The Courtauld Digital Media Blog: Recent Episodes
Courtauld Digitisation
Welcome to the audio version of the Courtauld Digital Media blog. Here you can listen to versions of our written blog posts, with additional audio description for images.
The blog is put together by staff and volunteers contributing to the "Courtauld Connects" project, which will see over 1.5 million photographs digitised from the Conway, Kersting, and Laib collections at the Courtauld.
If you enjoy these readings, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Thank you for helping us share our collections.
This is the audio version of the blog post 'A Maritime Life Story: The ‘Venus’ Who Rose From The Waves'. It was written by Christopher Williams. It was first published on 25 May 2023. This audio version was recorded by Christopher Williams, who is a Digitisation volunteer.
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Charles Wheeler, Modern Sculptor – The Garden Court Keystones at the Bank of England'. It was written by Jake Bransgrove. It was first published on 5 November 2021. This audio version was recorded by Celia Cockburn, who is a Digitisation volunteer.
Jake looks at how architecture and sculpture cross over and the pressures faced during the creation of the Bank of England Garden Court Keystones by Charles Wheeler. (A keystone (or capstone) is the wedge-shaped stone at the apex of a masonry arch or typically round-shaped one at the apex of a vault. In both cases it is the final piece placed during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch or vault to bear weight.)
You can find the written version of this post and the photographs and collages created by Jake our blog https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/11/05/jake-bransgrove-charles-wheeler-modern-sculptor-the-garden-court-keystones-at-the-bank-of-england/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Why Materiality Matters'. It was written by Aayushi Gupta, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 24 August 2021. This audio version was recorded by Christopher Williams, who is a Digitisation volunteer.
Aayushi reflects on Tom Bilson's digitisation manifesto and the implications of this on archival projects. You can find the written version of this post and the photographs collected by Aayushi on our blog:
https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/08/24/aayushi-gupta-why-materiality-matters/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Ghosts on the South Bank: a walking tour of the Festival of Britain'. It was written by Kitty Gurnos-Davies, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 15 October 2021. This audio version was recorded by Celia Cockburn, who is a Digitisation volunteer.
Kitty revisits the South Bank of London with her own medium-format camera, to recreate and reimagine the Festival of Britain which once stood at the site. She explains how the landscape has changed, and what has remained the same, over the last 80 years.
You can find the written version of this post and the photographs and collages created by Kitty our blog https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/10/15/kitty-gurnos-davies-ghosts-on-the-south-bank-a-walking-tour-of-the-festival-of-britain/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Photographic Memories of Ravello, Italy'. It was written by Muny Morgan, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects digitisation project. It was first published on 27 September 2019. This audio version is read by Will Rodgers, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
You can find the written version with the photographs of Ravello on our blog: https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/tag/ravello/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'World Architecture Unlocked – our global transcription volunteering on Zooniverse'. It was written and recorded by Faye Fornasier, who is the The Courtauld’s Digitisation, Database, and Cataloguing Manager. It was first published on 26 October 2020 and The Courtauld launched its first global crowdsourced transcription project the next day.
You can find the written version of this post on our blog: https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/10/26/world-architecture-unlocked/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Introducing our New Digitisation Project'. It was written and recorded by Faye Fornasier, who is the The Courtauld’s Digitisation, Database, and Cataloguing Manager. It was first published on 9 March 2017.
This is the very first post with which we opened the blog, and marks the beginning of the pilot phase. Much has changed since then, but Faye describes the very first days with enthusiasm and high hopes for the future. You can find the written version of this post on our blog: https://sites.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/03/09/introducing-our-new-digitisation-project/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Yoga Vinyasa Inspired by Paul Laib's Photographs of Barbara Hepworth's Work'. It was written and recorded by Mary Whittingdale, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 8 October 2021.
Mary was inspired by Paul Laib's photographs of Barbara Hepworth's sculptures to create a yoga vinyasa. A vinyasa is a sequence of positions, one flowing after the other, guided by the breath. This type of yoga invites exploration of Hepworth’s work particularly well as attention is brought to both the poise of the figure and the fluidity of form.
You can find the written version of this post and follow the video which guides you through the vinyasa on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/10/08/mary-whittingdale-yoga-vinyasa-inspired-by-paul-laibs-photographs-of-barbara-hepworths-work/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On The Shelley Memorial by Edward Onslow Ford'. It was written by Alexander Bird, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 10 April 2020. This audio version is read by Christopher Williams, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this post, Alexander considers how Edward Onslow Ford's memorial for Percy Bysshe Shelley idealised the poet's life and death. The memorial can be found at University College Oxford, where Shelley was once a rebellious student, and depicts a male figure surrounded by allegorical, mythic, and religious details. Alexander discusses how Ford's work is representative of the "New Sculpture" movement of the 19th century, and reflects on how the sculpture affected the way that Shelley and his work have been remembered ever since.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/04/10/alexander-bird-on-the-shelley-memorial-by-edward-onslow-ford/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Hop Exchange'. It was written by Lorraine Stoker, who volunteers with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 22 June 2021. This audio version is read by Celia Cockburn, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this post, Lorraine uses a photograph of the decorated portico of the Hop Exchange in Southwark, London, UK, to reflect on the changing fortunes of hop-pickers and hop-sellers in living memory. The tympanum, above the doorway of the Exchange, shows an idealised view of hop-pickers, while inside the building the ornate Victorian decoration reflects symbols of Kent, a county in south east England famous for its hop farms.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/06/22/lorraine-stoker-the-hop-exchange/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'A Sequel To The “Unfinished Symphony” Of Charles Sargeant Jagger'. It was written by Cornelia Chen aka Chen Chen, who did a remote student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 14 May 2021. This audio version is read by Christopher Williams, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this post, Cornelia is inspired by photographs of Charles Sergeant Jagger's sculptures to reflect on the workings of memory and public memorialisation. Using a software called Pixelsynth, Cornelia creates sound pieces to accompany the photographs: the resulting sounds draw out the atmospheres and moods of the memorials, drawing viewers and listeners into the small details.
