Summer Dissertation Support Sessions

Want to get a head start on your dissertation? Come along to our Summer Dissertation Support Sessions!

The Library and Study Zone are joining forces to put on sessions to teach you how to find resources, read and take take notes, reference and use theory!

Summer support sessions for Dissertation!

Are you second year student? Have you been given your dissertation assignment brief? Not sure where to start?

Don't worry!

The Study Zone and Library are running dissertation support sessions this summer, in July and August, to help you feel prepared to do your dissertation research project.

A History of Screen Printing.

We have received a lovely donation of 'A History of Screen Printing' by Guido Lengwiler .

This is a comprehensive guide to the history of screen printing, and has some wonderful examples of screen printed work, from advertising and mass production, to recreation of art works.

You can find it at 764 LEN

Illustration books for April!

A river  /  by Marc Martin.  (2016)

741.642092 MAR

There is a river outside my window. Where will it take me? So begins an imaginary journey from the city to the sea. From factories to farmlands, freeways to forest, each new landscape is explored through stunning illustrations and poetic text from this award-winning picture-book creator.






Reportage illustration : visual journalism  /  Gary Embury and Mario Minichiello.  (2018)

741.6 EMB The power of reportage drawing is in the immediacy of the images that are created and the feeling of the illustrator's presence on location. Comparable in some ways to photojournalism, reportage illustrators are acting as visual journalists, proactively creating narrative work about issues and subjects, translating what they witness into handmade imagery.

Beautiful Book Covers!

The illustrated dust jacket 1920-1970  

Martin Salisbury.  (2017)

741.640904 SAL

The middle decades of the twentieth century saw an extraordinary flourishing of the illustrated, pictorial dust jacket. From the 1920s, as the potential for the book’s protective wrapping to be used for promotion and enticement became clear, artists and illustrators on both sides of the Atlantic applied their talents to this particular art form. Rising to the wide-ranging challenges posed by format and subject matter, leading artists and illustrators, including John Piper, Edward Bawden and John Minton in the UK and Ben Shahn, Edward Gorey and George Salter in the USA, brought their unique personal vision to bear on the world of books. Many of their designs reflect the changing visual styles and motifs of the period, including Bloomsbury, Art Deco, Modernism, postwar neo-romanticism and the Kitchen Sink School. 

Martin Salisbury has selected over fifty of the artists and illustrators who were active in the period 1920–1970 in the UK and USA, as well as others such as Tove Jansson and Celestino Piatti, and discusses their life and work. A selection of dust jackets – both known and too long forgotten – for each artist reveals how far the book as an artefact had travelled from the days of the plain wrapper in the nineteenth century.

Book of the Week.

This week, our book of the week comes from Illustration alumni Isaac Lenkiewicz.

A Castle in England, 741.5941 RHO

A collaboration between writer Jamie Rhodes and the National Trust, this unique graphic novel plunges us into the rich and often dark history of Scotney Castle in Kent.

Recreating the castle’s past from the Medieval to the Edwardian ages, five rising stars from the UK comics scene (Isaac Lenkiewicz, Briony May Smith, William Exley, Becky Palmer and Isabel Greenberg) have illustrated five short stories that mix fiction with fact, creating a visually striking graphic collection that is steeped in historical context.

See this on our new books stand today! #plymouthcollegeofartlibrary

New books for Game Arts

Game character development  /  Antony Ward.  (c2008)

794.8 WAR

"Game Character Development" takes you through all the steps needed to create compelling, highly-detailed characters for games. This book is suitable for both beginner game artists and experienced designers who want to brush up their skills, and covers the latest character creation tools and technologies. Throughout this book you will work step-by-step to create a finished character that incorporates all of the methods presented. First you’ll examine the available modeling techniques and then create a base mesh. You’ll then incorporate UV mapping and virtual sculpting. With the basic model created, you’ll explore advanced techniques to add texture and detail, and finish up by optimizing and refining your character. The techniques presented can be applied with virtually any 3D software program, so you’re free to work within the application with which you’re most familiar. If a specific tool is introduced, a brief introduction will cover the basic information you need to utilize it. There’s even a chapter with suggestions on what you’ll need to add to your finished character before it gets introduced into the game production pipeline, including adding facial expression, rigging, and even animation. And a helpful reference section provides additional resources to help you with those next steps.

