Toronto Artist Diane Borsato Unveils Limited-Edition Book ‘Snakes in the Library‘
Toronto-based artist Diane Borsato has released a new, limited-edition book, snakes in the Library, created in collaboration with History of Science and Medicine Librarian alexandra Carter. Published with meticulous care and featuring a special binding and print quality, the book explores the multifaceted presence of snakes across a surprising range of subjects within the collections of the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Collection.
Borsato’s project began with a deep dive into the Fisher’s holdings, tracing images of snakes through disciplines as diverse as zoology, medicine, religion, art, sport, cooking, travel, children’s literature, and even gay pulp fiction.The artist describes the process as a demonstration of how focusing on an “esoteric focus, and dive[ing] in deeply and sideways and wherever it takes me,” yields important learning not only about the subject itself but also its broader connections to other areas of interest.
“At the heart of the project is the idea that if I pick an esoteric focus, and dive in deeply and sideways and wherever it takes me, I learn a lot about that thing, and about the broad context of other interesting things that it is connected with,” Borsato explains. “This has been the way I have directed and energized my art practice for many years.”
The book’s limited edition and high production costs mean it is indeed a rare and expensive item, prompting Borsato to express concern that it may remain inaccessible to many. Despite this, she hopes the underlying concept - the value of deep, interdisciplinary exploration – will resonate with a wider audience.
Currently, Borsato finds solace in the changing seasons, especially the comforting ritual of tea-making and the sensory experience of citrus scents as winter approaches. She notes, “citrus is something I crave all day…it is indeed the condensed essence of sunshine, and it gets better and better all winter.” She enjoys pairings like lotus mooncake with autumn oolong, or gunpowder green with mint.