You can find the written version with the photographs and embedded videos with sound on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/05/14/chen-unfinished-symphony-charles-sargeant-jagger/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Getting to know our volunteers'. It was written by Sarah Way, who was the Volunteer Coordinator with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project from 2017-2019. It was first published on 22 March 2017. This audio version is read by Celia Cockburn, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this post, Sarah reflects on six weeks of recruiting new volunteers for the project. It turns out, it's almost impossible to describe a 'typical' volunteer for the project, as people come from all walks of life to generously bring their skills and share their knowledge with this ambitious project.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/03/22/interviewing-volunteers/
1-7 June is Volunteers’ Week in the UK. In 2020, this fell during lockdown, and we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our fantastic Digitisation Volunteers. We interviewed several of our volunteers and shared their responses in a series of blog posts.
This interview is with Gill, Lorraine, and Bill. For this audio version, Gill and Bill read their own answers, while Lorraine's answers are voiced by Celia. The audio was edited by Christopher Bean. Both Celia and Christopher are also volunteers with us. As you will hear, our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a huge range of interests. We hope you enjoy meeting some of our wonderful team!
You can find the written version, with photographs, on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/06/08/meet-our-volunteers-gill-lorraine-and-bill/
1-7 June is Volunteers’ Week in the UK. In 2020, this fell during lockdown, and we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our fantastic Digitisation Volunteers. We interviewed several of our volunteers and shared their responses in a series of blog posts.
This interview is with Francesca and Anne. For this audio version, Francesca'a answers are read by Claudia, and Anne's answers are voiced by Celia, who are also digitisation volunteers. As you will hear, our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a huge range of interests. We hope you enjoy meeting some of our wonderful team!
You can find the written version, with photographs, on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/06/07/meet-our-volunteers-francesca-and-anne/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Building Independence: the Kenyan Parliament'. It was written by Ben Britton, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 23 April 2021. This audio version is also read by Ben.
In this post, Ben examines two photographs by Anthony Kersting. These photographs show the National Assembly building in Nairobi, Kenya. In its architectural design, Ben explains how the building reflects both the tastes and legacies of colonial rule, and the ambitious future-looking, socialist ambitions of the independent nation.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/04/23/ben-britton-building-independence-the-kenyan-parliament/
1-7 June is Volunteers’ Week in the UK. In 2020, this fell during lockdown, and we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our fantastic Digitisation Volunteers. We interviewed several of our volunteers and shared their responses in a series of blog posts.
This interview is with Celia and Erva. For this audio version, Celia was able to read her responses, and Erva's answers are voiced by Elena, another digitisation volunteer. As you will hear, our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a huge range of interests. We hope you enjoy meeting some of our wonderful team!
You can find the written version, with photographs, on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/06/03/meet-our-volunteers-celia-and-erva/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'A Photographic Detective Story: The Curious Case Of The Sultan In The Cellar'. It was written by Julian Wood, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 5 February 2021. This audio version is read by Meredith Loper, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
In this post, Julian is intrigued by a mysterious photo album held in the Conway Library. The album is filled with black-and-white prints showing churches, classical architecture, and city scapes from around the Mediterranean. But who made the album, and why? Julian uses handwritten initials as a starting point for unravelling stories of family and travel, and examines the historical significance of the photographs carefully collected together.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/02/05/julian-wood-a-photographic-detective-story-the-curious-case-of-the-sultan-in-the-cellar/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Layers of London records by Michael Mayes'. Michael is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project, and this post includes an introduction written by Fran Allfrey, the Courtauld Connects volunteer officer. It was first published on 26 June 2020. This audio version is read by Claudia Neagu, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
Layers of London is a website run by the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London. Layers of London allows anyone in the world to add photographs to a map of London, 'pinning' images, memories, and research about particular locations. Volunteers at the Courtauld have uploaded over 100 photographs to Layers of London. In this post, we share just four of Michael's favourite photographs: the Crown Pub, the Lenin Memorial, Ludgate Circus, and the Horniman Museum.
You can find the written version with the photographs on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/06/26/layers-of-london-highlights-records-by-michael-mayes/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'London Life: Beatniks And Barefoot Girls In Trafalgar Square'. The post was written by Lorraine Stoker, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 11 December 2020. This audio version is read by Celia Cockburn, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
One of thousands of photographs by Anthony Kersting is labelled "Beatniks and barefoot girls in Trafalgar Square". Lorraine is transported by the photograph back to the 1960s, and brings together research and personal memories to imagine the conversations being had in the picture. The printed photograph was without a date, however, Lorraine discovers an exact date for the photo, and proposes how the image captures the spirit of the decade.
You can find the written version with the photograph by Kersting on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/12/11/lorraine-stoker-london-life-beatniks-and-barefoot-girls-in-trafalgar-square/
This is the audio version of the blog post '9,763 Red Boxes'. The post was written by Surya Bowyer, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 29 January 2021. The post features illustrations by Simba Baylon who can be found on Instagram @simbalenciaga. This audio version is read by Christopher Williams, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
Surya's beautiful post combines memories, instruction manuals from the digitisation project, photographic theory, and quotations from Susan Sontag, Donald Barthelme, William Blake to reconstruct an experience of being in the Conway Library. As she writes: "Officially: There are 9,763 boxes in the Conway Library", but inside each box is a journey waiting to be taken, houses and streets to explore. We hope you enjoy this meditative and creative piece.
