Diversity, Change, & Connection
After returning from my first ARLIS/NA conference, I realize that I have just participated in a very special event, one that has helped fashion individuals in this field over the past 28 years. What an incredible whirlwind introduction to the national chapter this trip was! So many things to do, so little time, and only so much your feet can take. I was overwhelmed by the hospitable nature of ARLIS members. On several occasions, I found myself being introduced to strangers by strangers, but feeling as if I was part of something in which there were no outsiders. Another aspect of the generosity that pervaded the conference was the sharing of knowledge, not only through sessions and panels, but informally at lunch or in the hall as well. As the beneficiary of a generous chapter, I should have known better.
The city of Pittsburgh served as a fabulous host and backdrop for this year's convention, providing a wide array of activities. The view from the conference hotel provided an impressive view of the convergence of the city's famous three rivers: the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio. Most amazing were the ever-present bridges that span the three rivers. A wide variety of tours provided a fabulous way to explore the diversity of this city, including: Pittsburgh architecture, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh Glass, the Frick Art and Historical Center, as well as ventures to Fallingwater and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Pittsburgh also features a variety of excellent local restaurants and historic sites.
A theme that ran through many sessions during the conference was the element of change in our field. In "Taming the Untamable: Art Related Indexes in a Changing Environment," the issues of evolving formats, changing vocabularies, varying search capabilities, and altered interfaces arose. Ask ARLIS session, "The Art Librarian in the 21st Century" devoted its discussion to the subject of change, noting that our field must meet the challenges of disappearing boundaries in the electronic age, the impact of automation on the design of facilities, as well as the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of art history. Statements by several art historians jarred our previous assumptions and may change the way we view certain subjects in the future. In his brilliant convocation speech, Thomas Sokolowski, Director of the Andy Warhol Museum, questioned our accepted notions about the life of Caravaggio, suggesting that the reality of his life may have been far different from our current understanding. During the membership luncheon, speaker Franklin Toker, President Emeritus of the Society of Architectural Historians, called into question the view of Edgar J. Kaufmann, Jr. as the catalyst for Fallingwater. Lastly, Dr. Abigail Van Slyck, Director or Architectural Studies, Connecticut College dispelled the notion that Andrew Carnegie's unprecedented philanthropy was driven by any sense of guilt. She posited that he was simply fulfilling a deeply held sense of Protestant obligation to serve society with his wealth. Even with change as a heavy presence at the conference, ARLIS members remained positive and upbeat about the challenges that face them in the future.
During the conference, I volunteered to serve at the registration desk. This proved to be a good way to meet fellow members and provided me with an opportunity to offer something in return. Additionally, it quickly made me aware of conference essentials - the bathroom, the Internet room, anything free, and "How can I get rid of this 50 lb. basket for the auction?" (not necessarily in that order).
This experience would not have been possible without the financial support of ARLIS/Texas-Mexico's Lois Swan Jones Professional Development Award, which I am honored to have received this year. It was a special treat to meet Lois, herself. I would like to thank the committee for selecting me. Additionally, I would like to express my appreciation to the entire membership for its ongoing financial support of this award, which is exceedingly important to the future of this chapter.
I look forward to seeing all of you in Houston for our upcoming chapter meeting in October.
With much appreciation,
Jon Evans