A exhibition that showcases pieces by Mexican artist ERRE (Marcos Ramírez), whose work reflects the sociopolitical issues surrounding the Mexico-US border in various forms, including text-based art.
Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, and ReflectSpace Gallery are proud to present “It's Clever, But Is It Art?” a solo exhibition, curated by Alma Ruiz, that showcases several pieces by well-known Mexican artist ERRE (Marcos Ramírez), whose work reflects the sociopolitical issues surrounding the Mexico-US border in various forms, including text-based art. Through works that resemble crossword puzzles and the Snellen Optometry chart, the exhibition explores the impact of written language within the context of a public library. The exhibition includes public art in four large-scale eye-chart-like banners featuring quotations from notable writers displayed on the library building's facade. A floor installation referencing the Tower of Babel completes the exhibition, offering insight into the biblical story of a multilingual world. “It's Clever, But Is It Art?”, titled after a quotation by Rudyard Kipling, is curated by Alma Ruiz, former senior curator at MOCA, Los Angeles.
In Central Library’s Passageway Gallery, two accompanying projects are on display: a series of community portraits entitled ‘If You Had A Magic Wand’ is a socially engaged art project by Johnny Pérez, in collaboration with Edison Elementary, and Glendale Central Library. The portraits act to further validate the students and their wishes for the community. “Letters to Parents,” a postcard project by Kevin Ly invites the public to a writing prompt asking, “what do you wish your parents had told you?”, it is intended to start a conversation and have people interact with not just the exhibit but with each other. All exhibitions will be available from June 3 through July 23, 2023, at Glendale Central Library 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 24, from 6 – 8 pm. ReflectSpace and PassageWay Galleries are curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan.
Image: IT’S CLEVER,BUT IS IT ART? (Rudyard Kipling), 2023. Sandblast over mirror, 35 ½ x 24 inches.
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Visitors to the Glendale Central Library receive 3 hours FREE parking across Harvard Street at the Marketplace parking structure with validation at the service desk. Accessible parking is available on the east side of the building.
For additional information about this event, please contact Central Library at 818-548-2021 or send us an email at LibraryInfo@GlendaleCA.gov.
Established in 1906.
Library services in Glendale were first provided in 1906. The women of the Tuesday Afternoon Club, a social and philanthropic organization, raised money through a series of lectures to fund a library collection. The library opened in a renovated pool room at Third and E (Wilson and Everett) Streets with seventy books, soon supplemented by a State Traveling Library of fifty more, and served a population of 1,186.
In 1907, the City Trustees passed Ordinance 53 which established and supported a library which "...shall be forever free to the inhabitants and nonresident taxpayers of the City of Glendale..." The first year the library had 251 books, 165 registered patrons, and a budget of $248.88.
In 1913, a Carnegie grant of $12,500 made possible the construction of the main library at Kenwood and Fifth (Harvard Street). The building was completed and dedicated November 13, 1914.
