Photo by: Rachel Roark
We come to know professors and staff members in a professional manner, but what are these people like outside the classroom and off campus?
“The Faculty Collects: An Exhibition of Objects that Inspire, Incite and Inform” is currently at the Victoria H. Myhren Gallery. The exhibit offers a glimpse into faculty and staff’s personal interests and lives. The exhibit encompasses 16 collections from DU faculty and staff. There is a wide range of types of collections and even mundane everyday objects are made intriguing. The idea for the exhibit grew out of conversations among the Faculty Gallery Committee, Catherine Chauvin, Annabeth Headrick, Laleh Mehran and Roddy MacInness.
A must-see display at the exhibit is Sarah Gjertson’s collection of antique vibrators. Gjertson is an associate professor in the School of Art and Art History (SAAH) and became interested in collecting vibrators while researching hysteria. Vibrators were introduced in the 1800s and vibration was thought to alleviate hysteria, as well as things like fatigue and constipation. All of the electric vibrators in her collection still work. Check it out to see where the modern vibrator had its origins.
Another very entertaining display is Christopher Coleman’s collection of airplane safety guides. Coleman is an assistant professor in the Media, Film and Journalism Studies department and he started collecting these items after 9/11. These are insightful because they are not supposed to be removed from the plane, however, information they offer about societal procedures and how we depict emergencies becomes evident in a way one would not have noticed glancing through them in an airplane. Take a look at the different drawing and photograph styles in the guides, as well as how different genders and ethnicities are represented.
Some of the objects are ordinary but do not make for ordinary collector items. The Coordinator of the Academic Program at SAAH, Jason Kellermeyer collects Popsicle sticks. They are displayed on a table top and Kellermeyer invites gallery-goers to play. Most of the sticks are from Popsicles he personally ate although some are from others and they are mostly from his teen years.
A very personal but compelling collection is that of Roddy MacInness, the associate professor of photography in SAAH. He collects keys from motels to explore the loneliness and anxiety of long-distance motel living. Accompanying the many keys with brightly colored tags, is a series of photographs MacInness took at various motels and campsites while working as a geologist based in Canada. The color photographs beautifully illuminate how lonely the human experience can be and allows viewers a glimpse into MacInness’ past.
Susan Meyer collects small ceramics, sculptures, objects and cacti with her husband and they decorate their home with these items. Meyer is a lecturer in the SAAH. A small sample of the collection is on display in the gallery like it would be in the Meyer’s home and viewers get a glance into the Meyer’s creative world.
The exhibit will be open through April 25. There is no cost and it is open noon to 4 p.m. daily.
