Art Exhibition At Rutgers University, Newark, Builds Understanding of Self-Inflicted Violence

These Glass Books Tell A Different Type of Story

(Newark, N.J.) – Visitors to the John Cotton Dana Library expect to see books – but not like these.  Beginning Nov. 6 through Dec. 22, the library at Rutgers University in Newark is exhibiting glass sculptures from “the GlassBook Project,” an imaginative and evocative way to focus attention on responses to trauma that survivors experience, such as self-inflicted violence. The free exhibition, created by Rutgers students as artists’ interpretations of that experience, is open during regular library hours in the lobby at Dana Library, on the Rutgers campus in Newark, at 185 University Ave.

Self Realization, by Sophia SobersThe books made of glass are the result of a Department of Arts, Culture and Media class assignment that evolved far beyond anything that Instructor Nick Kline might have imagined.  It has led to development of the GlassBook Project — a program of the national nonprofit organization Witness Justice and the Department of Arts, Culture and Media — designed to facilitate a nationwide collaboration between universities, mental health organizations and trauma survivors to address responses to psychological trauma.  Along the way, the student projects became the centerpiece exhibition in Hollywood’s Paramount Theater during the annual Voice Awards.

The saga began last January, when Kline asked students in his book arts class to learn about the impacts of trauma, how survivors respond, and, specifically, why some survivors deliberately injure themselves. They then created glass books reflecting the experiences of the victims and what the students learned. The students met with survivors and mental health experts, then turned to the GlassRoots glassmaking studios in Newark, working with Kate Dowd to learn how to translate their ideas into the reality of  glass books. They then used GlassRoots’ facilities to create their books; the entire process took only four weeks. Kline plans a similar project next semester.

In addition to being the central exhibit at October’s Voice Awards — which honor television and movie writers and producers for presenting realistic, dignified portrayals of people with mental health problems — the glass books have been exhibited across the country.  “The books have been exhibited in a few of the most respected mental health conferences around the country, and last week we did an interview with Mental Health Weekly,” notes Kline. “In a special issue published Oct. 26, called ‘Innovations,’ the GlassBook Project is highlighted as one of five mental health projects in the country that are innovative!”

 These exhibits have sparked nationwide interest, especially among the state departments of mental health in Illinois, Ohio, Mississippi, and Wisconsin. Each has provided letters of interest and support, hoping the project might expand to include their state’s related issues and perspective, while other states also have expressed interest.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provided a grant to develop an adaptable national curriculum, create a brochure and exhibit the books at their museum in the federal office building this past summer, states Kline, adding, “SAMHSA is also reviewing our proposal to implement the Project across the nation.”

One of Kline’s students, Samantha Glovin, is creating a documentary film on the project. Another, Nora Luongo, created the initial GlassBook Project website.

For more information, see http://www.glassbookproject.org/ and http://www.witnessjustice.org/

Media Contact: Carla Capizzi
973/353-5263
E-mail: capizzi@rutgers.edu