Life Library
Client – Personal
Services – Concept development / Art direction / Spatial Design / Curation / Creative production
A capsule library of publications exploring the connections between community, land and art.
Inspired by time spent living on the farm, it was designed to provide insight into alternative existences, the beauty of natural simplicity and ancient knowledge, both through the publications and the library space itself.
The curated selection of books and zines explored themes including community, natural technologies, healing, land work, DIY culture, gathering spaces, birth and craft. Collected together, the aim was to highlight the ways in which they intersect and to encourage thinking that sees things in relation to eachother rather than in isolation.
The library was hosted within a hand built shepherds hut on a biodynamic educational farm in the South West of England, a setting that further reflected the focus on DIY culture and nature.
Designed to encourage conversation as well as support quiet contemplation and deep research, the space featured asymmetrical shelving, a woodburning stove, large window spanning the length of the space and a seating bench supported by straw bales, upholstered in a patchwork of vintage fabrics.
All senses were considered intentionally, and so visitors were surrounded by the soft sounds of the farmland, with fragrance from Compost Library x Cremate incense (notes of patchouli, cedar and pine). Teas made with herbs sourced on the land were also provided as accompaniment.
Selected publications include: Authors of the Estate, BANGER, Spiritual Midwifery, Fruits to Roots and What Problems Can Artist Publishers Solve?
Photos by Ana Clark