Index

Title Search on Plastic*s

Penn State University Libraries, 1504–2015


C-Print, 106 × 115 cm, Pennsylvania, 2016

All books with the word »plastic« in the title held by Penn State University libraries—a total of 1951 volumes—were borrowed in a collective book move and arranged chronologically. For one week, the library was made »plastic free«.
The carefully-chosen book titles which form the front row of the photo traces the evolution of plastics as a master material of imitation from its way into the microcosms. As the decades of the twentieth century unfold, the titles touch on mass production, war materials, multinational corporations, Tupperware, plastic surgery, plastic money, plastic art, plastic oceans, recycling and printing in 3D.
The book collection takes on resonance from its setting, revealing a university library’s collection pattern which is one key educator for petroleum processing industries.

Title Search on Plastic*s, C-Print, 106 × 115 cm
Katrin Hornek Title Search on Plastic*s
detail
Katrin Hornek Title Search on Plastic*s
detail
Katrin Hornek Title Search on Plastic*s
detail
Katrin Hornek Title Search on Plastic*s
Katrin Hornek Title Search on Plastic*s

All books with the word »plastic« in the title held by Penn State University libraries—a total of 1951 volumes—were borrowed in a collective book move and arranged chronologically. For one week, the library was made »plastic free«.
The carefully-chosen book titles which form the front row of the photo traces the evolution of plastics as a master material of imitation from its way into the microcosms. As the decades of the twentieth century unfold, the titles touch on mass production, war materials, multinational corporations, Tupperware, plastic surgery, plastic money, plastic art, plastic oceans, recycling and printing in 3D.
The book collection takes on resonance from its setting, revealing a university library’s collection pattern which is one key educator for petroleum processing industries.