A practical guide to indie game marketing  /  Joel Dreskin.  (2016)

794.8146 DRE

For those who want to earn a regular income from making indie games, marketing can be nearly as vital to the success of the game as the game itself. A Practical Guide to Indie Game Marketing provides you with the tools needed to build visibility and sell your game. With special focus on developers with small budgets and limited staff and resources, this book is packed with recommendations and techniques that you can put to use immediately. As a seasoned marketing professional, author Joel Dreskin provides insight into practical, real-world experiences from marketing numerous successful games and also shares tips on mistakes to avoid. Presented in an easy to read format, A Practical Guide to Indie Game Marketing includes information on establishing an audience and increasing visibility so you can build successes with your studio and games.

How 2 become a Game Designer  /  Brown, Joshua  (2014)

794.8 BRO

How to become a Game Designer. The Ultimate guide for joining the video games industry and getting the exact Game Developer job you want. This comprehensive guide includes: Insider Information - the ins and outs of the game industry Job Roles - the types of jobs within the game industry and how to get them; How to Apply for game developer Jobs - using a step-by-step process; Application Process - Expert Cvs, Cover Letters and Interview Techniques; Interview Skills Guide - How to Pass Game Developer Interviews with actual sample questions and responses; Cvs / Resumes - Learn how to tailor your Cv with multiple templates and real successful examples; Portfolio - How to build a stunning professional portfolio; Education and Educational Institutions Networking - How to network effectively and gain invaluable contacts; Full of Insider Top Tips - perfect for aspiring game artists, game programmers, game writers, audio artists, games designers, game testers and those wanting to get ahead of other potential game developer candidates! The video game industry is an exciting and expanding modern industry that is attracting many creative people from all over the world. Due to the increasing competition for job roles it can be a difficult process. This book contains insider tips and advice on what you need to know to get your dream job working inside the video games industry. This book also includes information on becoming a freelance artist and setting up your own independent games company, including the legal considerations. Break into the video game industry today with this comprehensive insider's guide!

Spooky New Titles.

The library has taken stock of several spooky new titles and put on a ghoulish display to celebrate Halloween! We have also acquired some new books on witchcraft and magic.

The art of horror : an illustrated history  /  edited by Stephen Jones ; foreword by Neil Gaiman.  (2015)

741.674 JON

Amazingly, there has never been a book quite like The Art of Horror- a celebration of frightful images, compiled and presented by some of the genre's most respected names. While acknowledging the beginnings of horror-related art in legends and folk tales, the focus of the book is on how the genre has presented itself to the world since the creations of Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley first became part of the public consciousness in the 19th century. It's all here: from early engravings-via dust jackets, book illustrations, pulp magazines, movie posters, comic books, and paintings-to today's artists working entirely in the digital realm. Editor Stephen Jones and his stellar team of contributors have sourced visuals from archives and private collections (including their own) worldwide, ensuring an unprecedented selection that is accessible to those discovering the genre, while also including many images that will be rare and unfamiliar to even the most committed fan. From the shockingly lurid to the hauntingly beautiful-including images of vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, demons, serial killers, alien invaders, and more-every aspect of the genre is represented in ten themed chapters. Quotes from artists/illustrators, and a selection from writers and filmmakers, are featured throughout.

The Krampus and the old, dark Christmas : roots and rebirth of the folkloric devil  by  Al Ridenour.  (2016)

398.4 RID

With the appearance of the demonic Christmas character Krampus in contemporary Hollywood movies, television shows, advertisements, and greeting cards, medieval folklore has now been revisited in American culture. Krampus-related events and parades occur both in North America and Europe, and they are an ever-growing phenomenon.

