Published to celebrate the centenary of Joseph Cornell's birth in 1903, this text provides a fresh, multi-dimensional perspective on this pioneering modern artist. Illustrated with over 75 boxes and collages, as well as images of the fascinating source material that the artist collected to create his exquisitely crafted worlds, the book communicates to the reader the sense of surprise and delight that one experiences upon viewing the actual boxes with their toys, stuffed birds, maps and other paraphernalia of daily life.

The book's essays explore topics such as the role of dualities in the artist's process, the major themes of Cornell's oeuvre, and the importance of the artist's Christian Science faith. The companion DVD-ROM delivers an encyclopaedic compendium of the artist's works and source materials, the insights of numerous scholars and critics, access to Cornell's experimental films, and interactive opportunities that promote investigate of his art.