In the Kindle era, it’s easy to forget the association between reading and tactile sensations— turning the pages of a book, or enjoying the “new” (or “old”) book smell is lost in digitization. Visual artist Werner Pfeiffer’s work encourages viewers to rethink this modern marvel, as well as the relationship with books and reading.
Werner Pfeiffer’s book-objects first appeared in the museum in 1984; a set of die-cut lithographs titled Liber Mobile. That exhibit was one of the trained typographer and designer’s first efforts. Unlike a traditional book, Pfeiffer elevates a traditional 2-D medium to one that exists in 3-D. With Pfeiffer’s ‘book-objects,’ the viewer’s relationship to the book is far different than with a novel. They are illusionary objects, presented traditionally but read like a sculpture, making for an exhibit that fits nicely with TMA’s push for visual literacy.
Unique to TMA
Werner Pfeiffer, Green Diagonal. Small dimensional print: intaglio, die-cut, and collage.
His large sculpture piece “Out of the Sky: 9/11,” a tribute to the tragedy, was featured in a 2013 exhibition. It piqued the attention of Museum Director Brian Kennedy, and the exhibit concept was born.
After meeting with the artist and seeing other exhibitions, curator Tom Loeffler was challenged to come up with a unique way of presenting Pfeiffer’s work. “I wanted the exhibit to be specific to Toledo,” he said. “We decided to focus on his works of art on paper, something that had never been featured to this extent in any other exhibition.” Drawn, Cut & Layered is an impressive showcase of 200 pieces.
“The exhibit was challenging to place because there are a lot of moving elements in his work,” Loeffler explained. “The piece near the entrance to the exhibit includes seven stacks of books, five feet high . . . then we also have small pieces that are just an inch by two inches or so.” Since Pfieffer typically works in series format, the exhibition is organized to enhance the viewer’s understanding of his process.
This variety will add to the experience, as will the accompanying exhibit, Werner Pfeiffer Selects, a display of influential art and artists selected by Pfeiffer. Pieces in the Selects exhibit include a wealth of 20th-century artists who shared a focus on typography, design, and challenging the norm. Pfeiffer will also teach two sold-out workshops; one for University of Toledo students and one for the public.
Drawn, Cut & Layered. Through May 3,
Toledo Museum of Art Canaday Gallery, 2445 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org.
Admission is free.