Inspired by a story by Czech writer Bohumil Hrabal, Czech photographer Hana Hamplová created a memorable body of work during the 1970s based on how important paper and the written word are to civilization—including how easily writings and, consequently knowledge, can be lost. This exhibition, consisting of 19 photographs from UMMA’s collection, was inspired by the presence of the Frank Gehry chair made of cardboard in UMMA’s Design Gallery, and of and the need to address how artists from different cultures (present-day America and communist Czechoslovakia) view a commodity as common as paper.
Lead support for the exhibition Meditations on Paper: Hana Hamplova is provided by the Herbert W. and Susan L. Johe Endowment. Additional generous support is provided by the University of Michigan Center for European Studies, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, and the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies.
Images
Hana Hamplová, Untitled, 1980, gelatin silver print, UMMA, Gift of Mrs. Marion Hrebek Keys, 1990/1.236
Hana Hamplová, Untitled, 1981, gelatin silver print, UMMA, Gift of Mrs. Marion Hrebek Keys, 1990/1.253
Hana Hamplová, Untitled, 1981, gelatin silver print, UMMA, Gift of Mrs. Marion Hrebek Keys, 1990/1.240
Hana Hamplová, Untitled, 1980, gelatin silver print, UMMA, Gift of Mrs. Marion Hrebek Keys, 1990/1.239
Hana Hamplová, Untitled, 1980, gelatin silver print, UMMA, Gift of Mrs. Marion Hrebek Keys, 1990/1.230