Friday, October 31, 2014
Next time you're coming or going from the Dana Porter Library, look for the art installation by Fine Arts student, Eleonora Shteynle, that is located on the wall in between the two sets of sliding doors.
Eleonora's work is called "A Silent Floor." It showcases a selection of the graffiti that appears on the Library's study carrels. "I am interested in how students are able to share their personal thoughts and feelings anonymously in public spaces," Eleonora says in describing her installation.
Eleonora spent a few days walking around the Dana Porter Library looking at the markings left by students on the study carrels. She then used Adobe Illustrator to trace each student's handwriting, placing the selections together on a wide-scale banner printed in black and white ink. "Students' writings range from the overly cheerful and loving to the daring and despising," Eleonora reflects. She was also curious about the conversations that students have on the carrels and noticed how students give advice, respond to one another, and share different quotes on the desks.
"When students share something anonymously in a public place, they want to be heard by someone," Eleonora says. "By tracing some of the writings and placing them at the entrance of the library I wanted to share those students' thoughts, views, and feelings with others and make them more public."
Eleonora's installation will be up until the end of November. For questions on this installation, contact Eleonora directly by email.
For more information on art installations in the Library, contact:
Nancy Collins
Liaison Librarian for Fine Arts
519-888-4567, ext. 32446
