A Living Library: New Model for Global Electronic Interactivity and Networking in the Garden

Abstract

Sherk’s project concerns the development of an interactive living library that promotes greater understanding among people and allows for the integration of diverse cultural and ecological forms around the globe. Her project has been to locate such a library in a site specific public land, and in doing so, to conceptually transform and transvalue the use of urban space. Sherk is especially sensitive to something that is easily overlooked, namely, that in our society we have a limited cultural repertoire for what public space can or ought to be. Especially in America, public spaces are often meant to be vacant zones that surround buildings like moats. Reclaiming these urban deserts is central to her work as an artist.