IRC workshop this Friday: Photoshop I

The third workshop offered through the IRC this quarter will take place on Friday, November 16, from 3-4pm in Ellison 1811.  The topic is “Photoshop I – Simple Editing Tools and Tips for Better Digital Images.”

This workshop will cover overviews of common image file types and sizes, how to improve lighting, color and clarity, as well as simple ways to insure your metadata stays with your image. If you have a specific question or topic request, please send it to Christine (christinef-h@hfa.ucsb.edu). The IRC will offer a “Photoshop II” workshop next quarter, which will cover more advanced tools.

Expanded Archivision content now on MDID

We now have all the Archivision content that is licensed by UCSB available locally on MDID. This means you have the choice of accessing it there or through ARTstor.  Through both interfaces we now have the Base collection, plus Modules 1, 2 and 4 – a total of 34,736 high-quality images.   The content includes architecture, sculpture, public art, and architectural drawings and details from North, Central and South America, France, the UK, Greece, Austria, France, Italy, Russia, Egypt, Yemen and Turkey.  All entries include extensive data and descriptions.

Go to the Archivision site to read more about the content.  For assistance with MDID please contact the Image Resource Center staff (Jackie or Christine).

New additions to our online image collections

We’re continuing to expand our collections in MDID, and hosting more campus image collections.  We recently launched the first phase of a collection of Medieval Bibles from UCSB Library’s Special Collections.  These were digitized by Sharon Farmer of the History Department and her students.  So far there are 197 images from three volumes, with more to come.

We are also the grateful recipients of Instructional Improvement funding which will allow us to host digital collections from the Theater & Dance and Classics Departments – they should be up in the next few months and will be announced here.

In addition, we have added thousands of images to the online offerings, including over 1,000 African images (Professor Emeritus Herbert (Skip) Cole’s field slides from the 1960s and 70s).

Mona Lisa is in the building

Mona Lisa paid us a visit this morning, accompanied by a glamourous redhead.  We tried to get ML to laugh, but only got that mysterious smile in response.

Way to give 110% with the costumes, ladies!

Why a red door?

We’re settling in to our new home at Ellison, and getting to like our new red doors more and more.  Since the fire marshal required us to get a big metal door we thought the least we can do is have it painted an interesting color.  Why red?  In addition to the color having a nice tie-in to our Red Dot blog, it seems red doors have a mostly positive significance.  For example:

• A red door means Welcome according to an early American tradition.
• In Ireland a red door is meant to ward off ghosts and evil spirits.
• According to Feng Shui, a red door is the mouth through which positive energy and opportunities enter.
• In China  a red door signifies Good Luck.
• For people fleeing via the Underground Railroad a red door indicated a safe house.

One interpretation that doesn’t apply: In Scotland a red door indicates that the house is paid off and mortgage-free.  Not us!  And here’s a good red door anecdote: apparently Albert Einstein’s front door was painted red as he otherwise couldn’t recognize his house.  Welcome Professor Einstein!  And welcome to all our new neighbours and colleagues – please stop by and say hello.

The VRC’s new home and new name

As of today, August 2, the entire History of Art & Architecture Dept., including the Visual Resources Collection, has been relocated to Ellison Hall.  The VRC is still in the middle of what is a very big move, but hopefully by tomorrow the unpacking and settling in can start.

New location = new beginnings = new name – we are rebranding ourselves as The Image Resource Center. We have lots of program, training, and exhibit ideas – stay tuned for further announcements.

The bright red doors on the first floor of Ellison are the entrance to our new home.  Please come by and visit soon (and please don’t be alarmed if we don’t answer the phone or emails for a couple of days).

The VRC move has begun!

Beginning at 8:30 this morning the movers started taking out the remaining slide cabinets and light tables and many, many boxes.  We’re moving over to a new, temporary home at Ellison Hall.   Details on our new space and contact info forthcoming, along with more pictures of this gargantuan move.

New use for old slides

It’s win-win – we find a good use for all the slides we’re deaccessioning, AND generate some much-needed revenue.  And they’re super cute and functional! Now to find a way to buy that industrial sewing machine….

UCSB’s ARTstor contribution of African field slides

We’re getting closer to realizing our first big contribution to ARTstor – “Herbert Cole: African Art, Architecture, and Culture (University of California, Santa Barbara)”.   Visual Resources Collection staff have worked with ARTstor to contribute 1,026 images from “Skip” Cole’s field research in the 1960s and 70s in Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.   The collection should be fully available online in another three months. You can read more about these wonderful images here on the ARTstor news site.

Richard Ross Photography Collection Part II now in MDID

The second phase of Richard Ross’ photography is now available through the VRC image database, MDID.  This includes material from his books/projects “Man Up”, “Waiting for the End of the World” and “Suitable Placement: Juvenile Justice in America”.   This brings the total to 481 images.  You can read more about Richard and his work at his website.