You can find the written version with illustrations by Simba Baylon on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2021/01/29/surya-bowyer-9763-red-boxes/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Stepping Back In Mind, South East Asia'. The post was written by Muny Morgan, who is a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 4 December 2020. This audio version is read by Tianyu, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Muny comes across a photograph taken by Anthony Kersting of Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, in Bangkok. Kersting travelled the world, and thousands of his photos are in the Courtauld's collection. However, this particular photograph leads Muny down memory lane. Muny shares photos from her own photographic archive and other pictures taken by Kersting to reflect on the varied architectures of South East Asia and how they have developed over time, from colonial buildings through to futuristic skyscrapers.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/12/04/muny-morgan-stepping-back-in-mind-south-east-asia/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Soutine’s Portraits Exhibition At The Courtauld Gallery'. The post was written by Stewart Cliff, who volunteered with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 1 November 2017. This audio version is read by Elena Vardon, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Stewart discusses the portraits made by Soutine displayed at The Courtauld in 2017. He discusses how the artist's work relates to that of his contemporaries, including photographers, other painters, and modernist and post-modernist designers. Stewart shows us a way of looking at the portraits as having a photographic quality that captures a fleeting real moment in time, and he explains how Soutine - who lived in destitution in Europe - found fame in the USA.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/11/01/stewart-cliff-soutines-portraits-exhibition/
This is the audio version of the blog post '18th Century China Under The Pen Of William Alexander: An Amazing Journey Following The British Embassy'. The post was written by Ruixian Zhang, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 3 September 2019. This audio version is read by Gill Stoker, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Ruixian traces the journey made in 1792 by the first British Embassy to China. William Alexander was a young draftsman who was recruited to join the embassy and record its trip: copies of drawings and engravings by Alexander are now kept in The Courtauld's Witt Library of art. Alexander's drawings, together with diary extracts by members of the embassy, give an insight into British-Chinese relations in the eighteenth-century, and show the beginnings of a struggle for power between the two countries as Britain sought to relentlessly and ruthlessly expand its trading empire.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/09/03/ruixian-zhang-18th-century-china-under-the-pen-of-william-alexander-an-amazing-journey-following-the-british-embassy/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Visiting the British Library's Imaging Studios'. The post was written by Carol Budd, a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 9 June 2017. This audio version is read by Bill Bryant, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Carol recounts a visit to the British Library's imaging studios. Volunteers at the Courtauld frequently visit other digitisation projects, to put our project into context, and find out more about the wider world of digital preservation and archives, and open access. The British Library kindly organised a host of talks during the visit, and volunteers heard from Fiona Clancy, Studio Manager, and Stella Wisdom and Rossitza Atanassova, Digital Curators. Did you know? The British Library are digitising their own collections, which include sound and websites, and they also offer services to other organisations and for commercial purposes. Listen to find out more!
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/06/09/visiting-british-library-studios/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'London's Hanging Gardens of Babylon: the Alexandra Road Estate Then and Now'. The post was written by Florence Heyworth, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 2 October 2020. This audio version is read by Ellie, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Florence looks at the history of the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate, which was designed by Neave Brown for Camden Council in 1968. Known often as simply 'Alexandra Road', the estate became instantly iconic, and has featured in a number of films and music videos. However, the building of the estate ran into problems, and although it has many fans, the fame of the estate also has its downsides. Combining images from the Conway Library, from social media, and with reference to interviews with residents and news stories about the estate, Florence examines the changing fortunes of this unmistakable and ambitious post-war landscape. Her blog also includes a collage by Bella Watts and Florence Heyworth, which combines an illustration by Latheev Deepan Kolad and a Conway Library photograph.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/10/02/florence-heyworth-londons-hanging-gardens-of-babylon-alexandra-road-estate-then-and-now/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Anthony Kersting "Nassau, Bahamas, Chelsea Pottery"'. The post was written by Lorraine Stoker, a volunteer with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 18 September 2020. This audio version is read by Anne Hutchings, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Lorraine examines a single photograph by Anthony Kersting. The photograph catches Lorraine's eye for the sheer array of different sculptures that are on show, and Kersting has captured a young artist sitting amongst the statues, glazing a plate. On the back of the print is Kersting's annotation: "Nassau, Bahamas, Chelsea Pottery". This clue sets Lorraine off to discover the name of the artist at work - Maxwell Taylor - and she explores Taylor's life and work since Kersting took his photograph in the 1960s.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/09/18/lorraine-stoker-kersting-nassau-bahamas-chelsea-pottery/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Utopia Or Incubator? Le Corbusier’s L’Unité D’Habitation As Photographed By Lucien Hervé'. The post was written by Mia Gainsford, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 10 January 2020. This audio version is read by Francesca Humi, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Mia explores the resonances of the alternative names given to Le Corbusier’s L’Unité D’Habitation building in Marseille, France. For some, it is 'la maison du fada', or 'the madman's house', while for others it is 'the radiant city'. In the Conway library, many photographs of the building are by Lucien Hervé, who captures people in his images (unusual for most of the architectural photographs in the collection). Children play in the building's stairwells and rooftops, while adults recline on modernist furniture, gazing out of the windows. Mia examines how Hervé may have focussed on the children precisely to explore the reception of Le Corbusier's controversial building: are children innocent victims of the 'madman', his playmates, or living in a blissful utopia?
