ANTARCTICA - Passion and Obsession
Emperor penguins and chick Image © Pat & Rosemarie Keough |
Throughout Spring Quarter 2008,
For more information about the Keoughs and their project, visit their web site at
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Contents: The Tome and Photography | Natural Environment | Lectures | The Cause | Library Resources |
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Internationally acclaimed photographers and book artists Pat and Rosemarie Keough spent a decade creating ANTARCTICA, a luxurious 27-pound tome considered by critics to be among the finest photography books of the modern era. In addition to the Keoughs’ vivid photography, the book was bound by hand using antique bookbinding traditions. From the Keoughs' website: "ANTARCTICA is a portfolio of stunning imagery, and a cerebral journey that tantalizes all senses, evoking the sting of ice crystals on one's face, the clamour and odour of penguin colonies, and the vulnerability of man in the immensity of this majestic yet unforgiving wilderness…. Our photographs, many of which we composed together using one camera on one tripod, reflect our shared emotional response to what could easily be construed as overwhelming stimulus." For this body-of-work, which encompasses landscapes, seascapes, ice, snow, wildlife, 'the hand of man,' abstracts and realism, the Keoughs have received 23 prestigious international awards for excellence in photography, book arts, design, and printing. "This book is a rare work of art indeed. ...The Keoughs' unbridled
perfectionism has produced a volume of jaw-dropping beauty and craftsmanship."
Western Libraries has acquired the book ANTARCTICA, by Pat and Rosemarie Keough, and made it part of the Libraries’ Rare Book Collection. The purchase was made possible through generous support from the Provost’s Office, the Deans of the Colleges, and donors to the Western Libraries. This magnificent tome with its 336 stunning images, copy 405 of a limited signed edition of 950, will be on display during the exhibit, accompanied by its custom-made African mahogany display stand. |
ANTARCTICA, the tome Image © Pat & Rosemarie Keough |
Crystal Sound Image © Pat & Rosemarie Keough |
The Keoughs' work, which captures the rare beauty of Antarctica's mountains,
glaciers and wildlife, is the result of two austral summers spent on the
Antarctic continent. "It is the coldest, the windiest and the most isolated of the seven continents, as well as the highest and the driest. Antarctica, a desert, ironically has over 70 percent of the world’s freshwater locked up by ice and snow in a great polar ice cap which smothers nearly the entire landscape. The very whiteness of this continent reflects the sun’s warming rays, thus perpetuating its frozen state in spite of the fact that in summer Antarctica is the sunniest continent on earth.” The Keoughs portray the “white continent” as a place of magnificent color. They have captured the myriad shades of white, blue, pink, purple, gold, and even green—colors which change throughout the long days at the whim of the weather and with the angle of the sun. |
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Pat and Rosemarie Keough have shared their experiences with enthusiastic audiences of scientists, students, artists, bibliophiles, explorers, and businessmen and women around the world in the South Pacific, Middle East, Europe, United Kingdom and North America. The Keoughs' main lecture at Western Washington University focused on the continent of Antarctica and details about the book’s photography and the process of bringing the project to fruition. They included slide images from the book accompanied by Vangelis’ musical composition “Antarctica.” This was an incredible multimedia presentation and gave insight into the creative journey that has resulted in the tome ANTARCTICA: the photography, the book arts, and the frozen continent. The Keoughs graciously presented two additional lectures focused on environmental, art, and photography topics to interested students, faculty, staff and the larger community. Stunning imagery, passionate speakers, amazing polar experiences - these were extraordinary events. All who attended were transported to Antarctica, a continent of superlatives. |
The Keoughs in a crevasse Image © Pat & Rosemarie Keough |
Albatross in the rain Image © Pat & Rosemarie Keough |
Together the Keoughs photographed, authored, designed, and published ANTARCTICA, the first book in their “Explorer Series,” and the product of their 24-month sojourn exploring the Antarctic’s polar plateau, mountainous coasts, and icy seas. In keeping with the mission of the series to create beautiful books while assisting environmental and social causes, Pat and Rosemarie Keough have pledged all profits to international albatross conservation programs to help reverse the precipitous decline in the world’s population of albatrosses and large petrels. Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan has personally autographed every copy on behalf of Birdlife International’s Save the Albatross Campaign. |
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http://www.keough-art.com. We gratefully acknowledge Rosemarie and Pat Keoughs' generosity in allowing us to share their stunning images and evocative words in our promotional materials and resource guide. |
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Antarctica: Resources from Western Libraries This guide, compiled in conjunction with ANTARCTICA - Passion and Obsession, points to resources available from Western Libraries to help students and others with their research into topics inspired by the exhibition. The guide's focus is on major themes suggested by the Keoughs' project on Antarctica: environment and geology, discovery and exploration, birds and marine mammals, and the arts of photography and bookmaking. The emphasis is on selected reference sources and also includes some seminal and recent works, article databases, journals, videos, and children's literature. Citations link to bibliographic records in the online catalog to verify item location and availability. Martha Mautino
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