PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In Concrete: Urban Graphics 2004–2010, is a 212-page book documenting the public art of Puerto Rican artist Rafael Trelles. Working internationally, Trelles utilizes the experimental "reverse graffiti" technique, selectively power-washing dirt and grime from urban surfaces to create temporary interventions. Featuring diverse voices and an art history essay by Andrew Wasserman, the publication serves as a permanent archive for this ephemeral medium.

Because reverse graffiti is inherently temporary, the book functions as the primary vehicle for preserving these interventions. The content is structured geographically, tracing the project's evolution across six distinct locations: San Juan, Vieques, and Ponce in Puerto Rico, as well as Buenos Aires, La Habana, and Oporto & Alijó.

The physical properties of the book are a direct response to the artist's urban canvas. The sewn hardcover is wrapped in Fedrigoni Materica Clay, a stock selected for its textural and tonal similarities to a concrete wall. The cover features an artwork from Trelles’s Vieques interventions, paired with the book's title hot-stamped in black matte foil.

Inside, the publication is printed on Munken Polar Rough to maintain a tactile quality while ensuring high image fidelity. The layout is organized around a rigorous grid designed to handle the dense archival material. Across all six geographic chapters, the left column is consistently reserved for figure images and marginalia, establishing a clear, functional rhythm throughout the book.

BOOK INFORMATION

Trim Size: 9.25 x 11in

Number of Pages: 212

Binding Method: Smyth-sewn (Hardcover Sewn)

Paper: Cover: Fedrigoni, Materica, Clay, 120gsm; Interior: Artic Paper, Munken Polar Rough 150gsm; Endpapers: Fedrigoni, Materica, Pitch, 120gsm

Typefaces: Neue Haas Unica

CREDIT INFORMATION

Creative Director:

Art Director:

Book Designer: Luis A. Vázquez O'Neill

Jacket/Cover Designer:

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Production Artist:

Other Credits: Laura Galbán - Editor; Kara Pickman - Copy Editor; Vanessa Droz - Copy Editor; Andrew Hurley - Translation

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