Though the Krampus figure has once again become iconic, not much can be found about its history and meaning, thus calling for a book like Al Ridenour's The Krampus: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil. With Krampus's wild, graphic history, Feral House has hired the awarded designer Sean Tejaratchi to take on Ridenour's book about this ever-so-curious figure.

Al Ridenour has lectured on Krampus at the Goethe Institutes in Los Angeles. He became somewhat of an internet phenomenon himself due to the hilarious hijinks he coordinated with the controversial Cacophony Societies.

The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic  by  Christopher Dell.  (2016)

133.409 DEL

From the earliest Paleolithic cave rituals, magic has gripped the imagination. Magic and magicians appear in early Babylonian texts, the Bible, Judaism and Islam. Secret words, spells and incantations lie at the heart of every mythological tradition. Today, magic means many things: contemporary Wicca is practised widely as a modern pagan religion in Europe and the US; ‘magic’ also evokes the cathartic rituals of Chaos magic, but stretches to include the non-spiritual, rapid-fire sleight of hand performed by slick stage magicians who fill vast arenas. 
The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic is packed with authoritative text and a huge and inspired selection of images, chosen from unusual and hidden sources. The material is presented in 100 entries, and includes some of the best-known representations of magic and the occult from around the world.

The Little Book of Witchcraft  by  Astrid Carvel.  (2017)

133.43 CAR

Are you in need of a little magic to entice love into your life?

Maybe someone you know could benefit from a good-luck spell?

Or perhaps you want to feel more in control of your destiny?

The Little Book of Witchcraft uncovers the mysteries of this ancient art and shows you how to tap into the positive natural energies of the cosmos to release your inner power. Learn about different kinds of witchcraft and its fascinating history, its symbolism and the building blocks of Wicca, and how to perform simple spells to attract good energy, luck, love, health and happiness.

New Animated Films!

The Library has purchased several animated films, whether you are looking for inspiration on storytelling and narrative, or just something to keep you occupied now the evenings are darker.



Finding Dory (2016)
791.4334 FIN

From the Academy Award–winning creators of Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo (Best Animated Feature, 2003) comes an epic undersea adventure filled with imagination, humour and heart. When Dory, the forgetful blue tang, suddenly remembers she has a family who may be looking for her, she, Marlin and Nemo take off on a life-changing quest to find them with help from Hank, a cantankerous octopus; Bailey, a beluga whale who’s convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark. Bring home the movie overflowing with unforgettable character and dazzling animation.



The Red Turtle (2017)
791.4334



From acclaimed director Michaël Dudok de Wit, and produced by the legendary Academy Award-winning animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away), comes a magical castaway story that combines beauty, nature and mystery. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated feature, The Red Turtle is a stunning and touching animation about the transience of life.




Zootropolis (2016)
791.4334 ZOO




Zootropolis is a city like no other. But when optimistic Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being a bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking fox, Nick Wilde. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 'Zootropolis,' is a comedy-adventure directed by Tangled’s Byron Howard and Wreck-It Ralph’s Rich Moore.






Kubo and the Two Strings
791.4334 KUB



Young Kubo's peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.



Come in to the library and take these away today!

Typography Titles.

How to Draw Type and Influence People : An Activity Book  /  Sarah Hyndman. (2017)

686.224 HYN




We are all type consumers and interact with type in our everyday lives. Typefaces in all shapes and sizes evoke an emotional response and trigger associated memories before we've even read the words. How to Draw Type and Influence People shows how we use type to understand different messages. Each typeface is introduced and explained and then creative exercises show the reader how to draw each font and invite them to explore the associations evoked by the styles, to reveal why they have come about and how to create their own versions. Ideal for all those who work with type daily, this book provides an accessible way in to the world of typefaces, for the general reader, but also graphic designers who want to explore fonts in more detail and design their own letterforms.



