National Archives at Philadelphia

Archives Alchemy Exhibit

Archives Alchemy - Quilt 1

Exhibit at the National Archives at Philadelphia

Refer to Caption Curtain of Red Tape (overview), by Sally Lilychild Willowbee
Refer to Caption Curtain of Red Tape (detail), by Sally Lilychild Willowbee

Archives Alchemy was an innovative collaboration between the National Archives at Philadelphia and the Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia. The first is a Federal government agency; the second is a loose collective of found-object artists.

The art was made from debris and materials the National Archives staff identified during recent renovations, and while processing records (when archivists preserve and describe records so they can be used by researchers). Staff identified the materials as non-archival. These materials include:

  • Reproductions and enlargements of documents from past exhibits
  • Unsold posters and post cards
  • Volumes from our ad hoc reference collection
  • Microfilm publications
  • Post-hole binders from dis-bound records
  • Leather and cloth book spines and covers that have fallen off due to usual wear and tear
  • Unused blank forms
  • Red, white, pink and grey tape from unbundled records
Refer to Caption Family, by Joel Spivak
Refer to Caption Hope, by Sara Benowitz

The artists supplemented these materials with objects in their own stashes.

The exhibit opened on January 10, 2014, marking the re-opening of the renovated public research room at our Market Street facility. Over 200 guests celebrated with National Archives staff and the artists! The exhibit was displayed at the former National Archives at Philadelphia location in the Nix Federal Courthouse and Post Office building until July 25, 2014 (our facility is now located at 14700 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154).

This is the second collaboration initiated by the National Archives in Philadelphia. At the beginning of the renovations, members of the Philadelphia Center for the Book used book spines and covers and red tape to interpret archival holdings. Items from that exhibit Libro Curio are on our Facebook page.

 

Refer to Caption We the People...Fashion 2014, by Eva J Preston
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