Elliptical Reading is an activation of a library in each city of the British Art Show 9 tour 2021-22. It is a regular reading group in a library for readers to to share short sections from their favourite books, generating between them an unruly text or word collage which builds over time. Library visitors can find books which have been chosen by local readers, re-bound by the artist, and re-shelved by the readers in new places outside their usual categories. An insight into the reader’s choice is included on a bookmark in each book. Images of the readers’ hands are embossed on new bindings for their chosen volumes, replacing the titles, and are also seen in the windows of the library, connecting the library interior to the outside world. Commissioned as part of British Art Show 9 in partnership with Aberdeen City Libraries, Wolverhampton Libraries, Manchester Poetry Library, and the Cottonian Library, Plymouth.

Library maps and guides can be downloaded here.