Lilly exhibit displays ‘sustain•ability’

From a handwritten letter by Henry David Thoreau to John Ford’s Oscar for his film adaptation of Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath,” the Lilly Library’s Themester-related exhibit allows people to experience sustainability through recent centuries.

Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, “Straw Leaves, Table-Bugs, and Birch-Bark Poems: Sustainability at the Lilly Library,” is curated by English professor Christoph Irmscher and features two pieces from his own collection as well as pieces from the Lilly’s archives.

All of the pieces serve to go along with the Themester theme of “sustain•ability.”

“The exhibit makes clear that thinking about the environment did not start 10 years ago,” Irmscher said. “We have a piece from 1791 that shows people were thinking actively about the damage people do to the environment. It’s not something we just
figured out.”

The collection spans four centuries with pieces as contemporary as 2008. The exhibit features books, manuscripts, photographs, letters and an Oscar.

“Anyone can ask for a letter and someone will bring it to you so you can read it,” Irmscher said. “It’s not a copy, and it’s not laminated. You can hold an Oscar and take a photo with it if you feel so inclined.”

Michael Hamburger, geological sciences professor and coordinator of the Themester faculty committee, said the exhibit “integrates arts and humanities into the theme” and adds a different facet to sustainability.

“A lot of people think sustainability is the study of climate change and environmental policy,” he said. “This show solidifies the importance of arts and philosophies in helping us understand human’s relationship to nature.”

Director of the Lilly Library Breon Mitchell said the theme of sustainability was perfect for the Lilly.

“That’s what we’re about — to try to preserve, conserve, take care of and ensure that future generations can find safely the manuscripts we acquire,” he said. “Books and ideas need conservation just like parts of nature.”

By offering a long-term view at sustainability, Irmscher said he hopes to make a point
about sustainability.

“Knowing someone in 1864 was thinking about sustainability gives us an obligation,” he said. “It makes it harder to ignore.”

Mitchell said he likes being a part of the Themester, and that the library hopes to continue offering exhibits associated with each year’s theme.

“We enjoy being a part of the community and students’ lives,” he said. “The collection is large enough that we believe we’ll always be able to have an appropriate display. We hope to be a part of it as long as the Themester continues.”