The University of Iowa Libraries
Special Collections and University Archives
Finding Aid
CollectionTitle cARTalog Collection Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research. Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department. Copyright: Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials. Use of Collections: The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement. Acquisition and Processing Information: The collection was created for exhibition at the University of Iowa Libraries. Photographs: Throughout Box 2 |
Shirt from the exhibition |
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials relating to the University of Iowa Libraries' 2006 cARTalog exhibit. It is broken into two series. The first series contains the actual artifacts from the exhibit; the second contains supplementary materials, such as the administrative materials, correspondence, materials relating to the artists, correspondence, items having to do with the opening event, publicity and information regarding the web page associated with the project. There was also a mail art component and an elementary/high school component to the project. Material relating to these initiatives is included here as well. CDs and DVDs of the installations and the opening event are part of the collection.
Historical Note
- When technology, with its online catalog, made catalog cards obsolete, University of Iowa librarians did not want to just throw away these cards, which had done such faithful duty in storing and retrieving information for generations of students, staff, and faculty, so they decided to open an exhibit of creations around old catalog cards. The project was announced in mid 2005. The kindergarten through 12th grade exhibit opened October 29, 2005. The general exhibit and mail art exhibit opened April 2006.
A festival of art, culture and a celebration of the Libraries, this opening event was the culmination of the cARTalog project and presented both the visual and performing art projects that grew from the retired catalog cards. The public non-juried art exhibition featured over 50 pieces that were submitted for the cARTalog general exhibition. Artists responded with a range of fascinating works including books, collage, clothing, sculpture and an installation piece by artist Robert Possehl that was suspended from the ceiling of the Main Library’s North Exhibition Hall. The festival included the performing arts of Peter Balestrieri and his improvisation group, Din; a children's theatrical performance of "Laughter, Liberty, Library: A Card Catalogue Adventure" written by UI Student Justine Nakase; and Comedy Improv by Lightening in a Bottle.
- The cARTalog collection became a digital collection in the Iowa Digital Library in Fall of 2006.
Related Materials
Box Contents List
The order of the following list is: Last name, First Name. Title. Type. Media. Number of cards used. Collaborators
Box 1
Series I: Artifacts
Bremer, Celeste. [Chest of drawers]
Carls, Beth. Everything Old. 3D. Book-paint, stamp, collage. 6
Harroff, William. Alexandria. 3D. Wood book with altered cards. 250. Charlotte Johnson
Hettig, Beverly B. Reality: A Catalog of Recent Events. 3D book with digital print on cards. 24
Johnson, Charlotte. What's What. 3D. Collaged book
Johnson, Charlotte. Alexandria. 3D. Wood book with altered cards. 250. William Harroff
Northwest Ohio Altered Artists. Our Favorite Literature. 3D. Altered book. 20
Russum Scott, Marlene. Charta Catalogus. 2D. Altered cards and bone. 55
Sauls, Shirley. Brilliant Idea/Light Bulb. 3D. Mixed media: sewing, stamping, collage. 35 -40
Waight, Gwen. The Fool of Quality. 3D. Mixed media collage
Weigle, Anastasia S. Understanding Children. 3D. Sculpture/assemblage, collage. 1
Weigle, Anastasia S. What Doth the Lord Require of Thee? 3D. Sculpture/assemblage, collage. 1
White, Jessica. Girl in Winter
Hibbert-Jones, Dee. The Who Series. 3D. Sculpture
Auburn University students
Box 2
Field. Susan. Whale Pillow. 3D. Woven pillow with cards. 5
Orgren, Sally. Card Weaving. 3D. Woven tie. 1
Orgren, Sally. Cards Woven into Tie. 3D. Card weaving book
Rice, Sammie. Untitled. 3D. Paper crown
Box 3
Cutler-Lake, Karina. I Scribbled and I Know Why: 1976-2006. 2D. Mixed media-painting with cards .1
Cutler-Lake, Karina. MLS to MFA. 2D. Mixed media-painting with cards. 2
Smith, David L. Nos. 12A, AP7A, 4A, 11A; brochure, bag of painted cards.