You can find the written version with images on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/01/10/mia-gainsford-utopia-or-incubator-le-corbusiers-lunite-dhabitation-as-photographed-by-lucien-herve/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Emerging from the emulsion: Milton Hall Chinoiserie'. The post was written by Faye Fornasier, who is the Digitisation Manager with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 26 May 2017. This audio version is read by Christopher Williams, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Faye examines a beautiful photograph of an ornate bedroom, taken by Anthony Frank Kersting in the 1950s. The entire space is lavishly decorated, with different colours and textures suggested even in the black and white photograph. Looking closely at the digitised photograph, touching scenes - as well as reminders of empire - may be seen in the Chinoiserie wallpaper.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/05/26/milton-hall/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Worker/Housewife: Designing The Frankfurt Kitchen'. The post was written by Victoria Bennett, who is the Digitisation Assistant with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 25 September 2020. This audio version is read by Celia Cockburn, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Victoria weighs up the revolutionary, yet conservative, ideals behind the 'Frankfurt Kitchen'. In the mid-1920s in Frankfurt, Germany saw a desperate housing shortage. In 1925, architect and city planner Ernst May was employed to head a new social housing project, known as the New Frankfurt, which would see the construction of 10,000 new homes for the working classes. He enlisted the help of Margarete Schutte-Lihotzky – Austria’s first female architect and fellow efficiency advocate – to design a new and thoroughly modern kitchen, befitting of this vision for ideal social housing.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/09/25/victoria-bennett-the-frankfurt-kitchen/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Wings and Wheels'. The post was written by Evie Mc, who is a volunteer with Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 6 November 2017. This audio version is read by Ellie, another digitisation volunteer.
In this blog Evie delves into the symbolism of a print from the Courtauld's collection. A surreal scene of figures with many heads and wings gliding over waters accompanied by enormous wheels covered in eyes leads Evie to explore biblical passages. Evie also uncovers the meaning of the names and abbreviations at the bottom of the image, and explores some of the other works done by the same artist and engraver.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/11/06/wings-and-wheels-by-evie-mc/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Illegible Kersting'. The post was written by Lorraine Stoker, who is a volunteer with Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 10 January 2018. This audio version is read by Anne Hutchings, another digitisation volunteer.
In this blog Lorraine introduces us to Anthony Kersting's hand written ledger books. Kersting had a meticulous system of numbering all his prints and negatives, and keeping ledger books where you can look up the number, and find a short description. The slight problem is, sometimes his handwriting can be rather difficult to decipher! Lorraine recounts the epic quest she embarked on to solve on mystery of an unidentifiable country house: tracing clues through local and national archives and consulting art and architecture experts along the way. Listen to find out how Lorraine cracked this case.
You can find the written version with images on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/01/10/the-illegible-kersting/
This is the audio version of the blog post '“North Iraq, A Yezidi Girl”: Memory And Forgetting In The Kersting Photographic Archive'. The post was written and read by Brittany Ellis, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 27 March 2020.
In this blog Brittany reflects on Anthony Kersting's photographs of people taken in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan in the 1940s. Brittany is an anthropologist and archaeologist, which leads her to focus on the histories and contexts, material properties, and the silences in these photographs. She wonders about Kersting's methods and intentions, how subjects felt about being photographed, the colonial gaze represented in the images, and the strange silences that the photographs conjure. She also queries what the future holds for the photos: now that they are being digitised, perhaps the communities that they represent will be able to access the portraits and have a say over their presentation.
You can find the written version with images on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/03/27/brittany-ellis-north-iraq-a-yezidi-girl-memory-and-forgetting-in-the-kersting-photographic-archive/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Strand Statues'. The post was written by Leonora Monson, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 24 January 2020. The audio version is read by David Brown, a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog Leonora explains the story of commission, controversy, and iconoclasm surrounding Jacob Epstein's statues on the Strand. Designed for and installed on what was the British Medical Association's building at 429 Strand, the statues showing human forms of birth, life, and death quickly generated a public debate, which resulted in some statues being damaged and removed. The Conway Library collection includes photographs of the statues in Epstein's studio, in situ on the Strand, and in their final home across the Atlantic...
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/01/24/leonora-monson-epsteins-eighteen-nude-statues/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Northampton Architecture And Mr Bassett-Lowke'. The post was written and read by Jane Macintyre, who is a volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 22 May 2019.
In this blog (one of a pair) Jane explores gems of Northampton architecture and interior design. This post focusses on Northampton businessman W.J. Bassett-Lowke (1877–1953). He is perhaps best known as the man behind the development of the UK’s model railway industry. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of modernism, which led him to commission two leading architects of the early 20th century to design his homes: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Peter Behrens. Jane examines photographs of the houses that are held in the Conway Library, and reflects on the changing tastes of the Bassett-Lowkes.
You can find the written version with images on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/05/22/jane-macintyre-northampton-architecture-and-mr-bassett-lowke/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Meeting HRH The Princess Royal'. The post was written and read by Jane Macintyre, who is a volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 16 June 2017.
In this blog, Jane recounts the day that HRH the Princess Royal visited The Courtauld Gallery and the Institute in her role as Chancellor of the University of London. This included dropping in to see the progress of the (then brand new!) digitisation project. Photographs of the Princess’s home, Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, are held in the collection, as are other photographs of royal interest, such as images of Olympics venues including the Athens Arena from 1896, the first Olympics of modern times.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/06/16/volunteer-voices-jane-macintyre-meets-hrh-the-princess-royal/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Northampton Architecture: The Guildhall'. The post was written and read by Jane Macintyre, who is a volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 11 March 2019.
