New Books Network Sven Völker, "The Museum of Shapes" (Cicada Books, 2025)
Oct 8, 2025
Sven Völker, an accomplished author, illustrator, and professor, discusses his enchanting book, The Museum of Shapes. He explores the creative process behind naming the central character, Alma, drawing inspiration from Bauhaus design. Völker highlights how simple shapes evolve into complex forms, emphasizing the beauty of geometry. He shares insights into his teaching methods for picture book creation, the importance of iteration, and the balance between art and form. The conversation also touches on gender dynamics in the industry and his upcoming projects.
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Books As Museum Visits
- Sven describes Museum of Shapes as a museum visit that starts with a dot and follows Alma and the dog Max through exhibits.
- The book became an exhibition tie-in for the Ingolstadt museum and charts shapes growing more complex.
Shapes Combine Into Real-World Forms
- Völker emphasizes that simple geometric forms combine in reality and in our minds to create complex shapes.
- He notes perfect geometric shapes rarely exist in the real world and context shapes perception.
Alma’s Bauhaus Namesake
- Alma is named after Bauhaus student Alma Ziethoff-Buscher, who designed wooden toys and stopped her career after being told to be a mother.
- Sven highlights her tragic early death and her importance among Bauhaus women.
