"Off the Shelf" is the brainchild of Michael Kasper, Reference Librarian and Collection Development Coordinator at Frost Library. When he came to the College, he began to use funds made available by the family of the late Marshall Bloom '66. Bloom's family donated this money for the purpose of collecting alternative media, which had been the passion of Bloom's life. In that same spirit, Kasper began to invest the money in the artistic tomes that help to make up the current "Off the Shelf" exhibit.
As you walk into the Fairchild gallery, you are struck by not only bright orange walls on two sides, but also four large panels of vibrant color. When you stroll over to these tinted squares, you realize that they are part of one of the featured books, "LAAIR." In the book, artist Bruce Nauman exhibits 10 photographs of the smog-filled sky above Los Angeles. This bold, yet simple, artwork practically draws the viewer to both the most elevated and basic levels of artistic appreciation.
Another member of the Amherst community who labored with this gallery is the Mead's new director, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Barker. As director she collaborated with Kasper in this endeavor, thinking about how to give the Amherst community "equal access" in order to "browse" the books as well as what to include and how to best portray this almost uniquely 20th-century art form. When asked about more classical or accessible art, she responded with quick narratives on precursor artists such as William Blake, the English poet, painter and printmaker, and the Spanish artist Francisco Goya, who created "dark, disturbing cartoon-like scenes." Her thought and understanding is evident in both the atmosphere and artistic make-up of "Off the Shelf."
However, some students have voiced concerns over the modernist direction of the museum's art exhibits. One first-year commented, "I don't like modern art. I think that [the museum] already has a good balance." Even with such an attitude, the viewer will be surprised to discover the historical significance and artistic import of these books. One of Kasper's favorite pieces of the show is "Ein Ghetto im Osten," a small unremarkably bound book that illustrates, with ingeniously cropped photographs, the plight of Jews in Europe in the 1930s.
Another niche of the exhibit displays a must-see for students of French, "St.. Ghetto des Prets," which plays with pictographs to create linguistic meaning.
Beyond the rare books on display are numerous freestanding books that are on hand for public perusal. Of the over 30 books available, viewers are likely to find at least one that will interest or entertain them. One that immediately caught my eye was "The Menu," which, according to Barker, is "very typical of the thought that goes into these books." Each page of this artwork contains a list of food, a name, a date, a time, a place and a melancholic twist for the reader to discover. For those who may enjoy more scientific artwork, "Map Projections" displays drawings of three-dimensional projections of the globe in unique shapes such as a nautilus.
Barker expressed interest in discussing the exhibit with museum-goers who find themselves eager to know more or who seek guidance. She is happy to show them prints by Blake and Goya in the Mead's collection. "Off the Shelf" runs through Nov. 18. On Sept. 27, Kasper will give a gallery talk, which will be followed by a reception and repast.
"Off the Shelf" might not astound or amaze everyone who comes to visit it, but will certainly inspire and entertain some. The artwork is at once playful and serious, elevated and common. This art show is not one to miss, and if you are interested in a dynamic viewing, bring a friend or ask for Lizzie.