New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes

by Elisa Parhad, Lynne Arany (Editor)

Visually focused, packed with cultural insight, and sized for portability, Guides for the Eyes celebrate the local traditions and visual vernacular that surrounds us. Operating at the intersection of art and anthropology, each edition in the series explores place through 100 of the most notable features of a region. Vivid photography and informative text provide insight into the significance of each topic, covering regional architecture, design, flora, fauna, food, crafts, folklore, landscape, and other facets of local identity and style. Ranging from the obvious to the obscure, these distinguishing elements define a locale as somewhere as opposed to anywhere. As one of the most unique and colorful regions of North America, New Mexico is the first subject of the series. Throughout thousands of years, the state s striking landscape has inspired the art, design and traditions of its three dominant Native American, Hispanic and Anglo/Western. These distinct groups continue to blend and evolve, infusing the rustic land with a compelling vibrancy, unrivaled in its beauty.

Genres: Travel

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

A cultural anthropologist at heart and by trade, Elisa Parhad is passionate about exploring place, space, design, and culture. After completing Bachelors degrees in Cultural Anthropology and International Business at the University of Texas at Austin, she spent nearly a decade studying American subcultures and communities to inform marketing messaging and advertising campaigns. She has called Seattle, Albuquerque, Austin, and Los Angeles home, and currently lives in Pasadena, California with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am an old woman and can no longer travel, I hope that I can look at this book to bring back the feeling of the endless blue sky in the land of enchantment. Looking at the photographs from Seattle, I can almost smell the pinon wood smoke and hear the cicadas in the trees.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Visually stunning, surprising, informative and a wonderful way to explore sideroads, small towns and culture one usually misses without a local guide or friend to show you the way. Elisa Parhad is that guide!

Guide for the Eyes is guaranteed to make you want to get to New Mexico as soon as possible to explore the depth of culture, natural beauty and of course the food.

I can't wait to read her next book...think its coming out now...Southern California!!!!

[Zora O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genius format for a travel guide! I wish I'd thought of this. Answers those nagging "I keep seeing [X:]--what is it?" questions, with entries on all kinds of architectural details, street life, food, American Indian symbols, etc.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for traveling through New Mexico if you don't know
where to go what you want to see, book contains ideas and places
for all the regions.

[David Goodberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos, great topics - interesting all around.

[Marian Robinson]

Beautiful photographs highlight this adult picture book featuring familiar and not-so-familiar terms in New Mexican culture. A lovely reminder of some of our favorite memories of visiting there -- with a few new places highlighted to explore in future trips.