V&A Print Room
This is a post from the weareoca.com archive. Information contained within it may now be out of date.
On Friday 19 April, tutor Rob Bloomfield will be hosting a study visit to the V&A Print Room. This is a fantastic and unique resource and is perfectly complemented by the permanent display of V&A photography which is a window on the history of photography from Daguerre onwards. Working with a small group of students Rob will explore how understanding where photography has come from can influence where students take there own work.
This is a pilot activity and if successful may be repeated. There are nine places available and if more than nine students put their names forward by 27 March, places will be allocated by lottery. Places are free to current students, to request a place email enquiries@oca-uk.com [This study visit is now fully booked. It may be repeated in the future]
Image Credit: Robert Frank, London Street, 1951, V&A Collection
22 thoughts on “V&A Print Room”
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Hope I’m not too late for this as I’ve just read the announcement and sent off my request for a place, but knowing how fast they go you can’t guarantee a place these days.
Eddy, hope you get in—then you can tell all at the next Thames Valley meet. I’m jealous—but I have to work that day! Reckon it will be brilliant and well worth the time!
Vicki, I wonder what is the study visit is set up. If not, I can try video again. Oh well, let’s see if I survive the lottery.
Made it and I’ll try to remember enough for Thames Valley day…….. The day after!
Brilliant—enjoy!
It would be really good if this does get filled up and can be repeated.
Not a day I can make but would have definitely come as the V+A print room is a photographic jewel in the capital and accessible.
I guess this day will in part be seeing photographic originals of images one usually only sees in books or online … there is a significant difference!
looks good but sadly will also be working……
Sounds fab, would love to come but unfortunately am thwarted by the cost of train fares. I look forwards to hearing how it goes though
How annoying! i have been looking forward to going on one of these visits to the V&A,only to find this time it will be held on
a friday when i will be working.Even more annoying is the fact that this is the kind of photography that i love,well maybe next time.
Frustrating—but not annoying. I think we have to be aware of the fact that the constraints of the V&A and the availability of tutors directs the decisions.
Tom, we tried for a Saturday but unfortunately the print rooms don’t accept groups on Saturdays.
Last year I spent a couple of days in the V&A print room, looking at linoprints because I was studying that in my printmaking course. Not only is their collection of prints amazing, the staff there were wonderfully helpful. It’s a gem of a place for studying prints!
That’s a useful thing to know since I’m studying both printmaking and photography.I shall go & look at the lino prints right after the study visit (I feel really lucky to have had my name drawn).Thanks Jennifer.
As I understand, the print room is open and once can visit quite easily … I find it helpful to view original prints !
Oh dear I’ve missed this one (bad back injury has put a lot on hold for a month) but would be very interested if there are further visits. Will go separately anyway but it’s always good to go with a group as you get so much more from it. I am sure it will be a great visit and it would be good to see an update on it for those of us who cannot go.
Many thanks to Rob and fellow students for another excellent study visit. It was a great learning experience. Being able to hold original prints by Atget, Frederick Evans, Ansel Adams, H C-B et al is quite a special experience. You get so much more from being able to see the prints without glass and frames and really close.
If possible I would like to suggest that this visit is repeated at regular intervals so that new students can attend. I am sure that other attendees will agree that it is a really useful resource and that they got a lot form the day. I don’t know if the National Media Museum in Bradford is open to group visits but it would be good to do some non-London ones also if possible.
Thanks Eileen – I agree it should be a regular ‘first term’ thing – if we had terms at the OCA!
Many thanks for organizing this study visit. I didn’t know this type of resources are available in the past, so it is definitely an eye opener. I will keep these print rooms resources in mind for future research and study.
As promised, here is the quick post for this study visit in my blog.
http://illustration-sip.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/oca-study-visit-v-print-room.html
Thanks for the link Siegfried – good questions about the archive and the museum. I also had a few questions about the selections in the boxes. At least they could change them around occasionally! However its worth remembering that the boxes we viewed are just intended as an introduction, the proper way to use the archive is to call up what you want to see from the online catalogue, which you can do before you visit or while you’re actually there.
Like the others who’ve already replied, thanks for your leadership on this Rob and it certainly was an eye opener as to what resources are there when you’re made aware of them. A great visit and so, so worthwhile. My write up about the day is here
http://lerpysphotographylogs.wordpress.com/v-a-print-room-study-day/
Thanks for the link to your blog post Eddy, a useful summary of the print room for anyone thinking of visiting for the first time.