Exhibit unveils rare literary pieces
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By: Alyssa Griffith, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: Arts
Some of UNC's oldest treasures will be brought off the locked shelves of Wilson Library and into the spotlight today.
"A Being More Intense: British Romantic Writers in the Rare Book Collection," an exhibit which will feature literature and art from the British romantic era, will give students and community members alike the chance to see rare pieces by often-anthologized authors and artists.
The exhibit, which will feature authors such as William Blake, Lord Byron and John Keats, will make its debut at the library at 6 p.m. today and remain showcased until the end of the December.
"We have an ongoing program of exhibits at the library and around campus. We work to always bring really interesting subjects into the public eye," said Judith Panitch, director of library communications. "Our libraries contain wonderful holdings. They are the real riches that we allow everyone to read, see and absorb. We're always glad to bring people in the library."
Charles McNamara, the head librarian of rare books at Wilson Library and co-curator of the exhibition, said the exhibit is vital to Wilson.
"The literature and art we are showcasing in this exhibition are a treasure trove of information and creativity. The literature is nothing less than exquisite," McNamara said.
UNC English professor Joe Viscomi will deliver a free lecture entitled "Blake's Enlightened Graphics: Illuminated Books and New Technologies" to commemorate the opening.
"I chose this lecture because it was fresh in mind," Viscomi said. "I gave it in May at the Rockefeller Study Center in Bellagio, Italy, and last year as a fellow at the National Humanities Center."
Viscomi's lecture will focus on the complex and creative works of William Blake, a prominent poet and artist of the Romantic Era.
"Joe is the ultimate William Blake aficionado," McNamara said. "There are few people that know as much information about Blake - the most important member of the writers of the Romantic era - as well as Joe."
The exhibit will also highlight pieces by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
"These select authors are unique in the special way in which they embody the ideals of the British Romantic era," Panitch said.
UNC faculty, staff and library donors have enabled the rare book collection to expand and grow over the years, and McNamara said he hopes those who visit the exhibit will recognize what the library has to offer.
"I'm looking forward to enthusiastic and continuous crowd for the next three months," McNamara said. "I want people to see the material and appreciate how strong the collections are and how great the possibilities are for future study."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
"A Being More Intense: British Romantic Writers in the Rare Book Collection," an exhibit which will feature literature and art from the British romantic era, will give students and community members alike the chance to see rare pieces by often-anthologized authors and artists.
The exhibit, which will feature authors such as William Blake, Lord Byron and John Keats, will make its debut at the library at 6 p.m. today and remain showcased until the end of the December.
"We have an ongoing program of exhibits at the library and around campus. We work to always bring really interesting subjects into the public eye," said Judith Panitch, director of library communications. "Our libraries contain wonderful holdings. They are the real riches that we allow everyone to read, see and absorb. We're always glad to bring people in the library."
Charles McNamara, the head librarian of rare books at Wilson Library and co-curator of the exhibition, said the exhibit is vital to Wilson.
"The literature and art we are showcasing in this exhibition are a treasure trove of information and creativity. The literature is nothing less than exquisite," McNamara said.
UNC English professor Joe Viscomi will deliver a free lecture entitled "Blake's Enlightened Graphics: Illuminated Books and New Technologies" to commemorate the opening.
"I chose this lecture because it was fresh in mind," Viscomi said. "I gave it in May at the Rockefeller Study Center in Bellagio, Italy, and last year as a fellow at the National Humanities Center."
Viscomi's lecture will focus on the complex and creative works of William Blake, a prominent poet and artist of the Romantic Era.
"Joe is the ultimate William Blake aficionado," McNamara said. "There are few people that know as much information about Blake - the most important member of the writers of the Romantic era - as well as Joe."
The exhibit will also highlight pieces by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
"These select authors are unique in the special way in which they embody the ideals of the British Romantic era," Panitch said.
UNC faculty, staff and library donors have enabled the rare book collection to expand and grow over the years, and McNamara said he hopes those who visit the exhibit will recognize what the library has to offer.
"I'm looking forward to enthusiastic and continuous crowd for the next three months," McNamara said. "I want people to see the material and appreciate how strong the collections are and how great the possibilities are for future study."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
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