Enzo Mari (1932–2020)

The "Swing" can be either a book, a game, or an entertaining strip to hang up. The concertina-fold pages are full of black and brown stylised animals that chase one another, overlap, leap with their “heavy bodies” onto the ends of the simplest of swings trying to keep their balance. A brightly coloured red and green cover envelops cumbersome elephants, sinuous snakes, and statuesque kangaroos. The book does not have words and speaks conceptually to children of quantity, shapes, weight, show more and balance. The first ideas for this book (the limited edition) date from 1961. show less

Not a book per se (although it has an ISBN and is booklike in form), this publication consists of a set of exquisitely illustrated slotted cards that can be linked to form a narrative invented by the "reader". A beautifully produced and intriguing game.

"uno dei più straordinari libri italiani degli ultimi anni", Italo Calvino