Mario Novak creates a fine art book about Croatia's state of mind

I have been traveling for 20 years, and some journey it has been!  From Asia to the Americas, throughout Europe, the Caribbean & I have met many wonderful people, who inevitably would ask, “Where are you from?”  And whenever I responded, “Croatia,” it was simply difficult for them to place.  Inquisitive minds would persist, “Where is it?  How does it look?  What kinds of people live there?”  I had no images to show them, no book to suggest.  For 20 years it was my heart’s desire to create something beautiful that, instead of words, I could just place in their hands and proudly say, “I am from here.  Please, take a look!”

“Croatia“ is not a collection of images, it is the experience of Croatia in one long breath, one uninterrupted journey, from Ilok to Savudrijia to Dubrovnik: breathing, living, meeting the people of Croatia, seeing the land through their eyes, their soul.  The journey was, for me, a pilgrimage through the country of my roots, the country that was, and always will be my home.  I believe that there are many Croatians throughout the world who feel the same.  They will find themselves here, in the pages of this book, where it is possible, even from afar, to immerse oneself in the extraordinary land of our origins.   A traveler, as well, will enjoy this journey, will revisit many cherished places – and even discover Croatia anew.

I have many beliefs, and I will mention but two that are core beliefs, for they can be experienced in Croatia.  Firstly, I believe that artistic creation, Art, is a reflection of the artist’s state of mind.  Second, and even more important, I believe that each one of us has the creative capacity to leave a trace, something that will remain, for our children, and for their children, to show them something of our existence, something that may bring inspiration and beauty to their lives.  A legacy of beauty, that one hopes will remain.

Croatia is my journey, my state of mind, and I encourage others to make their own journey, to leave a trace, tell a story, as I have finally told mine.
Mario Novak

Mario Novak was born in Ludbreg, Croatia, and emigrated to the United States in 1986.  His interest in photography began in childhood when his father lent him his first camera, an  Altix with Zeiss lenses. A continuing devotion to martial arts and a deep love of nature is evidenced in both the meditative stillness and the dynamism of his images. Early in his exploration of photography he was mentored through postal correspondence by an experienced, but anonymous photographer who lived in nearby (former) Czechoslovakia. In his native Croatia he helped to establish the first photo club at the Electrical Engineering (ETF) University in Zagreb.  As a mature artist with a profound belief in apprenticeship, he carries on the mentorship tradition through regular community with aspiring photographers throughout the world.

An exquisite sense of light and composition is a reflection of his lifelong interest in fine art painting. This inspiration has developed into a mastery of fine art printing, and Novak is equally well-known for his fine art prints, often reproducing the work of modern painters and photographers for gallery and for permanent exhibition.

An avid surfer, he lives in Atlantic Beach, New York.

“Croatia”, is 340 pages, full color, 11″x14″ and cloth bound by hand,
with superb printing in Italy by ArtGrafiche Amilcare Pizzi. Each book comes in an individual box.

The poetic, in-depth, and informative text is by Damir Konestra. The first edition is available in Croatian and in English language. We offer a special price for the purchase of a set in both languages. If you would like to purchase a quantity of books as a company Christmas present, please place your order early. Quantity discounts will apply.Quantities are limited, so please order your copy in time for Christmas.

Contact: [email protected] | 718 278-8842 | www.artcroatia.com
ArtCroatia, P.O.Box 269, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509, USA

Here are some tech details about book
 
trim size: 11″x14″ ( 28×35.5 cm)
weight:  7.5 lbs ( 3.4 kg)
number of pages: 340
paper Satin-Matt Garmont 150 gms
cover: linen cloth with gold foil stamp
jacket: matt laminated with glossy spot varnish of title
binding: smith sewn
each book comes in individual box
Museum quality, printed in Milano by Arti Grafiche Amilcare Pizzi, printer of books by: Ansel Adams, Richard Avadon, Diane Arbus, Annie Liebowitz,. Robert Mapplethorpe, Ralph Lauren and others.