The visual history of type  /  Paul McNeil.  (2017)

686.22 MCN



'The Visual History of Type' is a comprehensive, detailed survey of the major typefaces produced since the advent of printing with movable type in the mid-fifteenth century to the present day. Arranged chronologically to provide context, more than 320 typefaces are displayed in the form of their original type specimens or earliest printing. Each entry is supported by a brief history and description of key characteristics of the typeface. This book will be the definitive publication in its

New Illustration Titles!

Graphic novels: everything you need to know / Paul Gravett.

741.5 GRA

Featuring striking graphics and explanatory extracts from a wide range of graphic novels, the book examines the specific language of the comics medium; the history and pioneers of the form; recent masterpieces from Art Spiegelman's Maus to Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan; the impact of Japanese manga and European albums translated into English; how artists have overcome prejudices towards the genre; and the ambitious range of themes and issues artists are addressing, including childhood, war and survival, politics, the future, sexuality, and the supernatural.

Colour / Marion Deuchars.

701.85 DEU

What makes a colour work? What do colours mean to artists or cultures? Why does grey make a colour stand out? What colour are the oceans? Why is the yellow of lemons something to treasure?

Award-winning illustrator Marion Deuchars takes us on a journey through colour, showing how its language is at the centre of how we think and feel about the world. Colour is everywhere. Through this book, we can see it afresh. With beautiful hand rendered type!

Marketing illustration : new venues, new styles, new methods  /  Steven Heller & Marshall Arisman.  

741.60688 HEL

The market for illustration is changing. How can illustrators survive and thrive?  Illustration students, educators, and working artists will find illuminating commentary on editorial, graphic novels, comics, animations, Web, games, toys, fashion, textiles, and more, along with an exploration of how old platforms have changed and new ones emerged. Fifty working illustrators, including such top names as Christoph Niemann, Alex Murawski, Jashar Awan, Yuko Shimuzo, and Tomer Hanuka, share insights on what works now. Published in association with the School of Visual Arts, Marketing Illustration explores the impact of technology and the future of the illustration market. No illustrator can afford to miss this thought-provoking resource.

A little taste of new Illustration Books to whet your appetite

Death of the artist

741.5 FRA

On 13 August 2013 graphic novelist Karrie Fransman invited four old friends from university to an isolated cottage on the misty moors of the Peak District to join her for a week of hedonism and creativity. Like Shelley and Byron before them, they would use the retreat to tell stories. Except these would be comics, collected together in this very book. The theme? The Death of the Artist. None of the five friends realised how appropriate this theme would become. The book weaves a single narrative across watercolour, digital art, photography, collage and illustration, exploring the themes of creation, destruction, and how we kill our inner artists as we grow up. It takes the graphic novel into entirely new realms.

Illustration next : contemporary creative collaboration

741.6 BEN

This outstanding global survey brings together the dazzling talent of 50 leading illustrators from over 20 countries, among them Julia Rothman, Whitney Sherman and Mike Perry, and also provides them with the opportunity to indulge in a brilliant, creative experiment. The book is curated into two interleaved strands: in the first, each illustrator showcases their own work and is interviewed by the author to shine a light onto what inspires and motivates them. The second strand is a collaborative project with illustrators working in pairs to create original work to one of 25 briefs from the author based on themes ranging from ‘beauty’ to ‘beast’ and ‘speed’ to ‘excess’. Each collaboration is accompanied by a joint interview with the two illustrators.

Illustration : a theoretical and contextual perspective

741.64 MAL

Illustration practice is not judged purely by visual literacy and technical qualities, but also requires intellectual engagement with its subject matter. Illustration: A Theoretical & Contextual Perspective, 2nd Edition examines the breadth and many uses of this diverse discipline, through nearly 300 colour examples.

