At one with its subject matter, this beautiful book is an enigma. How can a story of place be brought to life so vividly yet be virtually unknown?
The coherence, depth, drama, and significance of this place is seeping out of the landscape like the fossils and minerals that inspired geologists, evolutionists, industrialists and artists. Brian Cooper gets that.
Transformation was first printed in 1983. Until he retired in 1979, Brian (I want to be on first name terms) was a history teacher in a Derbyshire comprehensive. The photos in the book, taken by his brother Neville, carry their own cultural history – blokes with comb-overs, Morris Marinas in front of factory housing.
Books like this help you grasp all that we have been. But they make me ache with frustration as well. I’ve no doubt that what happened here was incredible – I get it too, I want to share it.
But you can’t stop at knowing the past or protecting objects, buildings or even a World Heritage Site. You have to be inspired to take action by it – what are you going to do to change the world?
I’m lucky to be in Derby, here and now – we’re taking the site of the world’s first factory to inspire the next generation of makers. We’re shaping the Joseph Wright collection to show industry and Enlightenment as a template for the 21st century.
Immerse yourself in a brilliant place – Britain is full of them. If you’re lucky to find one, let a book like this be your guide.
Stuart Gillis is the head of Derby Museums
The coherence, depth, drama, and significance of this place is seeping out of the landscape like the fossils and minerals that inspired geologists, evolutionists, industrialists and artists. Brian Cooper gets that.
Transformation was first printed in 1983. Until he retired in 1979, Brian (I want to be on first name terms) was a history teacher in a Derbyshire comprehensive. The photos in the book, taken by his brother Neville, carry their own cultural history – blokes with comb-overs, Morris Marinas in front of factory housing.
Books like this help you grasp all that we have been. But they make me ache with frustration as well. I’ve no doubt that what happened here was incredible – I get it too, I want to share it.
But you can’t stop at knowing the past or protecting objects, buildings or even a World Heritage Site. You have to be inspired to take action by it – what are you going to do to change the world?
I’m lucky to be in Derby, here and now – we’re taking the site of the world’s first factory to inspire the next generation of makers. We’re shaping the Joseph Wright collection to show industry and Enlightenment as a template for the 21st century.
Immerse yourself in a brilliant place – Britain is full of them. If you’re lucky to find one, let a book like this be your guide.
Stuart Gillis is the head of Derby Museums
