Mantel - 3 | margaret-gest

Testimonials of "From the Ashes"

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"The use of the mantlepiece in the Philips Wing – a kind of dead space that's often concealed by projector screens – makes me appreciate the history and strangeness of the space in a new way. The display of the backside of the framed painting, with the handwritten message on the back, is really interesting. It brings to the fore the physicality of these works of art, which often seem to exist in a kind of abstract, theoretical state."

-Daniel Burger-Lenehan

This page is a collection of the photographs from the walk through as well as a collection of the comments of the exhibit. These comments highlight the significance of the exhibits to the library staff.

images provided by photographer Brad Larrison:

"What's compelling about this piece is that it not only brings out the domestic scene, but the exhibit overlooks the Gest center. It's as if the pieces of Gest are relating with the Gest building. Additionally, hiding the picture through displaying the back plays on the idea of the visible in conversation with the not-so-visible."

-Bruce Bumbarger

"This piece brought to light the hearth of the room. It gave the room the possibility of domesticity. The introduction of the painting transforms the space into something that’s lived in."

-Jeremiah Mercurio

"I never noticed that there was a fireplace until the exhibit. Typically, the eye is trained to see what is useful. Displaying the picture on the mantel evoked the potential for the feeling of intimacy and home in the room. Additionally, flipping the frame called into question the use of art as an item for public consumption vs decorating and family gatherings. In terms of the library, the installation made me think about how the library is a space for research but also human connection."

-Charlie McNabb