Emotional Treasures, Emotional Revelations: Socially Engaged Art Project

Date: 11/11/2019

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm


Location
Central Reading Room



Description

When books are purchased online, a recommendation algorithm automatically suggests related books to the user so that one can purchase books without visiting the bookstores. This event initiates an art project by Professor Nobuho Nagasawa that creates serendipity that is not possible with online book purchases. This project is a metaphorical “treasure hunt” in which students and faculty will participate. It initiates unexpected human connections through powerful intimate stories that invite us to open ourselves and thus become more human. This project creates a place for interactive social events through the medium of books.

Participants in this event will create a small four-fold palm-size booklet and write in the booklet an anonymous confession or secret that they have never shared. The person who writes the confession then selects a book from the free book stacks and inserts this booklet with their confession inside their chosen book. Over the course of two weeks, browsers then pick up one of the free books. The person who picks up a book containing a booklet with a confession reads the text and adds comments to the empty pages of the booklet, which is then displayed. Discovering new things that you did not expect and touching upon someone’s “secret” or “confession” creates an unexpected encounter. This project serves as a medium to liberate people’s minds.  Sharing a secret transforms from an act of personal disclosure to a collective act of forgiveness, understanding, and compassion.

This event is presented in collaboration with Professor Nobuho Nagasawa of the Department of Art.

Posted in Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences Events