Andy Warhol

Pop art superstar Andy Warhol (1928-1987) needs no introduction in the western world. Yet, until recently, he was still a relatively unknown figure among the general public in Korea. Over the past few years, several exhibitions presenting his works and life were held in Korea, including a major exhibition, "Andy Warhol, The Greatest," in the Seoul Museum of Art in early 2010.

In response, several Korean houses published a variety of books about Warhol, but Mimesis was the only one to publish books by the artist. Mimesis published Warhol's 1975 essay The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again in 2007. Then in 2009, Mimesis released the 942-page, fully illustrated Korean edition of the Andy Warhol Diaries (originally edited by Pat Hackett). It was unanimously acclaimed by the critics and won the 50th Korean Publishing Culture Award for Best Editing.

Mimesis will also publish the graphic novel Andy by Typex in 2020.

 
 
Edward Gorey
In 2006 and 2007, Mimesis endeavored to introduce its readers to the unmistakably gothic and hilariously macabre universe of the prolific, self-taught, cult artist Edward Gorey (1925-2000) through a series of 8 small books by the illustrator and writer.

Mimesis' Gorey collection features 7 jewels of literary nonsense from Gorey's classic 1972 collection Amphigorey, namely The Listing Attic, The Object-Lesson, The Fatal Lozenge, The Hapless Child, The Curious Sofa, The Willowdale Handcar and The Remembered Visit. The eighth story, The Deranged Cousins, is from the 1975 sequel collection Amphigorey Too.
 
 
Jean-Marc Reiser
Although Jean-Marc Reiser (1941-1983) is celebrated and revered as one of the major 20th Century artists in the French bande dessinée, there are at first sight much more loveable, attractive, and definitely more exportable French products than his dirty, testicle-flashing, misogynistic character Gros Dégueulasse. Yet, Open Books made its first attempt to introduce Reiser's sheer genius to the bravest among its readers in 1999. Mimesis persevered in its effort by publishing a two-volume, 550-page Reiser Collection for the willing fans in 2007.

The first volume, Reiser 1, features the 1971 work Mon papa (published by Open Books in 2000) and the posthumous works, Tam-Tam and Les oreilles rouges (both published by Open Books in 1999). The second volume, Reiser 2, collects the cartoons and illustrations from the cult classics Ils sont moches, Vive les femmes!, Gros Dégueulasse. and On vit une époque formidable!

Reiser's works may seem in many aspects antithetical to those of Sempé, but both masters have observed human nature deeply and revealed it with equal strength through their own art, style and humor.
 
 
Karim Rashid
Prolific, award-winning industrial designer Karim Rashid is famous for the curvy shapes and bright colors of his creations. His approach to design reflects his particularly cheerful and playful life philosophy.

Mimesis published Rashid's 2001 monograph I Want to Change the World in 2005, showcasing a broad range of objects in full bloom. His guide for better living, Design Your Self: Rethinking the Way You Live, Love, Work and Play, was also published by Mimesis, in 2009, and a new edition of the same title in 2015.