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‘Connections’ exhibit and Nov. 17 event highlight the power of objects from Emory partners
Connections Exhibit Artwork

A few objects in the “Connections: The Power of Objects” exhibit at Emory Libraries are (L-R) untitled, by Henri Matisse (from Balser Art Collection at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School); Anthropomorphic vessel, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu, 1912-1930s, ceramic (from the Michael C. Carlos Museum, photographed by Bruce M. White, 2006); and a curated herbarium voucher specimen of the American Beautyberry (callicarpa americana) (from Emory Herbarium).

Artwork by Henri Matisse, a microscope, a Civil War sword, a political cartoon, a plant specimen and an anthropomorphic vessel. What brings these and other vastly different objects together? 

The answer is Emory Libraries, with the new exhibition “Connections: The Power of Objects.”

The exhibit, on view through Jan. 8, 2023, showcases special collections held or displayed by Emory University and close collaborators.

A celebration of the exhibit will be Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6–8 p.m. The evening will begin with a program in the Woodruff Library’s Jones Room on Level 3. A reception in the adjoining Schatten Gallery will follow. The events are open to the public at no charge; attendees can register here.

“Connections” highlights libraries, museums and other organizations that collect, preserve or foster the use of objects to increase knowledge, spark curiosity, encourage discovery and promote creativity.

Emory Libraries exhibition manager Kathy Dixson says the goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness of the fascinating objects that many Emory departments, units and related organizations hold in their collections that the larger community — and even those on the Emory and Oxford campuses — are unaware of.

When I ask students, neighbors or friends if they know about the Herbarium, Pitts Theology’s exhibits or our exhibits in the libraries and other such programs, too often I’ll hear ‘no,’” Dixson says. “This is an effort to turn that into a ‘yes, I saw this amazing exhibit or attended this thought-provoking program there last week.’”

The physical exhibit will be in place for only a few months, but a developing online exhibit will be ongoing. 

“We hope this is just one of many future collaborations to spread the word about these resources and that they can be accessed by both campus and community members,” Dixson adds. 

Dixson gives credit to the 16 partner organizations for providing diverse and intriguing objects to the exhibit and contributing significant time and effort to the exhibit’s success. These organizations are:

  • Arts and Social Justice Fellows Program 
  • Balser Art Collection at Emory University's Goizueta Business School
  • David J. Sencer CDC Museum
  • Emory Center for Digital Scholarship 
  • Emory Herbarium
  • Emory Law Archives, Hugh F. MacMillan Law Library
  • Emory's Public Art Collection
  • Historical Collections at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library
  • Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
  • Marian K. Heilbrun Music and Media Library
  • Michael C. Carlos Museum
  • Oxford College Library Special Collections
  • Pitts Theology Library Special Collections 
  • Science Gallery Atlanta
  • Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library
  • The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation

“Connections: The Power of Objects” is on view at Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Library, in the Corridor Gallery on Level 3. Visit the exhibit webpage or the online exhibit page for more information.


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