Past Programs
Design - 2007
Arthur Boyd's artist book: Sangkuriang, a mythical Indonesian story
23/07/2007
Sangkuriang is a collaborative work between Indra Deigun and Arthur Boyd, who created swirling, magical images to accompany this mythical Indonesian story about volcanoes and strange, unearthly creatures. It was printed in 1993 and is in the State Library of Queensland artist book collection.
The Book Show's Sarah L'Estrange spoke to librarian Helen Cole about this book, which is one of her most treasured items in the collection.
Australian illuminated manuscripts
03/07/2007
The heyday of illuminated manuscripts was in the middle ages. But, did you know there is a tradition of illuminated books in Australia and that works by Henry Lawson, AB Patterson and Ogilvie have been given this ornate treatment?
The State Library of Queensland has a collection of exquisite Australian illuminated books on display in the Talbot Family Treasures Wall at the moment.
For the Book Show, Sarah L'Estrange spoke to the exhibition conservator about some of her favourite exhibits. Rhiannon Walker starts with the Australian history of illluminated books.
Judging a book by its cover
24/06/2007
Do you ever wonder how much thought writers give to the way their books are packaged, especially the covers of the books? Tim Parks, our Italian scribe, has given this subject quite a lot of thought.
Judging a book by its cover
21/06/2007
Do you ever wonder how much thought writers give to the way their books are packaged, especially the covers of the books? Tim Parks, our Italian scribe, has given this subject quite a lot of thought.
Judging a book by its cover
26/04/2007
How many love affairs with a book begin with that first glance at the cover? A book jacket can lure us in; the images, colours, even typeface speaking a subliminal language which engages the reader and suggests the pleasures that lie within.
Within the specialised world of book designers, New Yorker Chip Kidd is an acknowledged master. He's been called everything from the Elvis of the industry to a 'design demigod' and he's currently in Australia speaking at various design events around the country.
He's created covers for a long list of contemporary authors including William Boyd, John Updike, Michael Crichton and Peter Carey.
For the Book Show, he spoke to Radio National's Annie Hastwell about the relationship between author and designer.
A big book about apples
26/03/2007
In Australia, apples are almost synonymous with Tasmania, and now a book on its contribution to agricultural history has won the University of Tasmania's prize for Best Book by a Tasmanian Publisher—awarded as part of the Tasmanian Book Prize celebrations. The book is called The Art of Apple Branding: Australian Apple Case Labels and the Industry since 1788. It's a gorgeous production, highlighting the rich and colourful artwork that adorned apple boxes and labels as far back as 1788.
Chris Cowles, the co-author of this prize-winning book joins us to discuss the production of this book which became a labour of love.
The art of Factory Records
16/03/2007
Many of you (those who were growing up in the 1970s and 80s) will have found it hard to avoid the music that emerged from the northern English town of Manchester. Bands like Joy Division and New Order and The Happy Mondays were part of a musical, and artistic, revolution from the late 70s through to the early 90s. The focus and perhaps the origin of this revolution (and the subject of a funny, chaotic film a few years ago called 24 hour party people) was Factory Records and a nightclub called The Hacienda.
Tony Wilson was the person with the vision of a record label without contracts, and where the art on the record cover was as important as the music. Initially, he teamed up with Alan Erasmus and sole designer Peter Saville, and together they forged an approach to the music business that set the world alight.
A decade and a half after the label folded in the early 90s, an Australian academic, graphic designer and Factory music fan, Matthew Robertson, has written and compiled Factory Records: the complete graphic album.
Radio National's Tim Ritchie spoke to Matthew Robertson on a return trip to Australia a few months ago and asked him how he and his partner's appreciation for Manchester's music and design turned into a book.
