Transcript Public Library Magic: The Art of Story

Public Library Magic
The Art of Story
Laura Angilee Murray
Library and Gallery
My dream public library would include juried art exhibitions that
change monthly in conjunction with the local first Friday activities.
Laura Angilee Murray
Works of Art would be accompanied
by books that highlight the work
Sally Mann
• From Lexington, Virginia
• Photographed her children
• Controversial
Laura Angilee Murray
Displays
Artist’s books and books written about the artist displayed near each work and featured
throughout the library make the books easily accessible.
Sally Mann, Candy Cigarette, 1989, gelatin silver print,
copyright Sally Mann, courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery
Laura Angilee Murray
Video
If available, featuring the artist’s work through video would be ideal.
The video, played silently could be displayed on a screen or
projected onto a wall. (If the library owns a projector, this is a
dramatic display of both the artist’s work and the documentarian.)
Laura Angilee Murray
“
Sometimes I think the only memories I have are those
that I’ve created around photographs of me as a child.
Maybe I’m creating my own life. I distrust any memories
I do have. They may be fictions, too.
Sally Mann
”
Including some quotes is not only be aesthetically pleasing, it can help the patron get to know
the artist in an intimate way, without having to speak to them directly.
Laura Angilee Murray
Relationships
Connections between other artists, writers or
influences can enrich the patron experience
even more.
Laura Angilee Murray
Similar Artists
Displaying work throughout the
library helps create visual
cohesiveness.
Including work from similar artists
expands the patron’s view and
educates about a movement, style
or other important issues
surrounding the work or the artist
Laura Angilee Murray
Subtlety is ok too.
Sally Mann’s work includes
photographs taken at the
University of Tennessee
Knoxville’s Body Farm.
Want a closer look? Take a
peek at the book What Remains
located on the third floor.
Laura Angilee Murray
The Art of Story: My Dream Library
The floor plan for the interior should resemble a book store with more
couches. It should be open but divided into nooks that encourage both reading
and quiet contemplation as well as spaces to spark conversation or intellectual
discourse.
The library design scheme should be neutral enough to accommodate a myriad
of styles and types of art.
Laura Angilee Murray
How could this be a practical public library?
Immersing patrons in an experience does not have to limit access to all other library services.
There would still be a computer lab, a circulation area, reference material. But the arrangement
would be more fluid. The furniture, shelving, displays, should all be movable to accommodate
regular reconfigurations.
The library arrangement of materials could be subject based with areas to include books,
music, periodicals, and audiovisual content. The Library of Congress classification system is
arranged categorically, this lends itself to a much more intentional placement of material than
just rows and rows of shelves.
What if the patron enjoyed their stay so much, they returned over and over again? Why not
make the library a place of not only knowledge but beauty as well? The depth of experience
could remake libraries as public space.
Laura Angilee Murray
“
Hey, I wonder what’s playing
at the library tonight!
happy patron on a date
Wouldn’t it be great for patrons to look forward to a night out at the library?
Laura Angilee Murray
”
References
Gloaguen, L. (2012, February 2). Journal de bord de Laurent Gloaguen.
Keller, C., Blessing, J. & Bryan-Wilson, J. (2011). Francesca Woodman. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art:
New York
Mann, S. (2010). Selected Works. Retrieved from sallymann.com
Mann, S. (2000). Body Farm. Retrieved from sallymann.com
Mann, S. & Price, R. (1995). Immediate Family. Aperture Foundation: New York
Morrison, B. (2010, May 28). Sally Mann: The naked and the dead. The Guardian. Retrieved from guardian.co.uk
Quoteman. (2013). Sally Mann. Retrieved from photoquotations.com.
Laura Angilee Murray