Libraryman
Aug 1st, 2003

Vandalism + Library Books=Art?

This is an interesting story which has spawned an idea that actually seems to hold some potential. Take freakishly vandalized library books and use the creeps work to make art. Seems like you don?t really need other artists to comment on and use his ?work? though to make a point. Isn?t the vandals ?statement? valid enough already to constitute an exhibition? I suppose it could be argued that without the additional artist?s comments, such a show would glorify the original perpetrator.

Here?s another potential Library themed art show we should work on: let?s save the icky and unusual things people return with their books and make an exhibition out of those goodies. Or, we could cover an entire wall with bookmarks returned in books. C?mon, floor to ceiling bookmarks would really catch your eye! Oh, how about this: we could put an enormous, extra fancy gilded frame around the most mangled romance novel we can dig out of the returns. We could call it ?True Literary Tragedy?. It?s funny on so many levels and it really, really makes you think. Now THAT is art, my friend.

Original story from the SF Examiner via LISNews

  • 7 Comments
  • Art

7 Responses to “Vandalism + Library Books=Art?”

  1. # MLCon 02 Aug 2003 at 1:49 pm

    Actually some our patrons do their own installation art. For example, a few weeks ago, somebody rubbed feces all over the men’s bathroom wall. Great, huh?

  2. # MPon 02 Aug 2003 at 5:37 pm

    This sort of art is truly a deep commentary on society. If you caught the “artist” and were allowed to wring their neck, wouldn’t that qualify as performance art?

  3. # Aaronon 02 Aug 2003 at 5:40 pm

    Wow, your library is patronized by the same artists as mine! Actually, the artist here likes to make a more confined and succinct statement with his feces; usually, it’s on the floor, rather than smeared on anything. I think it’s supposed to be a statement on the plight of the human soul trapped in claustrophobic, technocratic society. Either that, or he just has really bad aim.

  4. # MPon 02 Aug 2003 at 11:23 pm

    Or it’s a comment on the human soul being trapped in ME. ;)

  5. # MLCon 03 Aug 2003 at 5:46 pm

    I enjoyed your interpretation of the Feces on Wall piece, but personally I see as a sort of pop art. You know, a “people these days are even willing to pay for shit” type of commentary.

  6. # Jessica Saunderson 26 Jan 2004 at 4:46 am

    Study as though you will not reach, as if you may lose it.

  7. # balikuon 09 Feb 2004 at 2:08 am

    I followed the link to all your ads
    Nice to get your