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    Have you taken a selfie today?  Do you know what a selfie is?  According to Urbandictionary.com, one definition of a selfie is “a picture taken of yourself that is planned to be uploaded to Facebook, Myspace or any other sort of social networking website.”  Did you know that the ever-popular “selfie” already existed hundreds of years ago?

    At the University of Louisville, the free, public exhibit “Selfies in Art History” is currently running in The Bridwell Art Library inside Schneider Hall on the Belknap campus.  The idea behind this unique exhibition came from an undergraduate student, Blake Schreiner, who wanted to expose the modern “selfie” theme in past artworks.  As Sarah Carter, the director of the art library, explains, the concept of this show is to demonstrate how the “selfie” was utilized by artists throughout history to portray their physical state as well as their psychological state.  These historic selfies were meant to invite their audience to delve deeper into the minds of the artists.

     

    This exhibit consists of two glass cases of rare books opened to pages displaying the self-portraits of various artists such as Frida Kahlo and Gustavo Courbet.  There is also a dedicated shelf with books on modern artists and self-portraiture that are free to be handled and leafed through.  There are mini postcards and pins with self-portraits of different artists free to the public as a little piece of art history that they can take home.

    The particularly special part of this show is the audience’s ability to become part of the display.  Up till February 13th, the art library had been accepting “shelfies” in which a selfie is taken while holding a favorite book or in front of a favorite bookshelf.  Starting February 16th, many of these “shelfies” will be hung up around the art library.  Ms. Carter stated that they have received submissions from outside the Louisville area.  

    The entire show will be up through March 7

    Monday-Thursday 8a.m.-9p.m.

    Friday 8a.m.-5p.m.

    Saturday 12p.m.-5p.m.

    Sunday 1p.m.-9p.m.

    Photo Courtesy of Irena Tran 

     

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    About Irena Tran

    I studied Art at UofL and now physical therapy at Bellarmine University. I love art, sports, and good food. I'm always looking for something new to try and new concepts to photograph!

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