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ALUMINUM:  Sheen of Sliver, Weight of Air

1998 - 1999 Traveling Exhibit
Developed by the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle
Curated by Lloyd Herman


Seattle -  Aluminum, the miracle alloy so ubiquitous in modern life, was
once prized more highly than gold.  Story has it that Louis IV threw out his
gold dinner service to replace it with one of aluminum -- at the time the
rarest  of metal alloys!

Today, aluminum is everywhere, and is one of the first materials to be
recycled widely.  Not only is it used for beverage cans, but for automobile
parts, bicycle frames, manufacturing components in housing and aircraft, and
products for domestic use.  However, few realize that aluminum has become
widely used by artists and craftspeople as a medium for self-expression.
ALUMINUM:  Sheen of Silver, Weight of Air would examine the historical
beginnings of aluminum and its evolution into an irreplaceable material in
modern life.  Then, through objects chosen for their visual ingenuity and
beauty, the exhibition would in establish how artists have made aluminum
their material of choice for contemporary jewelry, furniture, sculpture,
tablewares, and even rugs and fabrics.

What's included:
The exhibition checklist will include about  70 objects, including 10 in an
introductory section on aluminum's historical development, 10 or more that
show innovations and experiments such as the aluminum violin and an aluminum
automobile, and 50 that would exemplify the contemporary maker's unique
investigation of the metal's properties and aesthetic.  Text panels and
photomurals would introduce sections, showing scenes of factory production
of beverage cans, casting of aluminum engine blocks or other large-scale
objects, and manipulation of aluminum into contemporary furniture or jewelry.

The Museum of History and Industry solicits interest in a national tour of
ALUMINUM.  Bookings would be offered in 10-week slots starting in the summer
of 1998.  Please indicate a contact name and preferred dates.  Thank you.

Please respond off-list to :    Sheryl K. Stiefel, Deputy Director
                        Museum of History and Industry
                        [log in to unmask]
Deadline:       June 30,1996