Bodleian borrows 'Big Book'

Arts 20 Aug 10 The Bodleian Libraries usually asks readers not to write in library books, but this week visitors are being encouraged to grab a pen and write inside a large wooden book. 'The Big Book' is a public art installation on display in the Bodleian Library's Clarendon Quadrangle from Friday 20 August to Tuesday 24 August. The sculpture, named 'Imagine', was made from wood and canvas pages by Oxford artist Diana Bell and stands 2.2m high. Visitors are invited to write about their imaginations in the book, which will move to Bonn Square later in the year. The installation was opened on Friday by Richard Ovenden, Associate Director and Keeper of Special Collections, Bodleian Libraries. Mike Heaney, Executive Secretary at the Bodleian Libraries, said: 'When Diana Bell came to us with the idea for the 'Imagine' sculpture we could see immediately that the Bodleian Library would be an ideal setting for it. When Diana Bell came to us with the idea for the 'Imagine' sculpture we could see immediately that the Bodleian Library would be an ideal setting for it 'Diana has worked with our staff to achieve a design which captures the spirit of fine books and bindings, to magnificent effect.