Sean Gaffney

Irish history and folklore is rich with proverbs and sayings of old, full of timeless wisdom that still has resonance and truth today. This beautifully designed hardback brings together a whole host of these sayings and proverbs on topics as diverse as aging, the seasons, fate and nature. Learn to banter like the Irish with these wise, witty and wicked sayings. And remember ... ‘It’s a good story that fills the belly’

Seán Gaffney's interests in people, places and their art and music is evident in the four mini suites of this collection of poems.The Caucasus Suite explores that mountain range, its shifting borders and boundaries -- all seen through the photographs of a female Russian photographer half Gaffney's age with the mountains holding metaphors for the complex relationship between the two.Then comes Caravaggio with the spiritual resonances evoked by some of the religious themes he painted.This is followed by the world we live in and its and our challenges.Finally, the author considers the art and craft of his own writing. This is Seán Gaffney's fourth collection after Las Meninas, Family Matters and Aspects of Ageing.

Aspects of Ageing is Seán Gaffney's third suite of poems, now published in its second edition, in which he continues to explore his way of writing poetry and to express memories, reflections and direct responses to his immediate reality.In this suite we can follow Seán Gaffney summarising and re-evaluating his life, in the midst of daily encounters with intimate ailments and hospital experiences, as parts of everyday life as an ageing man.

Se n Gaffney looks back upon his life as a family member over generations, not by describing how things actually happened, but rather directing himself to each and one of his loved ones, living or dead; connecting and filling his poems with alive feelings of joy, sorrow, anger, confusion. Gaffney has a certain spirit of humour in his writing, although his memories indicate great suffering and grievance due to life circumstances. In this book you are introduced to Gaffney's inner relations, not just within his family but also somewhat wider, and his love and longing for connection and participation on a deeper level of life and over time.

Las Meninas talks back: Gaffney invites the reader to go with him inside this enigmatic and mysterious painting as his "Reflections" record the murmurs and whisperings of each of its protagonists. Here is seasoned gestalt therapist sitting with his clients who happen to be figures in a 16th century painting. This is a unique way of experiencing an artwork from inside out. With its stunning original cover and drawings that accompany each poem this edition in its finest sense is a picture book for adults. It might just beg a visit to Madrid to see Las Meninas for yourself. The book was created, designed and produced by Gestalt therapist and poet Se n Gaffney: The Nine Reflections Gestalt Practitioner and artist, Ir ne Gr nwall: The Cover Painting Gestalt therapist and artist, Perry Gunther: The Foreword Gestalt therapist and artist, Lars Berg: Graphic design, Layout, Drawings

Construction Matters examines the way that architects understand and respond to technological innovation through the creation of new types of spaces, and the materials through which an architectural idea finds its physical realization. Understanding the properties of different materials is indispensable for the creation of architecture that is original, powerful, and meaningful. Organized into chapters on the major methods of construction-masonry, concrete, steel, and wood-Construction Matters examines specific technologies that experienced major transformations in the last century, or were newly invented: a new material, jointing technique, or fabrication procedure for example. The architectural application of this invention is then analyzed with building case studies that are selected based on an obvious formal relationship between the building's form and the new type of construction that it incorporates--ranging from prewar designs in the United States and Europe to recent projects in Asia, and includes built projects as well as significant design proposals. Construction Matters develops a way of thinking about architecture in relation to technology that transcends a particular building method or design task. The architect and educator Georg Windeck conducted independent research that ranges from scientific advancements to philosophical contemplations. The multi-facetted discussion that emerges from this work is developed in close collaboration with artist and journalist Lisa Larson Walker, with mathematician and architect Will Shapiro, and with artist and architect Sean Gaffney. If we are to rescue the physical substance of architecture--the Matter of Construction--and create a practice that celebrates both the physical and the metaphysical aspects of building, we must understand how and why construction matters.

"The city of Bumblyburg’s in danger and LarryBoy’s the only one who can save the day. Everyone is weak with jealousy after the diabolical Napoleon of Crime and Other Bad Stuff—a.k.a. the Emperor of Envy— tainted the Slushee supply with his envy formula during Mister Slushee’s Slushee Slurping Contest. The Emperor has set the ultimate envy trap, and he and his “army” of henchmen are taking over the city of Bumblyburg. The whole town has slurped some of the Slushees, including LarryBoy. What will LarryBoy do? Will he conquer his own envy? If he doesn’t stop the evil emperor, Bumblyburg will be destroyed forever."