What is [art]iact?
[art]ifact: where history meets art is an integrated exhibit displaying both history and art. Traditionally historic exhibitions at museums answer patron's’ questions, assume no prior knowledge, and are meant to be an overall informative and educational experience. Art exhibitions at galleries, on the other hand, generally assume prior knowledge and experience with art and their main goal is interpretative rather than informative. The purpose of [art]ifact to explore both methods of delivering knowledge. By creating a cohesive exhibit combining the two genres we hope that patrons may come to a holistic understanding of objects made in La Crosse.
The foundational question of [art]ifact is why do we need things? To answer this question historical objects from the height of La Crosse manufacturing in the 1800s - 1900s are displayed alongside art pieces created by local contemporary artists. This juxtaposition of two ways of seeing creates disparate narratives so that viewers can ask questions of themselves as well as the society in which they live. Are the goods we consume a need or a want? Do the objects we cherish satisfy our emotional needs? Do they act as memory catchers for our chaotic minds? Or, perhaps, the objects we surround ourselves with order our lives and provide a certain amount of comfort, regularity, and routine.
The foundational question of [art]ifact is why do we need things? To answer this question historical objects from the height of La Crosse manufacturing in the 1800s - 1900s are displayed alongside art pieces created by local contemporary artists. This juxtaposition of two ways of seeing creates disparate narratives so that viewers can ask questions of themselves as well as the society in which they live. Are the goods we consume a need or a want? Do the objects we cherish satisfy our emotional needs? Do they act as memory catchers for our chaotic minds? Or, perhaps, the objects we surround ourselves with order our lives and provide a certain amount of comfort, regularity, and routine.
The Process
In cooperation with the La Crosse County Historical Society, UW-La Crosse students from the Public and Policy History Program and the project's director Ariel Beaujot chose 15 historical objects that were made in La Crosse and represent the community’s diverse history.
Students and community members enrolled in an [art]ifact class offered by the UWL History Department each selected one of the 15 objects to research. These students and Dr. Beaujot worked together to create the exhibit, which ran from February 26 - April 17, 2016 at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
In November 2015, Pump House jurors selected 15 artists from about 100 applications in response to an open Call to Artists. Artists working in a variety of media and artistic approaches were chosen. Selected artists were assigned one of the historic objects as determined by the jurors, and visited the Historical Society to examine them. Artists were also given research about the object that was compiled by UWL students. In three months, the artists created a new work inspired by their assigned object and its history.
Students and community members enrolled in an [art]ifact class offered by the UWL History Department each selected one of the 15 objects to research. These students and Dr. Beaujot worked together to create the exhibit, which ran from February 26 - April 17, 2016 at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
In November 2015, Pump House jurors selected 15 artists from about 100 applications in response to an open Call to Artists. Artists working in a variety of media and artistic approaches were chosen. Selected artists were assigned one of the historic objects as determined by the jurors, and visited the Historical Society to examine them. Artists were also given research about the object that was compiled by UWL students. In three months, the artists created a new work inspired by their assigned object and its history.
|
|
Photos courtesy of Laura Godden and Bob Good.
Success of the Exhibit
[art]ifact where history meets art was more successful than the team had anticipated with over 500 people at the opening reception, 386 coming out for our community talks, and 358 school children attending our educational programming. Overall the exhibit attracted 8478 people, four times the anticipated number of visitors.
|
|
|
Photos courtesy of Laura Godden, Bob Good, and Jennifer DeRocher.
[art]ifact is a collaboration of
The Public and Policy History Major and Minor, housed in the Department of History at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, seeks to work with community organizations in order to promote public history in the region and to train students how to mount professional projects to help with their future careers as historians.
|
La Crosse County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, display, and publication of county heritage.
|
The mission of the Pump House Regional Arts Center is to enhance the quality of life in the region by maintaining the Pump House as a cultural center; and by promoting a wide range of visual and performing arts activities including performance, participation and appreciation.
|
