The front cover of Catalyst magazine’s second issue caught a lot of people’s attention in and around the Library this summer. The cover image is striking in itself, but a closer look reveals that it is also a photographic transformation and merger of the Dana Porter and Davis Centre Libraries.
Created by second year Urban Planning student, Ryan Felix, the image uses photos of Porter (outer ring) and Davis (inner ring) and is appropriately called “Gears” to represent the momentum of student activity in these campus hubs. Catalyst magazine describes the image as “inspired by the perpetual activity” of these student centres that are “driven by learning and doing” – an inspiration that Ryan confirmed, adding that he’s always been “he's always been fond of libraries.”
Ryan created the image back in June using Photoshop and it made its way onto the cover of Catalyst almost by accident. Ryan explains, “I was actually working on the back cover for the Catalyst, a piece called the Universe of Waterloo ... and was unable to finish it before the deadline. So I sent "Gears" to them and they liked it so much that they wanted it to make it the cover.”
Ryan recently visited library staff members, Nancy Collins and Marian Davies, to talk about his work and share more of his UW-inspired images, including some images that he took of the campus from the upper floors of Porter. Collins and Davies were so impressed that they will be working with Ryan to coordinate an in-library exhibit of his work later this semester or next.
In the meantime, Ryan might be spotted around the libraries, snapping shots during study breaks. “I usually go to DC just for 'casual' studying with my friends, however if I really need to get my work done, nothing beats the silence in the top floors of Porter.”
For more information, contact:
Communications and Liaison Librarian
Ext. 32446
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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