Design: Maeve Redmond
In conjunction with her exhibition ‘A moment of darkness at noon’, Joanna Piotrowska selects three books for our Room for Reading that have influenced her practice and research in different ways. These publications and others selected by artists we work with, are available to read in our Library during exhibitions.
‘Piranesi’ by Susanna Clarke
“I read this book very recently, and I was amazed by how closely the experience of reading it aligned with the making of the new works and my growing interest in Jungian psychoanalysis.
I fell in love with the ‘beloved child of the House’ — the kind and innocent Piranesi, who has a deep and beautiful connection to the world he inhabits.
One of my favourite passages in the book reflects on the wisdom of ancient and Indigenous cultures and their way of existing in harmony with the natural world — something that has gradually been lost since the time of René Descartes and the rise of rationalist thought.”
Listen to Susanna Clarke in conversation with Madeline Miller here.
‘In Midlife’ by Murray Stein
“It has been deeply refreshing to explore the experience of midlife transition through the writing of the Jungian analyst Murray Stein. In ‘In Midlife’, the mythological figure of Hermes guides the reader through the liminal and uncertain territory of psychological transformation. The references to mythological figures help carry the reader through the denser philosophical passages of the book, while also connecting ancient myths to contemporary experiences such as alienation, burnout, and depression.
Of the three books I selected for The Common Guild library, this is the one that influenced the making of the new works most profoundly.”
‘An Alphabet for Dreamers’ by Sharon Śliwiński
“In May this year I was been invited to Milan to the conference which was concentrated on the theme of image making as a defining moment in contemporary culture. I immediately knew that I did not want to speak about photography, and that the only image-making practice that currently interests me is the process of dreaming. During my research on the subject, I came across Sharon Sliwinski and her book ‘An Alphabet for Dreamers’. The book explores the political potential of dreaming and argues that dreams are not merely private experiences, but also possess a broader social dimension.”
‘The Lathe of Heaven’ by Ursula K. Le Guin
A final recommendation from Piotrowska is Ursula K Le Guin’s 1971 science fiction novel ‘The Lathe of Heaven’. In Le Guin's book, dreams are not merely private experiences but forces that reshape reality itself. Dreams and what happens in the subconscious mind are significant in the works featured in Piotrowska’s exhibition.
Details
In conjunction with our projects, exhibitions and events, Room for Reading offers artists we work with an opportunity to contribute to The Common Guild library and share the books and resources that have influenced their artistic practice.
Every artist’s selection is added to The Common Guild’s expansive reference library of artist books, catalogues, and cultural and critical theory.
Visit
Visit our Library space Thursday-Saturday, 12–5pm while exhibitons are open.
