Screenshots: The Book of Hours

Posted • filed under Resource.
   |   
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Screenshots is a regular feature by Simon Groth, highlighting a project, app, or other resource of interest.

The Book of Hours
by Lucy English

A book of hours describes an anthology of illustrated sacred and devotional texts, popular in the middle ages. Divided into the canonical hours, they contained psalms, prayers and gospel extracts and were designed not to be read in sequence, but rather to be consulted as per the calendar. These were books developed for lay people who wished to incorporate elements of monasticism into their devotional life.

The Book of Hours is an anthology of poetry films, collaborations between poet Lucy English and filmmakers from around the world. Thanks to handheld devices and the ubiquity of internet connectivity, it can be carried in a reader’s pocket and consulted at any time of the day. Divided (roughly) into the canonical hours, it serves the current film based on the time in the reader’s location. Though very much secular, the structure of The Book of Hours recalls the same contemplative mood that its sacred counterparts no doubt inspired.

Being film-based means that such contemplation can never be silent, though, and there is no option to read the texts, either independently of the films or inline as closed captions. However, this does not ultimately detract from The Book of Hours as a beautiful and reflective experience. Its navigation and design are never intrusive and the poems are well matched to the accompanying visuals.

 

https://thebookofhours.org

Simon Groth is a writer and editor whose works include Infinite Blue (with Darren Groth) and Hunted Down and Other Tales (with Marcus Clarke). He currently completing work on Ex Libris, a novel where every copy contains a unique order of chapters.

Related posts

Screenshots: Writing With Machine Learning
Screenshots is a regular feature by Simon Groth, highlighting a project, app, or other resource of interest. Writing with Machine Learning By Robin Sloan Robin Sloan...
The New Publisher: Penned in The Margins
The publishing industry has undergone many changes over the last few years, many of which can be attributed to the disruptions brought about by digital technologies. Alongside the ...
Immersive Writing Lab Series #4: Audience User-Journeys
If you’re a writer interested in finding out more about immersive entertainment – discovering how your audiences can be immersed and play an active part in your story – then we hav...
Screenshots: Generation Loss
Screenshots is a regular feature by Simon Groth, highlighting a project, app, or other resource of interest. Generation Loss (after Alvin Lucier) By Pascalle Burton Pasc...
Screenshots: Frankenbook
Screenshots is a regular feature by Simon Groth, highlighting a project, app, or other resource of interest. Frankenbook By Mary Shelley, et. al.   That this...
Screenshots: Paige and Powe
Screenshots is a regular feature by Simon Groth, highlighting a project, app, or other resource of interest. Paige and Powe By David Thomas Henry Wright On first sig...