The Redwood City Library’s Family Place at its downtown branch has unveiled a new permanent art installation—but to see it, you’ll need to gaze upward.
Entitled “Free Verse,” the art installation by Kate Dodd looks to promote reading “as a mind expanding activity” by employing the use of illustrated children’s books that have been repurposed into vibrant collections of pictures and words that rise up toward the library’s skylight. Ultimately, the work is intended by the artist to be a “metaphor for what early exposure to books can do for developing minds,” per library personnel.
Dodd, who was commissioned by the library to create her work for the space, implemented some of Redwood City’s favorite children’s literature in it, as identified through records and children’s librarians. Some of the books that make a showing in the library’s new art installation include: A Bad Case of Stripes, David Shannon; Dreamers, Yuyi Morales; Freight Train, Donald Crews; Go, Dog. Go!, P. D. Eastman; Hooray for Birds!, Lucy Cousins; The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats; The Ugly Vegetables, Grace Lin; and Where The Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak.
Library personnel said they were inspired to commission Dodd to create an artwork for their space following her Incubator installation in the Redwood City Art Kiosk on Courthouse Square in March 2019.
“The library is grateful for the financial support of the Pete & Paula Uccelli Foundation, and the vision and guidance of Fung Collaboratives, without which this installation would not be possible,” stated library personnel.
The Redwood City Library’s downtown branch is located at 1044 Middlefield Rd. in Redwood City. Click here for more info.
Photo courtesy of Redwood City Library
