To celebrate Banned Books Week, the D.C. Public Library will present 13 works by local artists on the theme of censorship and inspired by books that school districts, libraries, and bookstores have deemed inappropriate for consumption.
The paintings, sculptures, video projections and mixed media installations are on display through October 15 at the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library as part of UNCENSORED: The Art Exhibition.
Some pieces represent general statements about censorship, like a burned pedestal that signifies the Nazi tactic of censoring by burning art and books. Others are more book-specific. Megan McNitt, a DCPL librarian and artist, created a series of somewhat abstractionist paintings inspired by the oft-challenged Lord of the Flies. “As a painter, I express myself through images,” she says in the exhibit program booklet. “As a librarian, I recognize the need for independent thinking and freedom of speech.”
The installations were unveiled Friday evening at a preview party in the downtown library’s Great Hall where guests were entertained by a go-go orchestra as they sampled censorship-inspired cocktails. Chantel Tseng of Mockingbird Hill, and spouse to party co-host Derek Brown, poured a classic sherry flip, a rich concoction of cream sherry, heavy, cream, nutmeg, and eggs. Her drink choice was an homage to the children’s book In the Night Kitchen, where protagonist Mickey’s dream has him floating naked before getting covered in cake batter. Cocktail historian Phil Greene, author of a cocktail companion book about Ernest Hemingway who had more than a few of his works labeled as objectionable, was on hand mixing up a Hemingway daiquiri.
The exhibition and a evening preview party were put together by both DCPL and the D.C. Public Library Foundation, a complementary non-profit that raises resources and promotes literacy, learning, and cultural programming at the D.C. libraries. Several in attendance Friday evening were members of the Literati, a membership group for library supporters. Memberships at the $50 level grant reserved seating at public events like the popular District of Change conversation series. And exclusive invitations, like chances to sip craft cocktails where during the day whispers, are required.
