Framing the ocean, 1700 to the present : envisaging the sea as social space: edited by Tricia Cusack
Ashgate Publishing, 2014
This take on the ocean seeks to investigate our changing cultural/artistic view of it from the 18th century onwards when we began to respond to it as a populated place rather than a great unknown void: “In contradistinction to conceiving of the ocean as ’empty space’, this collection of essays examines the ocean as a ‘social space’, and it does so with particular reference to how the ocean has been represented and constructed through visual art.”
The evolution of the Royal Australian Navy Band : a chromatic chronicle by Robin Himbury
Pacific Books, 2011
The author of this rather delightful history of the Royal Australian Navy Band was himself a member of the band for 9 years from 1958, so he knows his subject inside and out. Not just a dry listing of dates and names (although the date and name fetishist will not be disappointed), Robin is adept at charting both the history of the band within its larger organisation as well as dropping in entertaining anecdotes and asides wherever appropriate. As Richard Collins states in the foreword, “…an excellent historical record, and a great read.” True enough.
Star Wars storyboards : the original trilogy: edited by J.W. Rinzler
Abrams, 2014
Fascinating to see the art behind the art of a trilogy of films that redefined an entire cinematic genre. As you flick through these well filled pages you can almost hear the mighty John Williams score in the background, so closely do these storyboards follow the finished product. Fascinating and often quite beautiful.
Power to the people : the graphic design of the radical press and the rise of the counter-culture, 1964-1974: edited by Geoff Kaplan
University of Chicago Press, 2013
The sixties and early seventies pretty much redefined the look and use of graphic imagery for political, social and artistic purposes and this terrific book brings together some of the most iconoclastic and sheerly weird visuals from that era. It also serves as a remarkable visual history of the underground press during a time of ferocious social and political change.
A slightly different take on the military band, from our Picture Collection
American soldiers playing musical instruments in U.S. service bands
