The SHARP List: Our 2024 Culture Gift Guide

Sharp Staff December 10, 2024

While it’s true that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, it’s also often in the expected ones, namely books, art, and music. Plus, sharing any form of media with friends and family is a sure way to spark good conversation. Here are a few culture gifts for the holidays that are guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing.

Another America by Phillip Toledano (L’Artiere Edizioni)

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The NYC-based photographer and conceptual artist better known as @misterenthusiast reimagines 20th-century American history with the help of AI in this mind-bending collection. The result, which includes hats made of birds, fur-covered cars, and giant jellyfish, makes present-day reality look only slightly less weird by comparison. ($124)

Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari (Penguin Random House Canada)

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New York Times bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari burst onto the mainstream with his culture phenomenon, Sapiens, a book that offers a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution. Now, he’s returned with Nexus, this time exploring the history of information networks, examining their impact on humanity and the challenges posed by AI. In a fascinating and timely study, Nexus offers much-needed existential hope for the new year while addressing the challenges of the future. ($45)

The Complete Miles in France — Miles Davis Quintet 1963/64: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8

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Miles in France is the eighth instalment in the celebrated Miles Davis Bootleg Series, with this edition focusing on the birth of the Second Great Quintet through 1963 and 1964. The music represents the sound of an end and a beginning coming through at once, making it an apt gift ahead of the New Year. For both music historians and those not yet familiar with Davis’s work, Miles in France delivers the perfect summation of his cultural resonance. ($120)

David Hockney: Paper Trails (Skira)

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This volume gathers renowned British painter David Hockey’s prints and other works on paper from his over six decades of output. His visual experiments, always surprising in their outcomes, suggest a rich interior and exterior life. Perfect for the art lover on your list, the book offers insights into the methods of one of the world’s most influential contemporary painters. ($95)

Shock Induction by Chuck Palahniuk (Simon & Schuster Canada)

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From the bestselling author of Fight Club comes a dark, satirical parable about a string of mysterious high school disappearances, the seedy underbellies of billionaires, and the tough choices we make in the face of an uncertain future. For those on your holiday list looking for a gripping story to carry them through the doldrums of winter, Palahniuk has once again produced perhaps the most enthralling fiction release of the year. ($35)

Issey Miyake (Taschen)

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This definitive history of the life and work of Issey Miyake offers unique insight into the designer’s singular and daring vision. Produced beautifully by Taschen and overseen by Midori Kitamura — the chairman of the Miyake Design Studio who worked alongside Miyake for over 45 years — is an encyclopedic reference to Miyake’s material and technical innovations from 1960 to 2022. For the fashion enthusiast in your life, this tribute makes for the perfect gift, filled with stunning photographs and a chronology of Miyake’s work. ($100 USD)

For further inspiration, here’s a look at last year’s selections…

In this age of endless memes and viral videos, it can be easy to forget that many of our most important cultural moments aren’t digital. Life still exists outside our phones and laptops, and frankly we’re happy to see a shift to more physical tangible items and experiences again. This year’s culture gift guide is jam-packed with analogue records and limited-edition photography — gifts offer a look at the highlights of arts and culture, from classic to contemporary.

Porsche Racing Moments by Rainer Schlegelmilch (Taschen)

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Filled with pulsing photography by Rainer W. Schlegelmilch, Porsche Racing Moments captures the sleek German cars in all their glory — adrenaline-fuelled zooms and all. Profiling mechanics and displaying packed crowds at the racetrack, Schlegelmilch’s photos make for a thrilling peek into history. ($1,000 USD)

Louis Vuitton Fashion Eye: Italian RIVIERAS by Slim Aarons

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Perfect for brightening up winter nights, this book is the latest in Louis Vuitton’s series dedicated to exploring how taste-making fashion photographers capture glamorous destinations. In his time, Slim Aarons was the world’s leading chronicler of the rich and fabulous, and captured the style and striking colours of bygone eras with his characterful-yet-candid images. From Portofino to the villages of the Cinque Terre, this volume immortalizes the decadence and sensuality of the 1970s and ’80s Italian Riviera. ($65)

Nirvana in Utero (30th Anniversary) 8 LP Super Deluxe Set

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Thirty years after Nirvana’s third and final album, the In Utero Super Deluxe set commemorates the band that defined 90s grunge. Live recordings from the mid-nineties take listeners back to the band’s gritty guitars and raw vocals with over fifty previously-unreleased bonus tracks. There’s even a hardcover book filled with photos and memorabilia. ($460)

Thom Browne (Signed Edition, Phaidon)

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The signed edition of Thom Browne is the ultimate gift for the fashion lover in your life. Credited with modernizing traditional suiting, Thom Browne’s career is jam-packed with notable moments. The 420-page book encompasses reviews, fashion illustrations, and even a Thom Browne grosgrain ribbon. ($200)

The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon (Aperture)

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Meet Outlaws MC: the oldest outlaw biker club in the world. Their full name, the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club, pays tribute to their origins in the industrial suburbs of Shytown. Per the Birmingham Mail, the group has grown to include chapters in twenty-three countries. Danny Lyon’s The Bikeriders, first published in 1968, is back in print to tell the tale. Transcribed interviews and time-capsule-worthy photographs fill the pages of Lyon’s work. A relic of the early New Journalism era (think Hunter S. Thompson and Joan Didion), the book is unflinchingly honest in its reporting. ($28)