Stash, Jennifer. What Do You Say to a Hungry World? In Shadow. 2D. Painting. Valerie Johnson
Bouse, Amy. When the Light Is Out. 2D. Cards, pastel and thread. 8
David, Lucy. Sacred Songs. 3D. Coptic binding book. 40. 2 pieces
Jacobi, Kristin. Angleworms du Jour. 2D. Digital print and collage. 1
Knight, Susan. Zebra Mussel Explosion: Profound Change in US Water Systems. 3D. Altered card sculpture. 24
Nashelsky. Joan. Untitled. 2D. Collage. 12
Pape, Sky. The Thing Destroyed/The Thing Contained. 2D. Collage 14
Price, Gary H. Inline Catalog. 2D. Collage. 9
Price, Gary H. Gone to Bits. 2d. Deconstucted card with Hollerith punches
Torne, Gonzalo. Iraq Democratic Party. 2D. Collage-card and acrylic
Radical Militant Librarians
Box 4
Possehl, Robert. Relationship Requiem. (Oversize sketch from center case).
Box 5
Baker Muehl, Lois. Fruitful Learning. 2D Collaged flag: felt, fake gold, cards, paper, lace and patch. 13
Falconer, M.D. 50 Cards in Mini Dress
Sauls, Shirley. Card Up My Sleeve. 3D. Mixed media: sewing, stamping, collage. 35-40
Hansen, Susan. M.C. Jacket
Barker, Joyce. Corsage
Box 6
Böhm, Benjamin. 17. Museum of Temporary Art
Canary-Lee, Beth. 2 Cards. 2D. Collage 1
Coralville Central Elementary
Dabrowski, Martin .150 Flowers For 150 Years of the University of Iowa Libraries. 3D. Book- collaged cards. 40
Freeman,Jane. Flipped Out & Superannuated. 3D. Altered flip book. 30
Frips. Bird. 3D. Artist book
Frips. In My Garden. 3D. Artist book
Germain, Erin. Digital Emerson. 2D. Digital print. 1
Knipe, Anne E. Untitled. Watercolor. 2
Lavadour, Roberta. Strictly Private. 3D. Book. 6
McGehee, Claudia. Men, Women and Books. 2D. Scratchboard collage with tea stain. 1
Miller, Liz Lynn. Haiku Issue. 2D. Altered cards. 7
Taylor, Darrell. Laminated Collage Cards. 2D. Laminated collaged cards. 27
Williams, Michel. Shelter: Some Memories. 3D. Book. 6
Wood, Reid. Bab(b)el-On Iowa. 3D. Book. 22
Scanlin, Mim Galub. Quotes About Books
New Roads High School. Assorted Cards.
Box 7
Coates, Louise. Girders. 3D. Pop up book. 6
Dianora, Mare. Message in a Bottle. 3D. Mixed media sculpture: card, bottle, map, cork. 1
Gunnip, Laura. All, Extraodinary, Scenic, Society. 3D. Book. 12
Marsh, Mary V. The Endless Story. 3D. Accordian book. 16
Mitchell, Kathy. Untitled. 3D. Resin and wood? sculpture with cards. 12
Wolfersberger, Nicole. Stencilled Playing Cards. 12
Box 8
Falconer, M.D. Drawings - Rotterdam
Falconer, M.D. 4 Cards in Dancing Shoes
Falconer, M.D. L'Esprit D'Adventure
Falconer ,M.D. Sketchbook with Buttonhole Stitched Spine
Falconer, M.D. Sketchbook with Bound Edge CoversFalconer, M.D. Story of Civilization
Box 9
Stash, Jennifer. What Do You Want for $1.98? 2D. Text. Valerie Johnson
Stash, Jennifer. Patron. 2D. Text. Valerie Johnson
Galloway, Gregory. Set of 21 Collages. 2D. set of 21 collages. 30Smith, David L. "The Thin Lines Tilt Downwards. . .", "The Stores Are All Closed Up. . .", "The Parking Ramp of My Mind. . .", "Catch Me If You Can. . ."
Series II:Supplementary Materials
Administrative
Artists
Box 10
Correspondence
Inception of the program. Photos of people taking cards out of the catalog to be used in their projects. On paper and CD
K-12 component
Mail art component. Paper and CD
Mini video tape of exhibit, showing the opening event and a pan of the exhibit
Opening event
Gadney's movie
Guest book
Images. On paper and CD
Laughter, Liberty, Library. Play performed at opening event.
Images
Script
Program
Other related projects
Publicity (The logo stamp is in box 9.)
Web page