Ancient Marks by Chris Rainier

02Jul09

Review by Walter Pomeroy,  Dubois Library volunteer since 1999.

Rainier, Chris. Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking, Media 27, 2004.

“This book transported me back to Junior High School where I first discovered the National Geographic Magazine. The exotic and erotic photos were an eye opener for a teenage boy in the 40’s! It is not surprising that Rainer has worked with the National Geographic.

This is much more than a book of tattooed people. It is a sociological tour of the world, seeking out the ancient customs of body markings, including a world map of the countries visited. In Rainier’s photos we meet compelling individuals who happen to have body markings or piercing. Some are so beautiful, that at first you do not notice the markings. Like the Ukasa mistress on page 128/129, whose delicate curved backside captures your eye before you notice her full body tattoos. Or the Tahitian youth on page 120 who looks like he could stand astride an ocean. Again you have to look very close to see the lace like tattoos. I do not want togive the reader the impression that all is light and beauty in the book. There are some disturbing images that might offend some viewers. I found the book interesting enough to buy it for myself. The soft bound edition comes with a twelve minute DVD travelogue of Rainier and his travels.

This book is in the Dubois Library Collection and is also available for purchase at the Museum Store.

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Who said kids couldn’t visit the library?

13May09

Imagine the scenario : you had planned to do this research on your favorite photographer for 2 months already. You realize 30 minutes before the appointment that your nanny won’t be able to attend to the needs of your offspring… Should you cancel again? Should you just drop your class?

The Dubois Library is thrilled to present the Kids’ Corner, an area entirely dedicated to youngsters from 3 to 10 years old. With more than a hundred books, little Billy will now spend hours juggling between William Wegman’s abecedary, a Digital Photography Guide for kids, or an early edition of the Cat in the Hat Beginner Books. Meanwhile, you can finish up this paper on Ansel Adams, or polish your knowledge about daguerreotypes.

The Kids’ Corner is also open to any kid between the age of 10 and 107.

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Research Guides on Lou Stoumen & Edward Curtis

05Mar09

Staff and volunteers of the Dubois Library are relentlessly pursuing the goal to give patrons the best research atmosphere possible. Our latest accomplishment is the creation of a Research Guide Series. These research guides, also known as pathfinders, outline various resources available for use in the library relating to specific topics or individual photographers. For a .pdf version of these research guides, click Research on the header toolbar or follow the links bellow. Among the existing topics covered (or to be coming soon):

- Lou Stoumen

- Edward Curtis

- Children’s art books on photography

- Ansel Adams

- Diorama in Photography

- Contemporary Photography in California

- Japanese Photographers

Picture: Lou Stoumen, Time Square in the Rain, New York, 1940. © MoPA

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Tags: Edward Curtis, Lou Stoumen, Research Guide

New Library Schedule

18Feb09

The library is now available to our members on a walk-in basis Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m!
We are also open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 5pm by appointment only.
The Library is closed for major holidays.

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Books about Movies

14Jan09

Ever wondered what Film Noir is all about? How to make a documentary? Do you want to know everything about Iranian Cinema? Or learn more about Shirley Temple?

Come to the Dubois Library, browse through our Cinema section and come upon the fascinating history of the 7th Art!

Also, keep an eye on current and future film programs at MoPA!

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New MoPA Publication in the Library

06Jan09

Now available in the Dubois Library : Nancy Newhall Exhibition Catalog!

Based on MoPA’s blockbuster exhibition: Nancy Newhall, A Literacy of Images, this publication is the first comprehensive survey of Nancy Newhall, a prolific writer and major contributor to the history of photography. During the first half of the twentieth century, Newhall helped define photography and was one of the first to write about visual literacy- the importance of reading images and how text can change their meaning. Using her skills as designer, editor and collaborator, Nancy Newhall helped shape the concept of the modern photographic book. A Literacy of Images celebrates the 100th anniversary of her birth, exhibiting her photographs (many for the first time) and the work of her circle of friends, including well-known photographers such as Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, Helen Levitt and Edward Weston.

This volume is also available for purchase from the Museum Store.

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Nancy Newhall Display Case

02Sep08

Picture: Library Volunteer, David Johns, preparing the display case that will be set up in MoPA Atrium by September, the 20th (official day of Nancy Newhall, A Literacy of Images exhibition opening).

The Dubois Library houses many publications, both books and periodicals, written and/or edited by Nancy Newhall. These include seminal books about photographers such as Ansel Adams, P.H. Emerson, Paul Strand and Edward Weston, whom Newhall brought to greater visibility and recognition as artists.

There are also numerous articles representing her skills as an art critic, writer, curator and promoter of photography as a fine art. These date from the 1930’s, e.g., Magazine of Art, include the critical first issues of Aperture (for which she was a founding member), the 1950’s and continue through the 1960’s, e.g., Modern Photography, up to her untimely death in 1974, e.g., Afterimage.

In addition, the Library has large holdings of the various monographs and publications of the very photographers for whom Newhall advocated.

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Tags: display case, Nancy Newhall

Already 3 Years!

29May08

The Edmund L. and Nancy K. Dubois Library is celebrating the 3rd anniversary of its official opening this week!

For this occasion the Library would like to thank patrons, volunteers and staff that have made it possible! Thank you for transforming this empty space (left hand side) into the  library as we know it today.

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Grant recipient

09Apr08

The Library has been selected as a recipient of the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf and has received a set of 17 books related to museum collections care and management. These books are situated on the Library Programs Resource Shelf and are available for browsing on site.

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Tags: bookshelf, grant, library

Portraits by Loretta Lux

10Jan08

The Dubois Library, the largest photography library in San Diego County, owes part of its success to the generous donations made through its wishlist on amazon.com.
One of the month’s most recent gifts is this hardcover book featuring child portraits by German artist Loretta Lux. After a glance through the pages, this stunning-looking collection of images communicates an intriguing expressionless beauty as every child is depicted flawless but without a smile. Leaf through the book again and you will not be able to put it down.
Call the library today to set up an appointment! More than 14,000 other monographs are expecting you!

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Tags: Amazon Wishlist, book, Loretta Lux