User:DeCombray/powerHouse Books

powerHouse Books is an independent publisher of art and photography books founded in 1995 by Daniel Power. Located near the Brooklyn waterfront of DUMBO, the powerHouse offices double as a gallery, bookstore and innovative event space that is often used to promote artists working with the publisher. Dubbed the powerHouse Arena, the space seeks to be a laboratory for creative thought. The house is known for publishing both famous photographers and artists known for work in other fields. They release about 40 books a year.

History
Drawing on his experience at Aperture, Artforum, and Distributed Art Publishers, Daniel Power launched powerHouse Books in 1995 with the publication of All of a Sudden by Jack Pierson. Soon joined by Craig Cohen, powerHouse books scored early successes with Women Before 10 A.M. (1998) by Véronique Vial, X-Ray (1999) by François Nars of NARS Cosmetics, and Life is Paradise (1999) by Francesco Clemente and Vincent Katz.

Later best-sellers include New York September 11 by Magnum Photographers (2001), Back in the Days (2001) by Jamel Shabazz, and Phil Stern: A Life’s Work (2003) by Phil Stern. In November 2008, the book Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History-Making Presidential Campaign by Scout Tufankjian sold out its initial print of 55,000 a month before its official December release, prompting powerHouse to print an additional 22,000 copies of the book. In 2010, powerHouse published the first-ever translation of the Take Ivy by Teruyoshi Hayashida. The book, originally released in Japan 1965, gained a cult following around the world. GQ Magazine has commented, "Take Ivy has achieved near-mythical status among aficionados of American mid-century menswear, with facsimiled copies passed among style spotters like holy relics between true believers." powerHouse Books has published the first authorized photographic record of John Wayne's life. powerHouse Books also recently published the work of photographer Vivian Maier. Completely unknown during her lifetime, Maier work for nearly forty years as a nanny in Chicago, Illinois. Her undeveloped work was discovered by local Chicago historian and collector, John Maloof, in 2007 and received widespread critical acclaim. Continuing their dedication to emerging voices, the publisher release Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen in 2012. First started as a blog, Advanced Style chronicles the vibrant street fashion of over New York's over-60 set.

Other prominent artists who have partnered with the firm include Ron Galella, Helen Levitt, Danny Lyon, Larry Fink, and the photographic cooperative Magnum Photos.

powerHouse Books is well-known for its custom publishing program and partnerships with major brands. In the past the company has collaborated with such companies as Calvin Klein, Urban Outfitters, Nike, Capitol Records, Getty Images, J. Crew, Saatchi and Saatchi, Pfizer, and the Gap among others.

Discussing his philosophy of books, founder Power has noted, "On a given project we seek to adhere to an artist’s vision as best as we possibly can, but with a method to make it accessible and as easily discovered as possible by the public…be it classical photography, monographic photography, photojournalism, street culture"

POW! Books
In 2013, powerHouse book launched the POW! Books imprint focusing on elegantly designed children's books.

powerHouse Arena
powerHouse Books is associated with two bookstores - powerHouse Arena and powerHouse on 8th. In addition to a carefully curated selection of books titles, both locations see themselves as much cultural hubs as simple bookstores and are noted for their popular events. Commenting on the continued success of the physical locations in the age of Amazon and e-books, Power has noted, "Bringing flesh and blood into the world of ideas is something even the most jaded reporters will celebrate with ink, photos and links. Author appearances are bona fide community events for local beat reporters; your local press and bloggers will be eager to calendar your next sale, your next initiative — valuable exposure and incalculable brand reinforcement."