From developing a brief, conducting research and analysing visual language, the book goes on to explore the role of illustration in documentation, commentary, storytelling, persuasion and identity. It concludes with an overview of current professional practice, demonstrating that the ability to communicate meaningfully and effectively for a global audience is key to navigating today's creative industries.

Examples of work from award-winning illustrators showcase a huge range of applications, from the author's own collaboration with the British Museum of Natural History and Olivier Kugler's Portraits of Syrian Refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan, to Levi Pinfold's fictional picture book Black Dog and Malika Favre's promotional images for the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Film Awards.

Puffin by design : 70 years of imagination 1940-2010

741.642 SAL

Children’s picture-books are the very first books we encounter, and they form an important, constantly evolving and dynamic sector of the publishing industry. But what does it take to create a successful picture book for children? In seven chapters, this book covers the key stages of conceiving a narrative, creating a visual language and developing storyboards and design of a picture-book. There are interviews with leading children’s picture-book illustrators, as well as case studies of their work. The picture-books and artists featured hail from Australia, Belgium, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the USA. In this publication, Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles introduce us to the world of children’s picture-books, providing a solid background to the industry before going on to explore the key concepts and practices that have gone into the creation of picture-books.

100 great children's picture-books

741.642 SAL

This unashamed visual feast celebrates the best designed and illustrated picture-books from around the world over the past one hundred years. Each book is a creation of genius and inventiveness, and their design and illustration represent such diverse trends as the Russian Constructivists, Italian Futurists and Postwar Neo-romantics. They are also mirrors of their times reflecting social concerns from a child's and family's perspectives throughout the twentieth and into the twenty-first century. Fearlessly confronting the frontiers between a child's picturebook and art, this is a collection of books that anyone with an interest in design, illustration or simply children's literature should know about.

Modern British Wood Engraving: A new look at a traditional medium

DVD 761.2 SWE

The film looks at the wide application of wood engravings today including independent prints for exhibition, book illustration, fine art press and advertising.

Other contributors to the film include the author Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL, Bankside Gallery and the Ashmolean Museum. The main film is 45 minutes plus there are 10 × 10 minute conversations with ten featured artists: Neil Bousfield, Simon Brett, Harry Brockway, Chris Daunt, Anne Desmet, Edwina Ellis, John Lawrence, Peter Lawrence, Miriam Macgregor and Hilary Paynter.

New Library Books about Printmaking

THE LIBRARY CATALOGUE

You Can Click HERE to explore the new look Library catalogue.

NEW LIBRARY BOOKS ON PRINTMAKING

New Grounds : The Manual For Non-Toxic Etching/ Regina Held, Ray Maseman

This manual presents a comprehensive and detailed approach to making etchings safely. It is based on the methods employed and taught by New Grounds. We are grateful for all the wonderful successes and mistakes New Grounds artists have produced in the course of almost two decades that have greatly contributed to the knowledge base of this book. With detailed lists, step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting sections, this book offers valuable information for etchers on all levels. It is invaluable for those wishing to make the transition from toxic to non-toxic etching, and it is suited as a textbook for a college level etching class.

Post-Digital Printmaking : CNC, Traditional And Hybrid Techniques/ Paul Catanese And Angela Geary.

This groundbreaking book establishes Post-Digital Printmaking as a distinct area of printmaking practice both technically and conceptually. Radically different from digital print production (inkjet on high-quality paper), Post-Digital Printmaking integrates Computer Numeric Control (CNC) devices such as laser cutters and CNC routers with matrix production for lithography, intaglio and relief. This contemporary practice incorporates the strengths of both digital and traditional, resulting in hybrid printmaking techniques. A comprehensive and accessible technical introduction to this important area of printmaking, this book explains techniques and processes in detail, discusses the contexts within which Post-Digital Printmaking has arisen, and includes examples and case studies of artists applying these hybrid techniques in their work. 

Critical Mass : Printmaking Beyond The Edge/ By Richard Noyce.

