University Museum unifies art and science

When you hear the word "museum," you might imagine art or science. But from Sept. 13 to Dec. 23, the University Museum will present both, in an exhibit titled "Object as Subject."

A reception will take place to celebrate the opening of the exhibit at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the University Museum.

The idea for the exhibit came from local artist Scott Hudson, who had previously worked in the field of natural history. After presenting a woodcarving demonstration at the University Museum, he was inspired to organize an exhibit which would integrate both art and cultural studies.

Hudson assembled a number of accomplished local artists with a wide variety of skills. The artists were taken  into the museum's collections room where all of the artifacts and items not currently on display are kept. Each artist chose an item that inspired them.

The artworks produced by the artists range from sculptures to video art to a musical composition. Each piece of art will be presented next to the item from which it was conceived.

Culture and art naturally go together;  you can't have one without the other, said Jori Wade-Booth, the University Museum's public affairs coordinator.