In this blog (one of a pair) Jane explores gems of Northampton architecture and interior design. This post focusses on the ornate Guildhall building, a stunning example of high Victorian Gothic revival by architect E.W. Godwin, completed in 1864. Jane examines how small details of the building reflect stories of Northampton's industry and leisure.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/03/11/jane-macintyre-on-northampton-architecture-the-guildhall/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Collecting Stories Workshop'. The post was written by Faye Fornasier, Digitisation Manager for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 18 August 2017. The audio version is read by Digitisation Volunteer Celia Cockburn.
In this blog, Faye explains the Collecting Stories workshop, in which digitisation volunteers explores the Conway Library and found photographs that spoke to them. Volunteers chose photographs because they sparked a memory or personal connection, reminded them of a favourite artwork, or were visually intriguing. Some of the stories and responses from other volunteers have been recorded on this blog. Do you have memories or stories sparked by our photographs? We'd love to hear them - be in touch on Twitter @CourtauldDigi or Instagram @courtaulddigitisation.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/08/18/collecting-stories/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'At a crossroads: Anthony Kersting's depiction of Almudena Cathedral, Madrid'. The post was written and read by Mihaela Elena Man, who did a student placement with the Courtauld Connects Conway Library digitisation project. It was first published on 28 August 2020.
In this blog, Mihaela examines a photograph by Anthony Kersting of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. Kersting took the photograph in 1956, before the main façade of the building was completed. Mihaela explores the resonances of the photograph: at first, it seems to evoke nostalgia, the partially-constructed cathedral appearing like a ruin. Yet, Mihaela argues, when we flip the print over to reveal Kersting's annotations which bring in other temporalities to the photograph, we might better appreciate the 'iterative gap' he captured. The photograph represents a singular moment in the timeline of this monument that asks us to consider multiple social and political histories.
You can find the written version with images on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/08/28/mihaela-elena-man-at-a-crossroads-kerstings-depiction-of-the-almudena-cathedral/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Prints and Paper: On visiting the Courtauld's prints room and conservation studio'. The post was written by Evie, a digitisation volunteer for the Courtauld Connects project. It was first published on 15 September 2017. The audio version is read by Gill Stoker, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Evie describes a visit to the print rooms and conservation studios at the Courtauld. She introduces us to the world of print making techniques, from etching to aquatint to lithography, and explains how the conservators and curators at the Courtauld preserve the prints, drawings and watercolours in their care. Volunteers learned about these processes as they were then starting to digitise these objects. This part of the digitisation is now complete, and the digital files are now waiting for their brand new website home.
You can find the written version with images on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/09/15/prints-paper-evie-mc/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Can Tony Kersting Take You To Your Home Town?'. The post was written by Faye Fornasier, Digitisation Manager for the Courtauld Connects project. It was first published on 4 May 2018. The audio version is read by Tanya Goodman-Bailey, who is a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Faye goes looking for her home town (Belluno in Italy) among the prints, negatives, and hand-written ledgers in Anthony Kersting's collection. Kersting's photographs came to the Courtauld in 2008 after he passed away. Happily, Faye finds her home town, and she examines some of the similarities and differences between the views captured by Kersting and from her memories. She also explains how piecing together the accession numbers written on the prints and negatives with the more detailed ledger entries is a very important task of the digitisation project.
You can find the written version with photographs on our blog https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/05/04/can-tony-kersting-take-home-town/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Keats-Shelley House In Rome'. The post was written by Lorraine Stoker, a digitisation volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Library project. It was first published on 31 July 2020. The audio version is read by Bill Bryant, who is also a digitisation volunteer.
In this blog, Lorraine examines a photograph of the Keats Shelley House in Rome, taken by Anthony Frank Kersting in 1961. Lorraine sees the images and ideas of Keats's poem, 'Ode to a Nightingale', reflected in the then-dilapidated building captured in black-and-white by Kersting. She reflects on how the building has been transformed into the place that she knows and loves from visits to Italy, and reveals how photographs of architecture can capture emotion.
You can find the written version with photographs on our blog http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/07/31/lorraine-stoker-the-keats-shelley-house-in-rome/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Creative City'. The post was written by Keelin Willis, who did a student placement at the Courtauld. It was first published on 7 February 2020. The audio version is read by David Brown, a digitisation volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library project.
In this blog, Keelin explores the notion of the city as "theatre", proposed by Lewis Mumford in his 1937 essay "What is a City?". She examines whether or how ordinary citizens might have the potential to shape or re-shape the city that shapes them. The Undercroft at the Southbank provides an interesting case study, as Keelin reflects on balances of power between of large institutions such as local government or arts centres, and the people who use this semi-public space. As a final act of exploring power relations in arts and design, Keelin takes an object from the Conway Library and creatively makes it her own.
You can find the written version with photographs and Keelin's collage on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/02/07/keelin-willis-the-creative-city/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Visions of London'. The post was written by Hannah Wilson, who did a student placement at the Courtauld. It was first published on 17 January 2019. The audio version is read by Anne Hutchings, a digitisation volunteer for the Courtauld Connects Conway Library project.
In this blog, Hannah examines three examples of plans for London that never came to fruition: from a monumental Neo Classical addition to Selfridges in 1918; the pre World War II proposals for wide boulevards of gleaming glass and concrete by the Glass Age Town Planning Committee; to a Romantic vision of a rebuilt, post-war 1940s London by the Royal Academy. Hannah reflects on why these visions never became a reality, and compares these plans to the London that stands today.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/01/17/hannah-wilson-visions-of-london/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Reflections on Imagination Dead Imagine'. The post was written by Megan Stevenson, who did a student placement at the Courtauld. It was first published on 24 August 2020. The audio version is also read by Megan.
