For centuries artists have utilized text to serve and strengthen the imagery they create. The Chinese language itself is evolved from pictographs and ideographs to the characters we see today. It’s often said that a picture can say a thousand words, yet words have the ability to be pictures themselves.
“Pairing text with images was a natural evolution,” said Whitney Tassie, UMFA’s curator of modern and contemporary art. “In the modern era, artists began collaging the printed word to objectively reflect the rapidly-changing world around them.”
We see the marriage of text and art every day. Whether it’s on a poster for an event or an Internet meme, text can give us information while art can give meaning and express more abstract ideas — together they can transcend their own limitations.
On display now until July 26 at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is an exhibition titled “[con]text.” This exhibit of work from UMFA’s permanent collection will dive into the history of the use of art and text together. The oldest piece on display is an Egyptian Wall Relief from 2494-2345 BCE, while the newest piece is by photographer Shannon Ebner from 2004. This wide range of work also features a statue by John Cage made in collaboration with U faculty in 1969 and sculptor Marisol Escobar.
“I think the medieval illuminated manuscripts are not to be missed. The intricate embellishments that artists added to biblical texts were meant to make the stories more accessible, but they are also just stunning,” Tassie said.
The gallery also features work of early French political cartoonist Honoré Daumier. Given recent events in Paris, this part of the exhibit is politically relevant today.
“The works in the exhibition are not overtly political, but Daumier was up against serious censorship in 19th century Paris and it’s likely the cartoons on view were made in a time when freedom of speech was in question,” Tassie said.
The exhibit is not organized chronologically or geographically but by how text can illuminate, advocate, communicate and entice art. One area of the exhibit will emphasize the use of text as a tool for political engagement while another will use it to express an emotion, sound or atmosphere.
Walking through this exhibit was more than an educational experience. Displaying a medley of different art types and forms is a great way to communicate the theme and concept. There are audio portions of the exhibit that take visitors back to the time in which the piece was created, enabling them to interact with the art, instead of just viewing it.
The UMFA will also be accepting prose and poetry submissions for a writing contest in conjunction with [con]text until Feb. 19. Submissions are limited to 600 words (or 30 lines for poetry) and must be inspired by a specific piece within the exhibition. The first place winner will receive $100, and second place will receive $50. The winners must also share their piece at an open mic on Thursday, April 2, at the UMFA. Submissions may be sent (along with a cover letter, your name, year in school, an exact word count and a notation about which work inspired the piece) to [email protected].
@ChronyArts