Visionary Artist-Librarian Collaboration Yields Exquisite, Rare Book Set

Four contemporary artists have teamed up with librarians from the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library to create a collection of books that are both volumes of important research and beautiful works of art. Theorema Editions, the newest imprint of Toronto-based non-profit publisher Public Access (est. 1986), is pleased to announce the imminent release of ARCANA: Volume One. Propelled by the vital process of collaboration, Theorema Editions is the brainchild of artist and founding editor of PUBLIC, Christine Davis.

Oct. 3, 2025

Viewing and Launch Party: Friday October 24th, 6–7pm

Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library (120 St. George St., 2nd floor)

Free and open to the public

Remarks and discussion at 6:30, with project creators and select participating artists

Also on View

The Canadian debut of The Elements (Knowledge of Life) by Christine Davis, a unique 144-page artist’s book that literally and figuratively unfolds across disciplines, geographies, and histories. Employing precision collage and layering techniques on an original 1847 edition of Euclid’s foundational geometric treatise by Oliver Byrne, which uses colour to explain mathematical concepts, Davis places the revolutionary impact of the printing press in dialogue with today’s algorithmic transformation of knowledge. Installed like an extended chromosome, the 90 ft. artist’s book will be on view in its entirety within the library seminar room. Davis’s book marks the first installation project hosted by the library. Not to be missed!

ARCANA: Volume One seeks to collapse traditional boundaries between art making and archiving. Bringing together artists and writers from Canada and the United States with rare book and special collection librarians from the Fisher, ARCANA is an inspiring example of what can happen when historical collections are reanimated and traditional boundaries between disciplines dissolve and coalesce.

The Fisher is the largest rare books and special collections library in Canada, holding over 800,000 volumes of books and 5,000 metres of archival manuscripts, with materials ranging from a 1789 BCE Babylonian cuneiform tablet to books and manuscripts published this year. With the librarians as their expert tour guides, artists had a unique level of access to the Fisher’s holdings and drew out incredible finds from its remarkable range of subjects

and deep collections.

Four books were created through these collaborations:

WAABAZII—Maria Hupfield (Wasauksing First Nation) and Canadiana Librarian Grant Hurley explore Anishinaabeg iconography of the swan (waabazii), its (mis)treatment in colonial text and image, and new futures for swannish memory in the library.
Scribbles, Comments, and Codes: The Marginalia of Marshall McLuhan—Thyrza Nichols Goodeve and Special Collections and Outreach Librarian John Shoesmith dive into the prophetic value of note-giving and taking in Marshall McLuhan’s personal library of 4,500 books.
Álvaro Retana: The Most Beautiful Writer in the World—Jarrett Earnest and Rare Books and Special Collections department head David Fernández recoup the neglected brilliance of one of Spanish Literature’s preeminent gay authors of erotic fiction.
Snakes in the Library—Diane Borsato teamed up with History of Science and Medicine Librarian Alexandra K. Carter to create a visual map that reveals how serpents permeate our past.

Now Accepting Pre-Sales

To place an order, visit: publicjournal.ca/product/arcana

Concept and Project Lead: Christine Davis

Co-creators: Anna Kovler and John Shoesmith

Design: Hahn Studio

Project Management: Erika Biddle

This project is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the University of Toronto’s Chief Librarian Innovation Award.