On view at Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza Lobby Gallery:
September 5 –October 13, 2002

Reception at five myles: Saturday, September 21, 3:30-6pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, September 21, 2pm

steel books

Gene Flores

fivemyles has curated an exhibition of steel books by the sculptor Gene Flores for the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. The books are exhibited in the Lobby Gallery and the Balcony Exhibition cases.

When open the books vary in size from 2 x 12 in. to 36 x 96 in.; the pages in each book number between 2 to 12. The booksare made from steel plate that is torch-cut and welded. These are books without words. The pages symbolize landscapes. Gene Flores’ uses a welder’s torch like a Sumi painter uses his brush. One pass over the steel and a river runs across the page. These cuts invoke a narrative of erosion, change and return.

Gene Flores has worked with steelsince 1957. His large-scale kinetic sculptures have beeninstalledat Socrates Sculpture Park in New York, Wanas International Sculpture Park in Sweden, aspermanent public sculpturein Lodz, Poland, and other venues. His steel books have been exhibited throughout the U.S. and in Europe.

The Brooklyn Public Library has developed an exciting exhibition program, exemplified bytherecent partnership with Public Art Fund and the success of the Pie for a Passerby event by artist Anissa Mackin June.

In 2000 fivemyles curated three consecutive installations in the library’s Lobby Gallery and is presently organizing exhibitions of contemporary work from Kenya and Ethiopia for the Brooklyn Public Library, the Salena Gallery at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, and fivemyles.

DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.