Books are often seen as a very visually driven medium. Even with the emergence of audio books and e-readers, there is still a long way to go for books to be seen beyond simply their visual elements.
The Bodleian Library’s ‘Sensational Books’ exhibit is structured around the six senses – sound, sight, taste, smell, touch, and proprioception. The exhibit aims to unlock a whole new perspective towards books.
Explore how both early books and manuscripts, as well as more recent works can engage with all the senses. The exhibit uses unique and interactive elements from sound artists, tactile displays, and even a smell wall.
The exhibits are incredibly creative – get ready to learn about a book made from cheese and smell the tobacco from the fragments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s manuscript of ‘The Hobbit’.
‘Sensational Books’ provides a fascinating new viewpoint on all the different aspects of a book that go beyond traditional forms of reading.
The exhibit is free and will run until 4 December 2022.
Tours are available on 16 November and 30 November, either from: 1:15pm – 1:45pm or 2:00pm -2:30pm.
The tours include audio description and are open for all, but you do not need to book a tour to visit the exhibition. To book call 01865 277225 or email publicengagement@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
The link to the exhibit’s audio description is available here or you can scan the QR code at the entrance.
