City Alphabet

The urban landscape is alive with words. You only have to look to find them — bold, brassy and obvious, or hidden, secret and mysterious. It's this intriguing aspect of the city that Matt Beam has captured in his photographs — words spray-painted on walls, etched in concrete, carved into wood, stuck onto glass. He and Joanne Schwartz have collaborated to create a visually arresting alphabet book that documents the random occurrences of language all around us. The result is an edgy catalogue of words from "art" to "zoo" that inspires us all to look more closely. This beautifully designed book is a treasure for those who love to explore and engage with the city in which they live.