Book Presentations in the USA

Nov 20th, 6 pm
Callumet Photo, HP Gallery
22 W 22nd Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY
Callumet Press release: http://www.calumetphoto.com/event/368 Mario Novak Exhibit
Our HP Gallery at Calumet Photo New York is proud to present the stunning images of Mario Novak during our special book-signing event. Novak’s presence as a photographer in New York has been noted by some of the most reputable names in the Real Estate industry. Sotheby’s, LeFrak Group, Tishman, and William B. May are just a few of the names that are familiar. With his more than 25 years of experience, Mario takes on a more active role than just that of a biographical artist when he moves into the world of architectural film. Aerial and high-end real estate photography are some of the most precision-oriented skills which Mario has come to perfect as a photographic artist. This very clean, precision-oriented style, and an understanding of film, light and composition, as well as the object being filmed, remains a deep influence in his current works of landscapes, people and art. This influence, and a genuine passion for photography, enables

Mario to bring out the soul and balance of the object being photographed, allowing his pictures to tell the story. Novak will be signing his new book, Croatia, featuring landscapes from his homeland of Croatia.

Book presentations in Croatia
ZAGREB 9.11.2007. – 12.00 h
Nacionalna i sveučilišna knjižnica u Zagrebu, Ulica Hrvatske bratske zajednice 4, 10000 Zagreb
TRAKOŠĆAN 10.11.2007. – 15.00 h
Dvor Trakošćan, 42254 Trakošćan
RIJEKA 12.11.2007. – 18.00 h
Muzej grada Rijeke, Muzejski trg 1/1, 51000 Rijeka
PULA  13.11.2007. – 18.00 h
Dom hrvatskih branitelja, Leharova ulica 1, 52000 Pula
OSIJEK 14.11.2007. – 18.00 h
Hotel “Osijek”, Šamačka 4, 31000 Osijek
OMIŠ 16.11.2007. – 19.00 h
Narodna knjižnica u Omišu, Punta 1, 21310 Omiš
Interliber 2007
Nov 7th – 11th 2007
Please visit us at Interliber, Zagrebacki Velesajam, from Nov 7th – Nov 11th, Paviljon 6/4b
Besides our book we will be presenting “Fine Art Prints” from our extensive library of images, and some of our newest works such as 5 m wide. panoramas of New York and other places. We will also present panoramas of Croatia photographed by Mario Romulic

Book is already very rewarding. Besides strong sales, book got attention of many other countries that have requested me to make a book of such a high quality for them. Those countries didn’t hesitate one bit when they saw my work. I already did 4 weeks of shooting in Turkey, where I have 3-book deal,. I did few weeks of shooting in Puerto Rico and I have requests to do additional 7-8 countries, multiple book deals in each,..some of them are: Israel, Morocco,. Brazil, Dubai, Kenya, Bahamas and more,.
I would like to make 3-4 more books on Croatia of same quality, if I’m supported by Croatian community or Croatian Ministries. I would like to make books on: Churches, Cathedrals and Monasteries of Croatia, Adriatic and Croatia from the Air.
This book “Croatia” is simultaneously published in Croatian and English language (each is separate book) and by end of the year I will have book ready in Italian and German languages. English is perfectly translated and copy edited by US editors, linguists and writers.
First printing run is 10,000 copies. It took me exactly 12 months from the moment I did first shot, to the moment book was in my hands, finished, bound and ready in both languages.
Each book presentation will be accompanied by exhibit of Fine Art Prints, images from the book, Fine Art Prints will be available for sale.
Thank you,
sincerely,
Mario
[email protected]
www.marionovak.com

Op-ed:

To order a book go to www.artcroatia.com or/and come on Nov 20th, at 6 pm Callumet Photo, HP Gallery 22 W 22nd Street, 2nd floor New York, NY and meet the artist. Check the schedule in other cities.
Support art by buying art. I highly recommend this book, textually and visually.
Nenad Bach
More photos from the book Croatia: Mario Novak – CROATIA – Everything is said and than so much untold