Friday, March 26, 2010

The Library of Babel

The Library of Babel / In and Out of Place is now on view at 176 Zabludowicz Collection in London. This salon-style exhibition, with 217 contemporary works, encourages the viewer to think like a curator. There are no wall texts, essays or audio guides to help visitors through the exhibition.

Anna-Catharina Gebbers, guest curator of 176, wants each guest to interpret the exhibition in his or her own way.

The Library of Babel / In and Out of Place questions my role as it places every visitor in the role of a curator; the sheer number of works forces the visitor to choose which works will receive attention. I am interested in how these decisions are made,” said Gebbers.

Invited professionals and visitors will get the chance to conduct tours for the public. There will also be a series of lectures and panel discussions with scientists and theorists from such varying backgrounds as neurology, psychology, linguistics and literature.

The name of the exhibition is inspired by the short story, “The Library of Babel,” by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. In the story, inhabitants of a library try to find an “absolute interpretation” of the information around them.

The Library of Babel / In and Out of Place is the largest exhibition of works from the Zabludowicz collection of over 2,000 pieces. The exhibition showcases painting, photography, sculpture and video.

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