• March 2, 2009
  • Posted by Marc

Books We Love: Talk Back: The Bubble Project by Ji Lee

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We’re pleased to let you know that the second book in our “Books We Love” series is Ji Lee’s Talk Back: The Bubble Project which came out from Mark Batty publisher in 2006.

Back in 2005, when we first saw Ji Lee’s white speech bubbles plastered on advertisements all over Manhattan, we thought that they were, from a graphic perspective, quite interesting. But what we didn’t know then, was that Ji was not only putting the bubbles up, but that he was returning to them days and weeks later to meticulously photograph the messages and drawings that people had filled in. Ji’s extensive documentation became the basis of the “Talk Back” book.

Ji’s project, which he calls “bubbling” is about reclaiming our public spaces, neutralizing the negative effect advertising has on our daily lives and “instantly transforming the corporate monologue into a true public dialogue.” Back in 2006 we did a short interview with Ji for Theme Magazine.

Ji explains the project:

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What we like about the book is that it’s at times funny; at times extremely provocative, and always incredibly insightful.  Over the years we’ve bought countless copies for our friends and relatives. We’re confident that you’ll love the book, but if you don’t, all you have to do is return it to us and we’ll refund your money.

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Talk Back: The Bubble Project
by Ji Lee
Price: $14.00
128 Pages
Size: 7 x 9 inches
Format: Paperback





If you are unfamiliar with our “Books We Love” series, here’s why we’re doing it:

Over the years, one of the things we love to do when we travel is to discover amazing self published books at stores like Magma in London or Zakka in New York. But unfortunately most of these types of small bookstores have either gone out of business or are now completely filled with mass market titles that you can easily find much cheaper on Amazon.

So this year, knowing that times are tough not just in the United States but in cities around the world, Sara and I are more committed than ever to use the Wooster site and the audience we have to showcase less expensive works that we (and the people who made them) are sincerely passionate about. Things that are truly special.

Each book was chosen not because a publisher approached us, but rather hand selected by Sara an I solely because we want other people to have the book in their collection and share our passion for the work.

Most of the books in this series will be small editions, often self published, and ones that we feel have not received the attention they deserve. We’re keeping the cost of the books as low as we can, always under $20.00 except for rare occasions, so that as many people as possible can buy them and include in their library.

Previous “Books We Love”:

Public Phenomena by Temporary Services