The Paper Dolls Project – Salon at the Athenaeum
Artists Jiyoung Chung, Jacqueline Frole, Holly Gaboriault, and Francoise McAree, with Athenaeum Collections Librarian Kate Wodehouse will discuss The Paper Dolls Project, their recent collaborative residency using the Athenaeum’s Special Collections for artistic inspiration, culminating in an exhibit at the AS220 Project Space/Reading Room.
For the Paper Dolls project, each artist came up with three topics related to paper dolls, a toy that many women can recall from their childhood. However, the artists were able to transform this childhood past-time into something much more provocative and conceptual. The topics that the artists included under “paper dolls” are: doll culture in 1978, beauty, textiles, army brigade movements and uniforms, dance steps (with shoe prints and lines), marionettes, wallpaper samples, parasols, cabinets of curiosities, historical female figures, silhouettes, and optical illusions.
Librarian Kate Wodehouse assisted the artists with their research by providing access to items from the Athenaeum’s Special Collections that were related to these topics. At this Salon at the Athenaeum, the artists will discuss their circuitous, complicated, layered, surprising and serendipitous process, highlighting specific books and images that proved pivotal in creating their work.
Event is free and open to the public. The gallery exhibit opens April 5th, 2014 from 5-7 pm at the AS220 Reading Room (93 Mathewson Street). The exhibit will include the research materials of the artists (photographs, notes, sketches, and books).
Sponsor: Dr. Joseph A. Chazan
About Salons at the Athenaeum: Engage in lively conversation with exciting presenters from the worlds of art, literature, science, history, music, theater, and philosophy. Meet friends from the membership and introduce guests to the Athenaeum.
Salons are free and open to the public and take place Friday evenings from 5 to 7pm during the fall, late winter, and spring. Start your weekend at the Athenaeum! Stop by after work on Friday, on your way to dinner or the theater. We’ll be expecting you!
