The Hawn Gallery located in the Hamon Arts Library is hosting a meta- exhibition analyzing the work of Post Chiaroscuro: Prints in Color after the Renaissance until December 13. For the first time this year, the exhibit created a virtual aspect to the exhibition as an additional guide through the artist’s work.
“Everything that we did has never been done before for the libraries,” said Circulation Supervisor of the Audiovisual Center Sara Outhier, who helped co-curate the meta- exhibition.
With the use of a tablet or smartphone, visitors are able to access SMU’s digital collections by scanning a barcode/QR code on the description positioned next to the artwork. At each stop, after scanning the barcode, the link will take you to a lesson led by Dr. Lisa Pon in her course: History of Western Printmaking.
“We use this as the virtual companion to the physical components of the exhibition,” Outhier said.
This virtual outlet allows students to further their experience through a guided tour, receiving a deeper understanding of the work. Access to the digital exhibition is available in perpetuity according to Outhier, enabling a lasting connection to the information for those interested in the subject.
“If you’d have come here before the beginning of November, there would have been no informational panel because this was an assignment,” Outhier said, “Students were here looking at the different blocks and deciding what type of printmaking would work because there are multiple types of blocks that go into creating the finished print.”
Undergrad students from Pon’s class helped compose the art descriptions through a major class assignment. Each student wrote a description and competed for the most well written and informative explanation of the artwork through the use of library resources and extensive research. The winners if you will, are the descriptions currently on display in the exhibition.
“I think it’s great the exhibition incorporates SMU students,” Junior SMU student Sydney Rund said, “It makes for a very engaging assignment!”
There is also a digital screen placed next to the doors of the museum with a slideshow of images. These pictures provide an insight into the complete process of creating the final piece and recognize the student’s crucial part in making the exhibition possible.
“This was such an interactive exhibition,” Junior Chad Zakskorn said, “I was super impressed!”
The Year of the Library Committee curated the exhibition featuring objects from Bywaters Special Collections at Hamon and a few loans from the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation in Houston.
