The Courtauld Digital Media Blog

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/