In this blog, Megan reflects on an intriguing photograph from the visual art and installations section of the Conway Library. The photograph shows an installation view of ‘Imagination Dead Imagine’, a sculpture by David Ward, exhibited at the Whitechapel Gallery in London, England, in 1991. Megan wonders whether the photograph could ever faithfully capture the installed artwork, and suggests how the photograph itself pushes the Ward's interest in the possibilities of imagination even further.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/08/24/imagination-dead-imagine/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Visiting the Tate Archives'. The post was written by Lorraine Stoker, a digitisation volunteer at the Courtauld. It was first published on 21 June 2017. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Gill Stoker.
In this blog, Lorraine discusses a visit to the Tate Archives. She explains the rationale behind the project, and how its aims align with, and can offer inspiration to, the Courtauld digitisation project and volunteers. Lorraine also explores some of the history of the Tate Britain building itself and its new 'Digital Archive Corridor', before discussing a couple of photographs of the Tate that are held in the Conway Library.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/06/21/volunteer-voices-lorraine-stoker-tate-archives/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The serene beauty of Robert Byron's Isfahan'. The post was written by Sophie Buckman, who did a student placement with the Courtauld. It was first published on 13 March 2020. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Christopher Williams.
In this blog, Sophie is transported to Isfahan by photographs captured by early-twentieth-century travel writer Robert Byron. Byron's photographs which he took to illustrate his 1937 book The Road to Oxiana, are held in the Conway library at the Courtauld. Sophie examines Byron's photographs of the bridges that cross the Zayandehrud river, that speak to historical visions of a king on his throne within the bridge admiring the city, contemporary concerns with water management, and her own experiences of visiting Isfahan in 2017.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/03/13/sophie-buckman-the-serene-beauty-of-robert-byron-isfahan/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Who Made the Conway Library?'. The post was written by Faye Fornasier, Digitisation Manager at the Courtauld. It was first published on 30 June 2020. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Gill Stoker.
In this blog, Faye explains how the library was founded by Martin Conway, but subsequently added to by hundreds of expert and amateur photographers. Since 2017, volunteers have been busy transcribing names printed, stamped, or hand written onto the photographs to compile a list of names. In summer 2020, during lockdown, volunteers began the process of researching the biographies behind the names. What stories might these names reveal? On the text version of the blog, you can find the full list of names. Please do be in touch if you recognise any of them!
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/06/30/who-made-the-conway-library/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Castle Howard'. The post was written by Mark Long, who, at the time of writing was a digitisation volunteer on the Courtauld Digitisation project, and in 2019 Mark joined the staff team as the Photographic Conservation & Collections Coordinator. It was first published on 14 December 2018. The audio version is also read by digitisation volunteer Bill Bryant.
In this blog, Mark explains the phenomenon of 'vignetting', which is where shaded corners encroach on a photograph. In the age of Instagram, vignetting can be a stylistic choice. However, in the world of architectural photography, this is an error that can occur when photographers use the tilt-shift technique to straighten the lines of tall buildings, and cheat the convergence of lines caused by perspective. Photographs and diagrams may be seen on the blog.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/12/14/mark-long-vignetting/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Castle Howard'. The post was written by John Ramsey, a volunteer on the Courtauld Digitisation project. It was first published on 8 August 2020. The audio version is also read by John.
In this blog, John explores Castle Howard, prompted by two photographs by Anthony Kersting held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art. The stately home inspired the setting for Evelyn Waugh's novel Brideshead Revisited, and the house was also used in the TV adaptation of the book. During a digitisation shift, John noticed something different about one of the photographs, which led him to explore the literary and architectural fortunes of the house.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/08/07/john-ramsey-castle-howard/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Anthony Frank Kersting, Canary Wharf, And The Removal Of The Fat Cat'. The post was written by Jessie Palmer, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 15 August 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer David Brown.
In this blog, Jessie goes hunting for the 'Fat Cat' in the Conway library. Unsurprisingly for the secretive world of finance, she finds that the Fat Cat in human form is nowhere to be seen. However, Jessie explains how four photographs by Anthony Kersting of the Canary Wharf estate may provide some insight into the psychology big business.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/08/15/jessie-palmer-af-kersting-canary-wharf-and-the-removal-of-the-fat-cat/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Church Of St James The Great, South Leigh'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer John Ramsey, and was first published on 23 October 2018. The audio version is also read by John.
In this blog, John follows the trail set by a beautiful photograph of a Church wall painting, captured by Anthony Kersting. Kersting's detailed photograph, taken in 1997, leads John to examine the iconography of The Last Judgment, and reveals intriguing connections between these medieval visions, nineteenth-century design, and even a contemporary poet.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/10/23/john-ramsey-church-of-st-james-the-great-south-leigh/
This is the audio version of the blog post '“I Suppose It’s Not The Place’s Fault”'. The post was written by Sophie Bailey, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 26 July 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Elena Vardon.
In this blog, Sophie explains the vision of the post-war town planners as they created "New Towns". She notes that "places such as Stevenage were designed to be “gay and bright” [...] replicating the neighbourly spirit of London slums within a self-contained community, near to the countryside but equipped with its own shops, schools and leisure facilities." Unfortunately, following decades of under-investment, the reputation of the "New Towns" declined toward the end of the twentieth century. Sophie makes creative collages using photographs of Stevenage, to reimagine the optimism and beauty that the "New Towns" once, and may yet again, represent.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/07/26/sophie-bailey-i-suppose-its-not-the-places-fault/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Meeting The Photographer’s Gaze – Absence And Presence In Anthony Kersting’s Images Of Nepal'. The post was written by Samuel Cheney, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 12 July 2019. The audio version is read by Samuel.
