Art Exhibition: "Unbound--Contemporary Prints Inspired by Books"

The histories of books and printmaking are intertwined; print processes have been used for illustrations and diagrams within books beginning in the first century AD and continue today. This exhibition, however, looks at the reverse relationship and shares the work of artists who create prints inspired by the book form and often the words within. Exhibition curator Jennifer D. Anderson writes, “Many contemporary print artists have produced innovative work that focuses on the relationship between image and text as well as our evolving relationship with the codex and printed forms.” The artists in this exhibition deconstruct books, focus on their contents, and create new constructs of meaning. Nancy Jo Haselbacher’s haunting installation shares the notes and ephemera readers place within library books. Jason Urban has described his art as operating “in the hazy area between art and design.” Urban creates installations of gradient-colored relief prints, ready to be read like the daily newspaper. Justin Quinn’s prints are based on the number of vowels or words on a single page of Melville’s <em>Moby Dick</em>. Similarly, Joseph Lupo works with the formal aspects of <em>Iron Man </em>comics and painstakingly removes figures and text producing an abstract image that hints at interaction and narrative. Lesley Dill has spent her career making evocative prints inspired by the language of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. Exhibit through January 16.&nbsp;Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from Noon-5 pm, with extended evening hours on Thursday until 8 pm.