This exciting new book showcases the work of a very diverse selection of 52 artists from 28 countries, against a spectrum of the concerns that inform the role and function of art in the increasingly technological global society. The mediums used by these artists range from new variations on traditional intaglio and relief techniques, to extreme forms of digital techniques, including time-based forms such as film and multi-media presentation. Printmaking continues to evolve as artists develop the traditional techniques and experiment with new techniques and materials. In recent years the boundaries between the once distinct fields of the visual arts have become blurred, and growing numbers of artists now incorporate printmaking techniques within their practice. This book provides a broad-ranging and challenging source of information on the most exciting cutting edge developments in international printmaking, which will be of value to students, professional artists and all those with an interest in the contemporary visual arts.

Modern Printmaking : A Guide To Traditional And Digital Techniques/ Sylvie Covey.

This all-in-one guide to printmaking techniques is a complete technical and inspirational book on the history and contemporary processes for relief, intaglio, lithography, serigraphy, mixed media/transfers and post digital graphics, with extended profiles of a wide range of contemporary printmakers.

Printmaking : A Complete Guide To Materials & Processes/ Beth Grabowski & Bill Fick.

Printmaking is a practical and comprehensive guide to printmaking techniques. This fully updated edition includes expanded chapters on digital and mixed media processes, and a brand new 'Print & Make' chapter, which explores the opportunities for creative expression within the many processes available to print makers. The more traditional techniques of relief, intaglio, collograph, lithography, screen printing and monoprint have also been refreshed with the addition of new images showing a broader range of subject matter, including more contemporary prints and international artists. Each technique is explored from the development of the printing or digital matrix, through the different stages of creation to image output. Guidance on how to set up a print studio, sections on troubleshooting techniques and the inclusion of up-to-date lists of suppliers, workshops and galleries make this an essential volume for beginner and experienced printmakers alike. 

Installations And Experimental Printmaking/ By Alexia Tala.

In this book, Alexia Tala explores and investigates the new experimental forms of printmaking, which are today pushing the traditional boundaries of this technique in contemporary art. These include the usage of photo-emulsion, glass and paper, Perspex and paint stripper, printing with sand and digital prints mounted on relief surfaces. This volume also considers the role of the moving image, encaustic (wax) techniques for printing, transferring, collaging and combining traditional prints with wax. In addition to an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of these individual approaches, the author also offers an insight into the experiences and concerns of contemporary artists displaying experimental printmaking objects and installations for exhibition. Work of over 30 British and International artists are illustrated giving the reader practical examples and inspiration to explore for themselves the experimental aspects of printmaking.

Practical mixed-media printmaking/ Sarah A. Riley.

Practical Mixed-Media Printmaking is an essential introduction to printmaking using a wide range of low-cost materials. This practical guide includes easy-to-follow instructions, hints and tips on all of the main printmaking techniques, as well as over 90 examples of works by contemporary printmakers and 19 profiles explaining the artists' methods and inspiration. Mixed-media printmaking allows vast freedom for experimentation and armed with the knowledge inside this book it is possible to adapt and refine the basic techniques to suit your own projects. This beautiful book will be an inspiration for printmakers at all levels. 

Print/Out : 20 Years In Print / Christophe Cherix, With Kim Conaty And Sarah Suzuki 

Over the past two decades, the art world has broadened its geographic reach and opened itself to new continents, allowing for a significant crosspollination of post-conceptual strategies and vernacular modes. Printed materials, both in innovative and traditional forms, have played a key role in this exchange of ideas and sources. This catalogue, published in conjunction with an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, examines the evolution of artistic practices related to prints, from the resurgence of ancient printmaking techniques often used alongside digital technologies to the worldwide proliferation of self-published artists books and ephemera. "Print/Out" features focused sections on ten artists and publishers, including Ai Weiwei, Ellen Gallagher, Martin Kippenberger, Lucy McKenzie, Museum in Progress, Superflex and Rirkrit Tiravanija, as well as rich illustrations of additional printed projects from the last twenty years by major artists such as Trisha Donnelly, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Thomas Schutte, and Kelley Walker. An introductory essay by Christophe Cherix, Chief Curator of Prints and Illustrated Books at MoMA, offers an overview of this period with particular attention to new directions and strategies within an expanded field of printmaking.