In this blog, Sam examines photographs taken by Anthony Kersting in Nepal in 1971. Sam suggests that these photographs "show how Kersting attempted to provide an impression of the country by representing both humanity and architectural landscapes in one continuum". Kersting's photographic negatives and prints are held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/07/12/samuel-cheney-meeting-the-photographers-gaze/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Looking Through Different Laws Of Landscape'. The post was written by Alia Ahmad, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 4 December 2017. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Verity Babbs.
In this blog, Alia considers the presentation of landscape in the works of three artists: paintings by Édouard Manet, sketches by Federico Barocci, and photographs by Anthony Kersting. Copies of Manet and Barocci's work can be found in the Courtauld Institute of Art’s Witt Library. The Witt is a collection of over two million photographs, reproductions and cuttings of paintings, drawings and engravings of Western Art from around 1200 to the early 2000s. Kersting's collection of photographic negatives and prints is held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/12/04/looking-different-laws-landscape/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Unexpected Music In The Conway Library'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Ferhat Ulusu, and was first published on 29 May 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Christopher Williams.
In this blog, Ferhat reviews the evening of music organised by students and staff at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Following Ferhat's review are the programme notes, which introduce each piece in the words of the composers and organisers.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/05/29/ferhat-ulusu-unexpected-music-in-the-conway-library/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Modernity In The Conway'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Lorraine Stoker, and was first published on 7 November 2018. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Anna Thompson.
In this blog, Lorraine finds some of her favourite examples of modernist architecture in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Taking in the Barbican estate in the City of London, the Isokon building, Camden, and Bevin Court, Finsbury, Lorraine invites us to see the splendour in these concrete palaces.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/11/07/lorraine-stoker-modernity-in-the-conway/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Steiner Guide To Steiner – A Mini Waldorf Textbook For The Courtauld'. The post was written by Tallulah Griffith, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 13 February 2020. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Gill Stoker.
In this blog, Tallulah explains her creation 'The Steiner Guide To Steiner', a non-textbook that includes prompts written diagonally and upside down, and photographs of Rudolf Steiner's 'Goetheanum' buildings which are held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Steiner - a philosopher, social reformer, spiritualist, and clairvoyant - designed these buildings as places for his ideal model of 'anthroposophical' education. Tallulah's booklet, now part of the Conway collection, invites readers to engage with the photographs of Steiner's buildings in experimental ways.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/02/13/tallulah-griffith-the-steiner-guide-to-steiner-a-mini-waldorf-textbook-for-the-courtauld/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Anthony Kersting and The Picturesque'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Irma Delmonte, and was first published on 18 June 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer John Ramsey.
In this blog, Irma examines how photographs by Anthony Kersting, held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art, reveal the photographer's keen interest in ideas of 'The Picturesque'. Kersting's photographs of the Rievaulx Terrace and 'Cistercian abbey' at Duncombe Park in Yorkshire show the buildings as the architects would have wanted them: in the context of their landscape, taking perfect consideration of light, shadow, and perspective.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/06/18/irma-delmonte-af-kersting-and-the-picturesque/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Journey Through Materiality – Communicating Familiarity And Distance'. The post was written by Peyton Cherry, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 1 July 2019. The audio version is read by Peyton.
In this blog, Peyton contemplates intimacy in the photographs of Anthony Kersting, held in the Conway Library. The argues that through the digitisation process, which pays particular attention to the materiality of photographs, we need not worry that any sense of intimacy is lost, and that we may bridge distance in time and space through encountering Kersting's pictures.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/07/01/peyton-cherry-journey-through-materiality-communicating-familiarity-and-distance/
This is the audio version of the blog post '“The New Towns Are No Longer New” – Basildon In The Conway Archive'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Ben Britton, and was first published on 21 February 2020. The audio version is also read by Ben.
In this blog, Ben muses on the unfortunate fate of the reputation of "New Towns" in Britain, which were conceived of as utopic communities, filled with post-war optimism. Examining photographs of Basildon, Ben finds reason to champion these "New Towns": they show lively activity and ambitious social architecture, which - with continued investment and care - could still prove to be beautiful places to live and visit.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/02/21/ben-britton-the-new-towns-are-no-longer-new-basildon-in-the-conway-archive/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Man Who Wasn’t There: portraiture through the eyes of Anthony Kersting'. The post was written by Alia Ahmad, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 18 December 2017. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Francesca Humi.
In this blog, Alia can't resist looking through hundreds of boxes of photographs by Anthony Kersting, held at the Conway Library in the Courtauld Institute of Art. She reflects on how Kersting's portraits depict subjects who seem so at ease, we forget the photographer is there and imagine the scene is a reflection of naturalistic reality. Yet, occasionally, a photograph reminds us that there is someone behind the camera, who may or may not be welcome.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/12/18/the-man-who-wasnt-there/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'The Oxen of Laon Cathedral'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer John Ramsey, and was first published on 3 January 2020. The audio version is also read by John.
In this blog, John delves into medieval scholarship and folklore to propose why Laon Cathedral, France, is unusually adorned with sixteen life-sized statues of oxen.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/01/03/john-ramsey-the-oxen-of-laon-cathedral/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On Digitising at the Courtauld'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Mary Caple, and was first published on 8 May 2017. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Tanya Goodman-Bailey.
In this blog, Mary explains some of the key processes that go into the Conway Library digitisation project: from initial sorting and labelling (otherwise known as accessioning); transcribing the hand-written ledgers of photographer Anthony Kersting; and taking photographs of photographs with powerful cameras.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/05/08/volunteer-voices-mary-caple/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Contested Spaces: Capturing Modernist Architecture In Postcolonial India'. The post was written by Corinna Summers, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 1 February 2020. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Christopher Williams.
