Englewood Artist Irmari Nacht to Speak at Rutgers Symposium

Local artist Irmari Nacht will be among the presenters at the 19th annual New Jersey Book Arts Symposium "The Uninvited Book" next month at Rutgers State University. 

Nacht, of Englewood, will discuss how she gets the inspiration for her art at this day-long event which presents contemporary work by living New Jersey book artists showcasing the great variety of work in the book art field. The event includes panel discussions, workshops and scholarly papers on topics relating to the history of books. 

Nacht's work has been exhibited in every major museum in the state as well as in corporate and public collections. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and has received two New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowships in Sculpture. She received a second Puffin Foundation Grant for "Who Am I?" an interactive project where the viewer becomes part of the artwork. 
Irmari Nacht’s recycled books, a series entitled “SAVED”, uses books that otherwise might be discarded and transforms them into artworks. 
The books are cut, sometimes into slivers which curl and undulate, and return to the tree-like shape from which the paper was made. Often painted, folded, wetted, and re-formed, they have changed from utilitarian objects to sculptural objects capable of many interpretations. This artwork, using the book as a metaphor, addresses environmental concerns, change and transformation, information received and denied, altered reality, as well as the concept of multiple imagery, which highlights the strength and energy of repeated elements.
Nacht said in a statement, "We are all affected by changes in the environment and are beginning to realize the need to recycle to protect our future. I hope my work will increase awareness of these changes and will get people thinking about recycling, reusing, and reimaging."
"The Uninvited Book" symposium is set for Friday, Nov. 1 at the Alexander Library, Rutgers, State University in New Brunswick. The event begins at 8:45 a.m. with registration and will continue throughout the day.
For further information, contact mjoseph@rutgers.edu.