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• Joseph Cornell DVD-ROM and book launched

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The DVD-ROM ... transforms a user into Alice in Wonderland.
New York Times, November 2nd 2003

After more than four years development we are proud to announce that our work with the Voyager Foundation on the American artist, Joseph, Cornell, is now bearing fruit with the publication by Thames and Hudson of a DVD-ROM 'The Magical Worlds of Joseph Cornell' with its companion book 'Shadowplay...Eterniday'.

Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) created the sublime from the ordinary. In his boxes and collages, he assembled elements of popular culture, classical art and literature and obscure scientific texts, to make compelling private worlds. Although he lacked formal training, he became a celebrated figure visited by artists, prima ballerinas and poets and his work has influenced subsequent generations of Pop, Minimalist, and post-Modern artists.

The DVD-ROM provides unprecedented access to Cornell’s work including virtual hands-on access to many of his works and source material. It is a ground-breaking production for the Cognitive Applications team led by Rory Matthews and Jason Ryan, working closely with the Voyager Foundation.

Along with over 250 works by Cornell, the DVD includes 40 in-depth explorations of objects with animation, and video; audio and video interviews with those who knew Cornell; all his films; over 200 items of source material from the Joseph Cornell Study Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC - most previously unpublished, and insights into Cornell's world through a timeline of his life, family photos, papers, books, and music.

The book with illustrations of over 75 works, published by Thames and Hudson, offers expert insights and essays from Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, former director of the Joseph Cornell Study Centre, Richard Vine, managing editor of Art in America, and Robert Lehrman, a leading collector of Cornell’s work. Commentary is provided by legendary curator Walter Hopps who befriended Cornell and championed his work.

Cog App has created an astoundingly beautiful and wonderful user friendly DVD-ROM on the work of Joseph Cornell. Their art direction has been imaginative and their implementation has been exceptional. Working with them has been a pleasure and we have realized this project beyond what I had imagined.
Robert Lehrman, President Voyager Foundation

We are looking forward to further independent reviews which are expected soon.