In this blog, Corinna discusses the "relationship between the aesthetics of architecture and its social function", prompted by photographs of buildings designed by French architect Le Corbusier and his team in the 1950s in Chandigarh, northern India.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/02/01/corrina-summers-contested-spaces-capturing-modernist-architecture-in-postcolonial-india/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Interpreting the Conway Library With BeyondAutism'. The post was written by Sarah Way, who at the time of writing was Volunteer Manager on the digitisation project, and was first published on 13 September 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Gill Stoker.
In this blog, Sarah reflects on a day spent with students and staff at BeyondAutism on a creative project using Conway Library photographs. The result was 'a very sensory, sticky and wonderfully original set of collages, all unique in their outcome, all reflective of a much bigger process of coming together, learning from each other and understanding the beauty of diversity.'
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/09/13/sarah-way-interpreting-the-conway-with-beyondautism/
BeyondAutism is a pioneering service which offers young adults with complex needs aged 19 to 25 “an individualised personal curriculum.”
This is the audio version of the blog post 'A Love Affair With Canada'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer Sabrina Gardiner, and was first published on 20 February 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Tanya Goodman-Bailey.
In this blog, Sabrina recounts her visits to Canada, and reflects on how the photographs of Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Toronto made her fall in love with the country all over again.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/02/20/sabrina-gardiner-a-love-affair-with-canada/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'On the Wellington Arch'. The post was written by digitisation volunteer John Ramsey, and was first published on 23 August 2018. The audio version is also read by John.
In this blog, John is prompted by a nineteenth-century Conway Library photograph of Hyde Park Corner to examine the history of one of London's landmarks, and the Wellington statue that once had pride of place upon it.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2018/08/23/john-ramsey-wellington-arch/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Sharing and Caring. Beautiful Damaged Negatives'. The post was written by Faye Fornasier, digitisation project manager, and was first published on 10 July 2017. The audio version is read by Elena Vardon.
In this blog, Faye discusses the effect of time and temperature variation on some of Anthony Kersting's negatives. The digitisation process will capture the details of the negatives, from cracks to speckles, to dream-like clouding. Can we see beauty in the damage?
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/07/10/beautiful-damaged-negatives/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Agnes Conway 1885–1950'. The post was written by John Ramsey, a digitisation project volunteer, and was first published on 20 March 20. The audio version is read by Amanda Roberts.
In this blog, John delves into the memoires of Agnes Conway, daughter of Martin Conway, founder of the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Agnes was a trailblazer in many senses: founding an important women's collection in what is now the Imperial War Museum, and travelling widely visiting archaeological sites with Evelyn Radford, a friend from university, and her husband, George Horsfield.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/03/20/john-ramsey-agnes-conway-1885-1950/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Finsbury, Lubetkin’s Socialist Utopia'. The post was written by Aya Bolt, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 7 August 2019. The audio version is read by Christopher Williams.
In this blog, Aya Bolt discusses the inter-war re-design of the Spa Green Estate, Finsbury, London, by Berthold Lubetkin and his architecture firm Tecton. Photographs of the estate are held in the Conway Library at the Courtauld Institute of Art.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/08/07/aya-bolt-finbsury-lubetkins-socialist-utopia/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Kersting’s Modern Quirks – A Visual Essay'. The post was written by Verity Babbs, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 19 July 2019. Verity also reads the audio version. Originally published as a visual essay, Verity has added audio description to the images.
In this blog, Verity compares photographs by Anthony Frank Kersting with contemporary artworks. Kersting's photographic negatives and prints are held in the Conway Library collection at the Courtauld Institute of Art.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/07/19/verity-babbs-kerstings-modern-quirks-a-visual-essay/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Winning And Losing – Photographs Of Works Of Art'. The post was written by Lara Drew, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 3 April 2020. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Fran Nardone.
In this blog, Lara considers the cultural effect of reproducing works of art in photographs: can a photograph truly capture a work of art in a satisfactory way? And when can a photograph tell us more than the original artwork as it now exists?
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/04/03/lara-drew-winning-and-losing-in-photographs-of-works-of-art/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Catching The Photographer'. The post was written by Isabella Lill, who did a student placement with the digitisation project, and was first published on 2 August 2019. The audio version is read by digitisation volunteer Anna Thompson.
In this blog, Isabella discusses the questions raised by catching glimpses of photographers in the Conway Library. Most photos in the collection focus on architecture and art. Yet, from time to time, we are reminded of the people who made the library what it is, as we spot them in reflections or shadows. These moments call to our attention the constructed nature of the photograph: photos do not merely represent reality in a neutral way.
You can find the written version on our blog, http://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2019/08/02/isabella-lill-catching-the-photographer/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'A Sculpture in Canterbury Cathedral'. The post was written by John Ramsey, a digitisation project volunteer, and was first published on 17 April 2020. John also read the audio version.
In this blog, John discusses possible meanings in a curious 11th-century carving on a pillar in Canterbury Cathedral crypt. What are we to make of the strange animals and their musical instruments?
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2020/04/17/john-ramsey-a-sculpture-in-canterbury-cathedral/
This is the audio version of the blog post 'Camera, Obscured: The Fine Art Photography Of Paul Laib'. The post was written by Mary Caple, a digitisation project volunteer, and was first published on 16 August 2017. The audio version is read by Anna Thompson.
In this blog, Mary explains the process of putting together an exhibition of photographs from the Paul Laib collection, held at the Courtauld Institute of Art.
You can find the written version on our blog, https://blog.courtauld.ac.uk/digitalmedia/2017/08/16/cameraobscured/