For further inspiration, here’s a look at last year’s selections…

HAY Coffee Table Book by Phaidon

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Published in partnership with Phaidon, this volume celebrates HAY’s 20th anniversary, chronicling the brand’s impressive rise since 2002. Founded by husband and wife duo Rolf and Mette Hay, the brand has become renowned for its minimal, colourful and irreverent style, applied to everything from toothbrushes to sofas. In keeping with that tradition, this tome stands out on its own, as a beautiful accent for a living space, while also offering a thoughtful read for design aficionados. ($75)

Matty Matheson’s Home Style Cookery by Abrams

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Easily one of the most beloved celebrity chefs working today — and almost certainly the most beloved celebrity chef to emerge out of Canada in some time — Matty Matheson returns with a follow-up to his best-selling debut cookbook with Home Style Cookery, which, as its name suggests, is all about the highest-quality premium cooking that can be made simply and sensibly at home. ($40)

XL CD Rug by Curves by Sean Brown

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Keep the music going — even after the (perfectly curated) playlist ends with this extra large CD-shaped rug brought to you by Toronto-born multidisciplinary artist Sean Brown and his expansive line of contemporary goods called Curves. A gift that can be appreciated and admired by music lovers — and just about anyone with good taste. ($2,500)

Tweed Lemon Berry Buzz 510 Thread Cartridge

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There’s no denying that vaping has become more popular, and (thankfully) socially accepted, than ever before, making this the perfect year to consider the category for gifting.  At 85% TCH, the Lemon Berry Buzz is among the highest-potency TCH vapes produced by Tweed. Featuring light fruity notes — and made without artificial flavours — these 1g cartridges are infused with natural terpenes for a mild and pleasant experience. As the holiday party season continues to ramp up, bringing your host(s) a cartridge and vape to enjoy is a welcome change of pace from the oh-so-typical bottle of wine.

Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh, Assouline, at ssense.com

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The late Virgil Abloh had the distinction of being one of the most influential and innovative fashion designers of the last 20 years, and his work as director menswear at Louis Vuitton will be remembered as one of the best bodies of work of its era. This new volume celebrates his work with the couture brand and goes behind the scenes of his runway shoes and creative process. ($1550)

Ralph Lauren’s Polo Shirt by Rizzoli

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When is a shirt more than just a shirt? If you’re Ralph Lauren, it’s an iconic symbol — a simple, glorious clothing item that has achieved immortality through its ubiquitous presence in American pop cultural life for more than half a century. You’ll never see the classic polo the same way after reading this. ($50)

Moccamaster KBGV Select

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What is coffee if not culture? Whether brewed at home or enjoyed in a social setting, its a core element of social interaction in many corners of the globe. Not only is the Moccamaster widely considered the best drip machine that money can buy, its industrial-chic aesthetic — which dates back to the late 1960s and nods to the Netherland’s long history of industrial — makes it a worthy addition to your countertop. ($460)

Humans, by Brandon Stanton, at Indigo

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Brandon Stanton’s blog Humans of New York was a longtime social media phenomenon, capturing the lives of ordinary Americans in all their poetic mundane glory. His latest follow-up, Humans, returns to that well of day-to-day magic, instilling a sense of connection with your fellow man that will your faith in humanity. ($45)

Square Turntable by La Boite Concept

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Spotify or Apple Music? If you still can’t decide which streaming service to subscribe to, go old school and opt for vinyl instead. The sleek and minimal design of this Square Turntable is the perfect addition to any living room and its vibration-free sound will literally be music to your ears. ($850 USD)

Tweed Quickies Kush Mints

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Bring good vibes as you make your rounds across the holiday party circuit this season. Made for ease of use and convenience, Tweed Quickies are pre-rolls, meaning cannabis joints rolled in advance for you — perfect for party goers who want to enjoy the experience of lighting up without having to deal with the hassle of preparing a joint from scratch. These Quickies use Kush Mints, a hybrid strain of cannabis derived from Animal Mints and Bubba Kush strains, which is beloved for its striking minty taste and scent. Tweed Quickies include 10 pre-rolls with 0.35g of THC and are conveniently packaged in a sealed recyclable case.

Punta del Este, by Assouline

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Part travel guide, part photo album, and part fantasy wish-fulfillment vision board, this book on the Punta del Este by writer and curator Bony Bullrich is one to get lost in. Capturing the sumptuous, world-class Uraguay beach resort in all its South American glory, it’ll sit proudly on any coffee table and invite visitors to imagine an unbeatable day on the beach. ($95)

Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats by Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan

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Explore some of the most stunning and sumptuous remote getaways and cabins in the woods around the world, from seaside retreats to rustic cottages on hilltops, from the forests of Norway to the lakes of Canada, and far beyond. This book by Scottish interior designers and TV hosts Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan will have you desperate to flee the big city as fast as possible. $42

The Impossible Collection of Watches by Assouline

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A brand-new update to the original 2014 edition that earned such praise, The Impossible Collection of Watches is a comprehensive look back across the history of timepieces through some of the rarest, most expensive, and most innovative watches ever made. Author and historian Nicholas Foulkes evokes the true beauty and power of the greatest timepieces with this compelling book. ($995)