The Printmakers' Art / Hannah Brocklehurst And Kerry Watson.

The print collections of the National Galleries of Scotland reveal a diverse and dazzling variety of different techniques and approaches to printmaking. From exquisite copperplate engravings by the old masters to woodblocks cut on kitchen tables, this book examines key works by artists from Durer to Warhol and beyond, giving readers an introduction to printmaking as an art form and an understanding of the different working methods and materials. Through technical summaries and featured examples, The Printmaker's Art draws on the print and archive collections to illustrate and explain the mysteries of printmaking.

Memoirs Of The Blind : The Self-Portrait And Other Ruins/ Jacques Derrida 

In this brilliant essay, Jacques Derrida explores issues of vision, blindness, self-representation, and their relation to drawing, while offering detailed readings of an extraordinary collection of images. Selected by Derrida from the prints and drawings department of the Louvre, the works depict blindness--fictional, historical, and biblical. From Old and New Testament scenes to the myth of Perseus and the Gorgon and the blinding of Polyphemus, Derrida uncovers in these images rich, provocative layers of interpretation. For Derrida drawing is itself blind; as an act rooted in memory and anticipation, drawing necessarily replaces one kind of seeing (direct) with another (mediated). Ultimately, he explains, the very lines which compose any drawing are themselves never fully visible to the viewer since they exist only in a tenuous state of multiple identities: as marks on a page, as indicators of a contour. Lacking a "pure" identity, the lines of a drawing summon the supplement of the word, of verbal discourse, and, in doing so, obscure the visual experience. Consequently, Derrida demonstrates, the very act of depicting a blind person undertakes multiple enactments and statements of blindness and sight. "Memoirs of the Blind" is both a sophisticated philosophical argument and a series of detailed readings. Derrida provides compelling insights into famous and lesser known works, interweaving analyses of texts--including Diderot's "Lettres sur les aveugles," the notion of mnemonic art in Baudelaire's "The Painter of Modern Life," and Merleau-Ponty's "The Visible and the Invisible." Along with engaging meditations on the history and philosophy of art, Derrida reveals the waysviewers approach philosophical ideas through art, and the ways art enriches philosophical reflection. An exploration of sight, representation, and art, "Memoirs of the Blind" extends and deepens the meditation on vision and painting presented in "Truth and Painting." Readers of Derrida, both new and familiar, will profit from this powerful contribution to the study of the visual arts.

OTHER LIBRARY NEWS

The Library has been very busy over the summer installing a New Library Management System. This has allowed the Library to re-look at some of its policies in the hope to improve its services to users.

NEW LOAN ENTITLEMENTS:

All students are now entitled to borrow up to 10 items at any one time. In addition Headphones, Laptops and Visual Rulers are available to borrow (For use in the Library only).

HELP TO AVOID OVERDUE FINES:

2 days prior to the item being due back to the library you will receive an email. This is to remind you about your items on loan and that you need to return the items or renew them. If you would like to keep using them, please click on the blue web-link in the e-mail. This will take you straight to your Library account where you can click on a renew button to extend the date on your library loans. You can do this up to five times before you have to physically bring to item into the Library to renew. 

From your Library Account page you can also search the Library catalogue.  Hopefully the new e-mail alert system will help you avoid overdue Library Fines

If you need help logging into your Library account, searching the Library Catalogue or reserving books please ask at the Library counter; and we will be happy to help.  Equally if you need help in accessing the Library’s databases please just ask.

NEW LIBRARY STUDY AREAS:

The Library’s space has been slightly re-organised, in addition to the main Library there are now two quiet study rooms; one is for complete silent study and the other is for quiet study, where quiet conversation will be allowed.