Shelf Life
« back to All BlogsBy Debbie Hagan
Anne Krinsky, acrylic and mixed media, Shelf Life
Let's face it, Kindles and iPads cannot replace the printed book--no matter how hard electronic manufacturers tell us otherwise. Artist, writer, and book lover Anne Krinsky reminded me of this at the opening of her show Shelf Life, inspired by printed books, some from the Groton Public Library, where this small, inspirational show takes place.
"In this age of digital media, the installation celebrates the physicality of the book and highlights the historic and artistic value of printed materials," writes Krinsky in a statement about this show.
Printed books not only hold within their evocative covers rich mysteries, but offer the weight and physicality that often provide substance. I've yet to see an electronic device that can accurately capture the richness of a book's embossing, gilding, and illustrating, let alone the resonant smell of the paper, leather, and dust that in an instant takes many of us back to a time in which we've curled up with a book, sailing the seas of our imaginations.
Anne Krinsky, Shelf Life Medusa, acrylic and acrylic transfer on panel
A wall displaying white shelves holding 12" x 9" mixed media panels, approximately the size of books, form the heart of this show. Sumptuously layered, some with transfers, these panels are painted and sanded so eloquently that viewers instinctively move up close, as they would with books, to examine their complexities. In a way, it prompts a sort of reading.
Krinsky explains, older panels include botanical images she made, while living in London, responding to rare illustrated manuscripts in the Natural History Museum. In her newer panels, she drew inspiration from the Groton Library's collection, such as those related to the elm trees that used to arch over the town's streets before succumbing to Dutch elm disease.
Anne Krinsky, Shelf LIfe Calligraphy, acrylic and acrylic transfer on panel
Krinsky grew up around books; her parents owned a book store. She read every fairy tale that she could find in the shop and in her public library. These mutlicultural myths and fantasies inform her work, most obviously in Medusa.
Anne Krinsky, Shelf Life Chamomile, acrylic and acrylic transfer on panel
The question Krinsky poses to viewers is, "In the digital age, is the physical fact of a book or artwork still something to value?" For me, it's a knee-jerk yes, as I suspect it is for others my age and for those seeing this show. Shelf life gives us a moment to pause and consider the tangible beauty of print.
Anne Krinsky's installation, Shelf Life, is up now in the Owen Smith Shuman Gallery at the Groton Public Library, 99 Main Street in Groton, Massachusetts, through November 5, 2011.
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| Posted by: Comunio On: Oct 26, 2011 3:14 pm |
| BION I'm ipmrseesd! Cool post! |
| Posted by: Bones On: Oct 22, 2011 4:06 pm |
| Directions to the Groton Public Library: 495 to exit 32/ Route 119 towards Groton Heading towards Groton, the library is on the left hand side in downtown Groton, 99 Main Street. Drive past the library on your left and turn left onto Broadmeadow Road. Take your first left onto the road behind the library and you will see the parking lot on your left. The Owen Smith Shuman Gallery is on the 2nd floor. When leaving, turn left out of the parking lot and then right onto route 119, back out to 495. www.gpl.org Deborah Santoro Curator Owen Smith Shuman Gallery Groton Public Library |
| Posted by: Deborah Santoro On: Oct 11, 2011 9:35 am |
| Nice write-up, Anne, by Debbie about the show. Glad I got to see similar work at Simmons. I still love real books, too! Nan Tull |
| Posted by: Nan Tull On: Oct 9, 2011 10:36 am |
| Hi Ann The work looks really intriguing and beautiful which makes me want to see it close up and hold it. There is no question that the physical tactile experience of looking at a work of art and also reading a book is still a requrement for my total visual and mental understanding. Lets hope that we don't all loose this to the virtual world. |
| Posted by: Alexa Kleinbard On: Oct 4, 2011 7:57 pm |
| hi Anne, I haven't seen the exhibition yet. I wonder if you might be able to forward a set of very easy directions for driving there. As soon as my headlight gets repaired, I'll be good to go. The work looks great and makes me want to see the tangible, real things, of course. Just like the real books compared to reading the digital version. Will you be out there giving a talk or have I missed that? It would be great to see you too. Best regards, Linda |
| Posted by: Linda Lichtman On: Oct 3, 2011 10:22 am |
| Anne Krinsky asks the question, ''... is the physical fact of a book or artwork still something to value?'' As an author, I have to say my answer is a resounding yes! I only wish I lived nearby, so I could step closer and ''read'' Anne's lovely, complex, evocative images. |
| Posted by: Deborah Sharp On: Oct 3, 2011 10:05 am |
| Hi Anne, My favorite one shown here is Shelf Life Medusa". I so agree with you statement about why the physicality of books cannot be replaced. Books are so much more than information or printed text. I'll forward this to my cousin and his wife who live in West Groton. They have a factory there called Carver's Guild. Carol Canner went to RISD in painting and has designed their mirrors for 40 years or more. Thanks, by the way, for returning my book!! I hope you have a great response at the lGroton Library. Best, Karen |
| Posted by: Karen Moss On: Oct 3, 2011 9:51 am |
