The Bookshelf at the Reading Room
Installation by Sheila Cunningham and VET
Location: Creative Art Center, 2360 Laughlin Drive, Dallas TX 75228
New technologies offer many more forms of output that changehow we seek and consume information, as we find new ways to access knowledgewhat happens with the old way? What becomes of the books people no longer use,want or need.
The book is a symbol of knowledge, a container forinformation that has been revered for hundreds of years. Carefully stored inbook shelves across the globe from small home libraries to the most ornate of literaryinstitutions to be read and returned to its place on the shelf for the nextreader. But these traditions are shiftingas new technologies offer many more forms of output that change how we seek andconsume information. While the primary purpose remains the same, the dissemination of information, the form and delivery mode are transforming as we transitionfrom bound paper to pixels. Libraries are offering ebooks along side traditionalbooks. More and more are transitioning away from traditional books toelectronic books and media. As we find newway to access knowledge what happens with the old way? What becomes of thebooks people no longer use, want or need. How will the stability and permanenceof the information storage and the continuance of information retrieval be guaranteedfor future generations?
The books in this installation are recycled from theBookBerm installation and are books that would be thrown out or go to the recycler.
