In 2020 we were commissioned by the Bodleian Library and Fusion Arts Oxford to create a sound piece that explored a collection of contemporary and historical books through all of our senses for the upcoming exhibition 'Sense-sational Books'. We are currently creating our sound piece for the exhibition, titled 'Audioscripts'.
We have recently been to the Bodleian Library to record the sound of some of their incredible books. This one is one of our favourites - it is John James Audubon's Birds of America. The book was printed between 1827 and 1838, and contains 435 life-size watercolours of North American birds, all reproduced from hand-engraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration.
The bigger birds in the book are painted with their long necks curled around so they fit on the page. The book is over a metre tall, and 72cm wide. It took two people to turn each page, very carefully.
We will be sharing more about our project soon.
Courtesy of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Montgomery County Audubon Collection, and Zebra Publishing.