REVERSING VANDALISM EXHIBIT

By AILEEN ROBERTS
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA

On Saturday February 29th, a group of fellow altered book artists and I visited the Reversing Vandalism Exhibit on display at the San Francisco Public Library. This is an exhibition of over 200 original works of art created from books that centered on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender topics, women's issues and HIV/AIDs related themes that were destroyed and hidden by one vandal only to be discovered later by library employees. The San Francisco Public library decided to turn something negative into something positive by inviting artists and other concerned individuals from across the nation as well as other countries to turn the damaged books into works of art. The response was overwhelming and they soon ran out of books and had only paper-clipped pieces of pages and covers of books left to give out. The artists that participated demonstrated powerful transformations by turning an act of hatred into a positive healing statement through art.

I wasn't sure what to expect due to the nature of the exhibit, I figured anything was fair game for the type of art we might see. At first glance, the library was quite an awesome piece of architecture in itself. Upon entering the building and looking over the balcony both below and above, to the various levels the vast size of the library was amazing. Some might recall a movie a few years back titled "City of Angels". This was the library they used to film some of the scenes in the movie. I remember seeing that movie and thinking about what an awesome library it was, then to actually see it in person was absolutely breathtaking.

On the ground floor there was a beautiful piece from the exhibit that was hanging alone on the wall This piece was probably about 2 feet wide by 3feet tall. The artist had taken pages from the book and then spiraled them fan-like encircled around a center image, layer by layer with each layer being a different bright color. The end result was a stunning piece of art.

On we went up to the 3rd floor following our map (this was definitely a library one could easily get lost in). Near the entrance to the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center, we were met with a large display case that hung on the wall with several impressive looking wall hangings that had been weaved out of pages and paper and other book and non book paraphernalia (even forks and knives were added). Once we entered the Hormel Center which was a beautiful, small circular study room. We were greeted with exhibit cases that hung from the walls on one half of the room in addition to some free standing cases against the walls. The exhibit cases were filled with each artists own interpretation of what "Reversing Vandalism" meant to them. Some were obvious statements, others were more subtle and a few left the viewer bewildered and wondering.

It was here I found the exhibit I had created many months ago with the few bits and pieces of pages, book covers and notes paper clipped together that were sent to me. When I received the package, I remember feeling at a loss at first. When I opened the envelope and viewed its contents, a wave of disappointed washed over me because I had been expecting a book rather then the pieces that were sent to me. How was I ever going to create something with these pieces? Slowly the creative wheels began to churn and my muse got me busy creating the piece I was now standing in front of once again. It was a strange feeling seeing my art after I had sent it out into the world not expecting to ever see it again, knowing it would never come back to me (being more accustomed to a book in a round robin which eventually gets returned). The feeling was more a feeling you might get when running into an old friend you haven't seen in a while; a warm familiar feeling. Perhaps this was because I had created my piece from beginning to end with the notion that I would not be keeping it, in essence I had set it free so to see it once more was a surprising gift I received.

AILEEN'S ARTWORK [LEFT], DISPLAYED

The exhibit was housed on three different floors with the main exhibit being on the lowest level located in the Jewett Gallery. As I viewed exhibits there would be names from time to time I would recognize from the Altered Book List on Yahoo. What I found interesting was that there were particular exhibits where you could definitely tell that the artist was an altered book artist. There was a certain flavor, if you will, that the altered book artists portrayed that was different from many of the other artists. Of course this didn't go for every exhibit but various ones here and there I would notice.

There was a wide range in ideas and concepts used in the exhibits from serving trays deco podged with cartoon images, statues covered with paged from a book to beautiful hanging wall art. All forms of art were created using books or pieces of books they were sent. One was like a train pulling along other books. There were interesting bowl made from the pages of a book and a shrine, complete with a Madonna resting on its shelf. Some exhibits were tributes to people they had known and loved.

I was fortunate enough to see Laurie Gatlin's amazing altered book up close. As you all know seeing art in person rather then online or in pictures is always much more impressive. I also saw Claudette Hunter's handsome piece hanging behind glass on the wall, Lisa Vollrath's uniquely created barbwire entwined book, Joyce Yuen's whimsical triangular shaped book, and Lisa Mallette's cigar box beautifully covered using small torn pieces of pages from a book This was on display in the display case at the lower entrance which opens onto the street enticing people to come in and view more of the exhibit. One thing was certain in viewing this exhibit there was no lacking in artistic imagination and open-mindedness. To have this many artists from all walks of life and countries come together collectively taking an artistic stance against hatred was a thing of beauty in itself.

©CLAUDETTE HUNTER	©LAURIE GATLIN
© LISA MALLETTE

The topping on this artistic-eye-candy-filled day was to discover my fellow artist friends eagerly going through the used books the library had out for sale and excitedly picking out just the right book for their next altered adventure.

The exhibit can be viewed at the San Francisco's Public Library 100 Larkin Street through May 2nd, 2004.