2001 International Metal Design Annual (Metall Design International 2001) by Peter Elgass

This is the 2001 edition of Peter Elgass's excellent, useful, and praiseworthy annual project of photographically documenting the work of several different master blacksmiths from around the world. Each annual has a brief biography of the smiths and a large number of beautiful photographs of their work. Each annual, in fact, contains hundreds of high-quality photos.
The 2001 edition showcases the work of the following master smiths: Karl Schlecht (Germany), Gabriele Curtolo (Italy), Harmann Gradinger (Germany), Antony Robinson (UK), Achim Kuhn (Germany), Serge Marchal (France), Andreas Rimkus (Germany), Karel Bures (Czech Republic).
Following is an excerpt from the preface of the 2001 edition: "At first glance metal is not 'friendly' to human needs., it is not 'appealing'. If it is tobe friendly and appealing to us a metal designer is required to open the doors as a mediator - someone who makes metal to be experienced and touchable for man. The artists in this book impart the experience of life. The reader who lets the works in this book sink in will soon notice the gap which exists between 'metal in the form of mass products' and the 'joy of individual metal design'. It is not important whether a railing or forged sculpture is concerned. The expressiveness of the design is important."
The International Metal Design Annuals from 1999 through the curent year are available from Artisan either individually or as a specially priced set.