The University Libraries concludes the 2016-17 academic year with the exhibit “Plastics: Knowledge and Information Taking Shape” on display through Wednesday, Aug. 9. The exhibit will be held in the Pattee Library central entrance exhibit cases and adjacent Sidewater Commons, first floor Pattee Library on Penn State’s University Park campus. Offering an in-depth exploration of University Libraries’ materials related to plastic, the exhibit is free and open to the public and is available for viewing during spring semester Pattee Library operating hours.
The exhibit -- curated by J. Harlan Ritchey, Penn State information resources and services support specialist at the Engineering Library, and Graham Berg, Media Commons consultant -- explores the various manifestations of plastic, from plastic surgery to the plastic arts. The exhibit also features artifacts, photographs, and explanatory documentation about the Great Book Move, a book sculpture, and a display dedicated to the Maker Commons, the library’s 3D printing facilities.
“The idea behind this exhibit is based on the original meaning of ‘plastic’ as what can be molded and formed,” Ritchey explained. “That includes the knowledge and information that libraries store as well as shape, it’s an apt metaphor.”
Lab-synthesized plastics, or plastics made from refining oil and gas, are a relatively new invention, coming into prominence after World War II. Natural plastics, such as keratin, wax and tallow, have been in use for centuries, stemming back to medieval times when craftsmen used animal horn, a mixed carbon-nitrogen polymer, to make lantern windows. In 1862, Alexander Parkes created the first man-made plastic, a cellulose-based rubber-like material called Parkesine. During the 20th century, plastics innovation and production increased astronomically and as “Plastics: Knowledge and Information Taking Shape” demonstrates, plastics are now an indispensable part of our daily life.
The exhibit in Sidewater Commons, a computer lab and gallery space on the first floor of Pattee Library, showcases posters on the plastic nature of knowledge and information, detailing a wide breadth of information on plastic production and engineering, recycling and sustainability, and environmental impact. The posters also focus on plastics, not just as defined as a synthetic or natural material, but also a synonym for credit cards, or in reference to the plastic arts or neuroplasticity. Each displayed poster corresponds to a rich collection of books and multimedia materials held in the University Libraries, from current textbooks and manuals on petroleum engineering to sound recordings made from polycarbonate to nylon, latex and polyester clothing.
Two central exhibit cases in Pattee Library also feature materials related to plastics. The first case focuses on moments from the “Great Book Move,” a performative art event that took place on Feb. 2, 2016. Installed by sculptor Katrin Hornek, of Vienna, Austria, the “Great Book Move” utilized almost 2,000 books with the word plastic in their title. Hornek sorted and reassembled the books into a sculptural installation photograph titled “Title Search on Plastic*s” which was guided by her interest in looking at shaping forces and casting molds causing social, geological and abstract environments to materialize in forms.
The other exhibit case focuses on the University Libraries Makers Commons, a University-wide initiative to enrich the Penn State teaching and learning experience through 3D printing. The case include examples of 3D printed projects and art, demonstrating the myriad applications of this state-of-the-art printing and scanning technology.
For more information about the exhibit or inquiries about special accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Harlan Ritchey (jhr109@psu.edu or 814-865-7238) or Graham Berg (grb16@psu.edu or 814-863-7537).
Come to the Rhoneymeade studio to see artwork by students in the Delta Program! There will be work in a variety of media -- including pottery, pencil and charcoal, and collage. You're invited to attend the opening reception for this exhibition on Sunday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m. The exhibition will run until June 25.
| Dates: |
06/10/2017 - 06/25/2017 |
| Start Time: |
10:00 am |
| Location: |
Rhoneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden |
| Address: |
177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA, 16828 (map) |
| Website: |
http://www.rhoneymeade.org |
An Imagined world inspires my paper collage.
I begin my collages by marbling, paste painting, and dyeing paper to create the colors and textures that are essential to my artwork. Then I tear, cut and combine multiple layers of patterned papers and handmade paper to suggest fanciful and surrealistic landscapes and seascapes. An imaginary woodland plant on a mossy slope, a romanticized view of a mountain in autumn or a rogue ocean wave might become the subject of a work.
| Dates: |
06/02/2017 - 06/25/2017 |
| Start Time: |
12:00 pm |
| Location: |
Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County |
| Address: |
133 N. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA, 16823 (map) |
| Website: |
http://www.bellefontemuseum.org |
| Photos: |
2 
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Central Pennsylvania has become home to a growing selection of craft breweries, distilleries and wineries with each showcasing their variety of flavors and styles. That is why we have chosen “Libations” to be the theme for our 5th annual summer museum project. Plans include community events, workshops, libation tours, art shows and educational programs.
“Good Libations”, a visual art exhibit of photographs by local photographers from our Artist Registry will be on display in the Windows Gallery. Photographers were on location as early as October 2016 taking photographs of people, places and things related to the process of creating local libations. Several images from each establishment will be on display. These images along with artifacts, equipment, ingredients and other objects on loan from local establishments will highlight the process of brewing or distilling. Our intent is to provide viewers with a better knowledge of the process and introduce them to a sample of what is created right here in Centre County.
| Dates: |
06/02/2017 - 07/30/2017 |
| Start Time: |
12:00 pm |
| Location: |
Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County |
| Address: |
133 N. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA, 16823 (map) |
| Website: |
http://www.bellefontemuseum.org |
| Photos: |
2
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Solo exhibit of paintings by Artist Lori Fisher
"I love surrounding myself with color, patterns and textures. This love of vibrant color and style is usually present in my painting as well. When given this opportunity to exhibit, I knew I wanted to create a show full of color and life. What better way to do this than with flowers. Having completed the first few paintings, I discovered I was only choosing flowers that were fully blossomed and realized that this was a reflection of my life. I believe there are two types of people in this world, those who are living and those who are existing. Many people pass each day with the same routine, void of any expectation, desire or initiative merely doing what is required of them, only to get up the next day and do it all again - they exist. Others live each day to the fullest, making the most of every opportunity to create new challenges and adventures, they find pleasure in the small things and welcome a change in routine - they live.
Although some days may get crazy and a bit overwhelming, I always choose to look up, feel the sun on my face, and Live in Full Bloom."
| Dates: |
06/02/2017 - 06/25/2017 |
| Start Time: |
12:00 pm |
| Location: |
Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County |
| Address: |
133 N. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA, 16823 (map) |
| Website: |
http://www.bellefontemuseum.org |
| Photos: |
2
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Using only recycled materials in her artwork, local artist Jami Joelle Nielsen debuts her science-fiction themed collage art series "Otherworldly Landscapes" at Schlow Library's Betsy Rodgers Allen Gallery. On display for the month of June, the opening reception will be held coinciding with First Fridays on June 2nd, from 4:30-5:30 in Schlow Library's Gallery and Community Room B. Art exhibit is available for viewing only during the days/hours that Schlow Library is open. A portion of art sales will be donated to Schlow Library. Family friendly and inclusive event.
