visitor Desk the day of the event. Advance reservations are not available.

January 18, 2008
Rotterdam, Witte de With, 18:00

At the opening of the Liam Gillick ‘mid-career retrospective’ in Witte de With, Centre for Contemporary Art in Rotterdam, Volume will have a conversation with the artist. Gillick is known for his quality to avoid definition and for his ability to offset expectation. The invitation to present at Witte de With was accepted by Gillick inviting the staff of Witte de With to program part of the space during his ‘presence’ in the art centre.
Volume will confront Gillick’s method of working with the theme of V14: Unsolicited Architecture as a strategy and a practice.

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a note from the editors

V13 introduces a new format for Volume. Slightly smaller in size and thicker, it connects better to the direction Volume is exploring: research based, experimental and proactive. Easier to hold and handle, improved readability. Still, it won’t be just service and silence. You still can expect the odd insert and a completely different issue every now and then. But for the time being this is the new outfit. Check out and enjoy.

In the framework of the release of Volume 12: Al Manakh, Ole Bouman, Rem Koolhaas & Mark Wigley will discuss the developments around the Gulf.

Monday, 10 September, 20:00 at the Netherlands Architecture Institute