Black Bob thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the National Art Library

Black Bob

Artist's Book
1989 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This work by Colin Sackett marked the beginning of a continuing project of work concerned with an exploration of the 'direction' of reading

'Black Bob' comprises sixty-three double page spreads of an identical black and white image of a shepherd, a sheep-dog, a sheep and a flowing river in the background. The work is entirely visual, resembling a flip book. The sense of movement within the image (wherever it is first encountered) leads the reader to expect that there will be a development over the series of images, perhaps in the form of a picture story. This expectation is soon thwarted however as it becomes apparent through flipping back and forth that all the images are in fact the same.

'Black Bob' was made with the intention of investigating these expectations and reflexes, examining the notion of how to 'read' a book.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBlack Bob
Materials and techniques
Printed book
Brief description
Artist's book, 'Black Bob', by Colin Sackett, Cracle, 1989
Physical description
Artist's book consisting of one image (covering one opening) repeated 63 times. On the back cover the title information is printed in reverse.

126 pages.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18cm
Summary
This work by Colin Sackett marked the beginning of a continuing project of work concerned with an exploration of the 'direction' of reading

'Black Bob' comprises sixty-three double page spreads of an identical black and white image of a shepherd, a sheep-dog, a sheep and a flowing river in the background. The work is entirely visual, resembling a flip book. The sense of movement within the image (wherever it is first encountered) leads the reader to expect that there will be a development over the series of images, perhaps in the form of a picture story. This expectation is soon thwarted however as it becomes apparent through flipping back and forth that all the images are in fact the same.

'Black Bob' was made with the intention of investigating these expectations and reflexes, examining the notion of how to 'read' a book.
Other number
X900230 - NAL Pressmark
Collection
Library number
38041990048688

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 13, 2014
Record URL
Download as: JSON