Al Hirschfeld, “Charlie Chaplin,” 1981. © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
The SUArt Galleries is presenting “[Re] Framed: An Object’s Journey Into the Collections,” an exhibition that presents over 30 recently accessioned works in the Syracuse University Art Collection and Syracuse University Libraries to explain the curatorial process that is central to every display. By dividing the exhibition into four categories titled “Acquire,” “Preserve,” “Exhibit” and “Interpret,” the curators have been able to illustrate the complex process behind each object’s inclusion in an exhibition.
The exhibition was curated by graduate students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts museum studies graduate program course “Advanced Curatorship,” under the guidance of SUArt Galleries Senior Curator and Professor Edward A. Aiken.
The exhibition opened April 7 in the Shaffer Art Building. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Thursdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Although the curatorial team could explain the entire exhibition process by focusing on a single art object, a wider range of works has given them the opportunity to describe it in greater depth. All the objects follow a similar research and development process to become part of an exhibition, but there are differences in how each is acquired, preserved, exhibited and interpreted. These four categories are key to the development of each exhibition, but are not normally observed by the general public in the resulting exhibition. Since the curatorial and collection management processes mostly happen behind closed doors, “[Re] Framed: An Object’s Journey Into the Collections” allows visitors to peek into the specialized world of museum work and see the metaphorical life of an art object unfold.
Grant Miles Simon, “Ships,” 1940.
Select programming associated with the exhibition includes a Lunchtime Lecture with the curators on Wednesday, April 20, at 12:15 p.m. There will also be a special SUKids Event, on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. This event, geared towards kids ages 5-10, will cover themes from the exhibition that explore not just art appreciation, but also an introduction to the care and presentation of artwork by the professionals who work in museums and galleries. There will be a gallery tour and a guided art activity centered on creating your child’s own masterpiece, which will then be framed.
The exhibition and programs are free and open to the public. Complete information and related programming is available by visiting the website at http://suart.syr.edu/.
Press material, including exhibition press release, exhibition publications, checklist and press-ready images are available for download directly from the SUArt Galleries website at http://suart.syr.edu/media-2/press-materials/
