Hello again from Ramsey Library! This month bring huge changes to the library, so don’t be alarmed when you return in and suddenly desks are missing, walls disappeared, departments relocated, and suddenly you feel the eyes of seven chancellors on your back as you walk towards the bathroom (their portraits are centrally located now, opposite our 8 views of Mt. Pisgah mural). Everything is different but rest assured it is all aimed at making our library a better resource for our UNCA students as much as possible. We in the library are here to serve and support you all, however we can. Let us know if there is something you need or a question we can help with at our front desk or instant chat with us from our homepage. That conveyed, this month’s Ramsey Staff Selections are here, despite July being inordinately popular for all of us in the library to take a break and abscond on mini vacations, or an excellent Asheville staycation in my case. Much thanks to the Ramsey Library team for stepping up and sharing your juicy, no-longer-secret selections! Here they are for July 2022:
Asheville Art Find: Julie Armbruster
Why: Julie’s art is whimsical, funny and entertaining. The creatures/animals she comes up with for her art are amazing. She is a sweet lady too. She will mix two characters together and call them some clever names. One of my favorites is the blonde fox for obvious reasons…I am blonde and my last name is Fox. LOL! Marzipan is another character…3 eyed pig. You can find her artwork on Etsy also. I think she has a place in the river arts district too where she sells her work. Neo Appalachia is her newest artwork. It has many fantastic characters.
By: Vicki Fox, Collection Development Acquisitions
See Julie’s Armbruster’s art at her website here, or regularly at Asheville’s biannual Big Crafty that Vicki Fox also recommends!
Affecting Film Find: Pig (2021)
Extract: Charlotte: [Waitress giving rote announcement that accompanies the deconstructed scallops she has just delivered in a smoke filled globe to Rob and Amir’s table] We all have a set of beliefs about the world around us. To challenge them is to acknowledge our foundation is sand, but it opens us up to something greater, to pure connection, to true life. Today’s journey begins by uniting the depths of the sea with the riches of our forests. We’ve emulsified locally sourced scallops encased in a flash-frozen seawater roe blend, on a bed of foraged huckleberry foam, all bathed in the smoke from Douglas fir cones. Rob : I’d like to speak to the chef.
Why: “Pig … is a mournful fable of loss and withdrawal, art and ambition. Told in three chapters and a string of beautifully delineated scenes, the movie flirts with several genres — revenge drama, culinary satire — while committing to none.” [source]
You may be expecting a “Cage Rager” with this one, but be warned, it surprisingly rises above cliche. Worth a watch.
By: Kevin Watson, Ramsey Library Media Design Lab
The film is available through streaming platforms but it is not part of our Kanopy collection.
Summer Heat Sweet Find: Tomato Sorbet
Why: This recipe is perfect for that bumper crop of tomatoes your garden is producing. It’s easy, no ice cream maker required and it really is delicious!
By: Barbara Svenson, Ramsey Librarian, Collection Development
Get the recipe here [also image source]
Scintillatingly Silly Space-Based Story Find: The Stars Have Eyes by Neven Iliev
Extract: “Ack,” the man winced. “Listen, before we go any further, could you tone down the special effects? It was all quite impressive at first, but now it’s just a tiny bit grating, you see.”
The Observer considered this paltry request. It very much wanted to know how this strange individual had remained so blissfully oblivious to the terrible events that had transpired around him. One option was to gaze into and dissect his thoughts directly, but mortal minds were fragile and prone to shattering before anything useful could be gleaned from them. It was possible to use more gentle and subtle methods of mental manipulation, but conversation required far less time and effort. Therefore, Magh’rathlak decided to accommodate the lesser creature. One of the larger eyes upon its formless being split open like a mouth, complete with a set of needle-like teeth.
“Very well, Joe Mulligan,” its deep voice echoed through the chamber. “I have agreed to your terms.”
Why: It’s a silly romp in space that pleasantly upends expectations, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and has really entertaining voice performances throughout. It’s not “Serious literature” but it’s wonderful and somehow moving. Be warned that it is a work in progress!
Book available exclusively here on Soundbooth Theater on a donation model [also image source]
By: Jon Morris, Ramsey Librarian, Public Services
