In Focus: Art Exhibit Hopes To Explore What Books Really Mean

What makes a book…a book? Is it the words, the illustrations, or the form it comes in?

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s Latest Exhibit looks to expand the meaning beyond a book’s binding.

The book as art exhibit has been open for about a week. It currently features artists from Fargo, Duluth, Moorhead and Manitoba.

As with many of the shows, the cultural center hopes to get people questioning what they’re viewing.

For example, a series of 3-D mixed media pieces are included in the exhibit.

Another one of the artists featured is the Gallery Curator Jill Johnson. She gave a nod to her Swedish heritage by making thin dresses with faint writing.

The center hopes to include other artists and non-artists alike. They’re looking for people to lend the center their own books for an additional installation. The curator will be putting together the piece. Some of the older, more delicate books will be displayed but not touched by exhibit goers.

Executive Director Betsy Roder says the center has reached out to people before to contribute to the exhibits as part of their core mission values.

The center will host a reception for the gallery on December 3rd from 4 to 6 P-M. More information can be found at www.kulcher.org.