Cara Barer: Bibliomania
Burgundy, 2015Archival pigment print
36 x 36 inches
$4,600
Reception:
Saturday, May 18th, 4pm - 6pm
Exhibition on View:
May 18th - June 22nd, 2024
Cara Barer's unique artistic process involves sculpting and dyeing books, then photographing them in beautiful abstract compositions. Through her artistry, Barer not only breathes new life into old books but also initiates a dialogue about the evolving nature of physical books in today's digital age.
Reflecting on her creative journey, Barer shares, "I transform books into art by sculpting them, dyeing them, and then through the medium of photography presenting them anew as objects of beauty. I create a record of that book and its half-life."
Each book Barer works with tells a story, guiding her artistic process based on its size, paper type, and content. From soaking a Windows 95 Manual in a bathtub to discovering outdated reference books in abandoned houses, Barer's work is a testament to the beauty found in the unexpected and the overlooked. Viewers are prompted to contemplate the concept of obsolescence and the evolving role of libraries in the digital era. Through her art, Barer raises important questions about the future of physical books and the enduring value they hold in an increasingly digitized world.
Cara Barer has exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the US and Canada since 1994. Her work has been featured extensively in such publications as New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Harper’s Magazine, The Boston Globe and The New Yorker, and can be found in the collections of Bloomingdale’s, Saks, Lehigh University, Nordstrom, United States Embassy, Kyiv, Ukraine, VISA, Wells Fargo Bank and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Barer lives and works in Houston, Texas.
Join us for the opening reception with the artist on Saturday, May 18th, from 4pm to 6pm at Catherine Couturier Gallery!
*All work is priced as framed.
