Judith Hoffman |
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Artist-in-residence Judith Hoffman makes artist books and pinhole cameras (among other creative endeavors). In experimenting with various photographic techniques, she has found the museum, its exhibits, and little worlds to be an inspiring subject. The results capture a dreamy essence of the museum. She says:
We all know, at least in theory, that life is not static. Change occurs constantly and the world is new again and again. The
Zymoglyphic Museum is the perfect example of this. Its displays are
constantly evolving. The museum staff doesn't try to fight this trend;
instead, they embrace it. Many of the displays contain objects that are
rusty, or made of dirt or decaying objects. There is no effort to
stabilize the displays. Things decay as time passes. Little pools of
rust or dirt fall around the base of some of the objects and become as
much a part of the museum as the original object. Dust, cobwebs and
blown-in leaves accumulate.
When it's not open for visitors, the Zymoglyphic Museum is a dark and shadowy place. Light comes in a single window and illuminates a jumble of mysterious objects waiting to be placed in their display cases. With their interior lights off, the dioramas are dark windows, with
shadowy figures behind.
Over the years the museum has taken on its own personality, just as
each person does. It is made of some deep thoughts, some random junk
and some accumulated stuff that may or may not be valuable. It is a
place to meditate on life and death. The exhibits are not about
"Xenophora", for example, but about how life progresses, its wonders
and mysteries, how we change over the years, becoming both wiser and a
little crusty, and how even the lowliest insect or a decayed leaf can be
beautiful and mysterious.
Ongoing "Defining Zymoglyphic"
Our A-i-R grapples with the elusive question of what qualifies an object to be considered for admission to the museum
When I handed him the rotten wood and he accepted it, I felt victorious
Sept. 19, 2021 "Zymoglyphic Residents at the 1122 Gallery"
Review of the Museum as Muse show featuring the artists of the museum's summer residency program
Feb 21, 2018 "What is it like to be married to the Zymoglyphic Museum?"
Mrs. Zymoglyphic answers the FAQ "What does your wife think about this?"
I am a student of the Zymoglyphic way
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| Zymo 127 is a custom-made pinhole camera that was designed to explore the museum's dioramas and come back with its findings. The dreamy photos were compiled into a magnificent artist's book, "Spirits under Glass." More information and images here | ||
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| These photographs were taken in the parlor aquarium using a "through the viewfinder" technique. The full set has been made into an artist's book. | |||
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| Also in the parlor aquarium, this time using a matchbox pinhole camera and color film. Featured in the Museum of Dust | |||
