{"id":900,"date":"2025-12-01T17:29:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T17:29:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/?p=900"},"modified":"2025-12-01T17:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T17:33:09","slug":"curator-qa-with-damien-ihrig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2025\/12\/01\/curator-qa-with-damien-ihrig\/","title":{"rendered":"Curator Q&amp;A with Damien Ihrig"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit\/paper-engineering\/\"><em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em><\/a>, the fall 2025 exhibition in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/\">Main Library Gallery<\/a>, features an array of unique items from University of Iowa Libraries collections that share the history of paper technologies and movable books. A significant number of books on display are from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/hardin\/rare-book-room\/\">John Martin Rare Book Room<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/hardin\/\">Hardin Library for the Health Sciences<\/a>. Damien Ihrig, curator of the John Martin Rare Book Room, co-curated the exhibition with Giselle Sim\u00f3n and Elizabeth Yale.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;core&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t{ &quot;image&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t\t{   &quot;imageLoaded&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;initialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;hideAnimationEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;preloadInitialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxAnimation&quot;: &quot;zoom&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageUploadedSrc&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422.jpg&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageCurrentSrc&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetWidth&quot;: &quot;1387&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;1387&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;scaleAttr&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;dialogLabel&quot;: &quot;Enlarged image&quot;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\" data-wp-interactive class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" data-wp-effect--setStylesOnResize=\"effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize\" data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-init=\"effects.core.image.initOriginImage\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"actions.core.image.handleLoad\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Damien Ihrig in front of bookshelves.\" class=\"wp-image-902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/dihrig_20220422.jpg 1387w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge image: Portrait of Damien Ihrig in front of bookshelves.\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"context.core.image.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"context.core.image.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig, curator of the John Martin Rare Book Room at Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.<\/figcaption>        <div data-wp-body=\"\" class=\"wp-lightbox-overlay zoom\"\n            data-wp-bind--role=\"selectors.core.image.roleAttribute\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"selectors.core.image.dialogLabel\"\n            data-wp-class--initialized=\"context.core.image.initialized\"\n            data-wp-class--active=\"context.core.image.lightboxEnabled\"\n            data-wp-class--hideAnimationEnabled=\"context.core.image.hideAnimationEnabled\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"selectors.core.image.ariaModal\"\n            data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.initLightbox\"\n            data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.core.image.handleKeydown\"\n            data-wp-on--touchstart=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchStart\"\n            data-wp-on--touchmove=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchMove\"\n            data-wp-on--touchend=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchEnd\"\n            data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\"\n            tabindex=\"-1\"\n            >\n                <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close\" style=\"fill: #000\" class=\"close-button\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13 11.8l6.1-6.3-1-1-6.1 6.2-6.1-6.2-1 1 6.1 6.3-6.5 6.7 1 1 6.5-6.6 6.5 6.6 1-1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/button>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Portrait of Damien Ihrig in front of bookshelves.\" class=\"wp-image-902\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig, curator of the John Martin Rare Book Room at Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Portrait of Damien Ihrig in front of bookshelves.\" class=\"wp-image-902\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig, curator of the John Martin Rare Book Room at Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the following questions and answers, Damien shares his thoughts on curating for the Main Library Gallery and some of his favorite discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What inspired you to co-curate this exhibition?<\/strong><br><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Our anatomical flap books from the John Martin Rare Book Room (JMRBR) engage with users in ways that other illustrated books in the collection do not. They have been used in isolated exhibits, but never in an exhibit of this size and scope. I jumped at the chance when Giselle approached me with the proposal to include some of our flap books in a Main Library Gallery exhibit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: As a curator, what does this exhibit mean to you personally?<\/strong><del><br><\/del><strong>A:<\/strong> I really get a kick out of folks interacting with the JMRBR books, especially if it\u2019s for the first time. I\u2019m excited that this exhibit has allowed more folks to see these amazing books and to make historical and thematic connections with so many other great items from the UI Libraries collections. It was also an incredibly rewarding experience working on the exhibit with Beth and Giselle. We had a lot of fun researching and selecting items for the exhibit. It\u2019s been a great experience and I look forward to the next exhibit I have the opportunity to collaborate on.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;core&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t{ &quot;image&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t\t{   &quot;imageLoaded&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;initialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;hideAnimationEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;preloadInitialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxAnimation&quot;: &quot;zoom&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageUploadedSrc&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators.png&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageCurrentSrc&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetWidth&quot;: &quot;1244&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;928&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;scaleAttr&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;dialogLabel&quot;: &quot;Enlarged image&quot;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\" data-wp-interactive class=\"alignright size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" data-wp-effect--setStylesOnResize=\"effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize\" data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-init=\"effects.core.image.initOriginImage\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"actions.core.image.handleLoad\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators-300x224.png\" alt=\"Four people stand in front of a large table. On the table are several large folio books about medical history. The curators are deciding which to include in their exhibit.\" class=\"wp-image-904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators-1024x764.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Bill-with-Curators.png 1244w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge image: Four people stand in front of a large table. On the table are several large folio books about medical history. The curators are deciding which to include in their exhibit.\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"context.core.image.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"context.core.image.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Left to right: Damien Ihrig, Elizabeth Yale, Giselle Sim\u00f3n, and preparator Bill Voss reviewing items for inclusion in the exhibition. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption>        <div data-wp-body=\"\" class=\"wp-lightbox-overlay zoom\"\n            data-wp-bind--role=\"selectors.core.image.roleAttribute\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"selectors.core.image.dialogLabel\"\n            data-wp-class--initialized=\"context.core.image.initialized\"\n            data-wp-class--active=\"context.core.image.lightboxEnabled\"\n            data-wp-class--hideAnimationEnabled=\"context.core.image.hideAnimationEnabled\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"selectors.core.image.ariaModal\"\n            data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.initLightbox\"\n            data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.core.image.handleKeydown\"\n            data-wp-on--touchstart=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchStart\"\n            data-wp-on--touchmove=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchMove\"\n            data-wp-on--touchend=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchEnd\"\n            data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\"\n            tabindex=\"-1\"\n            >\n                <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close\" style=\"fill: #000\" class=\"close-button\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13 11.8l6.1-6.3-1-1-6.1 6.2-6.1-6.2-1 1 6.1 6.3-6.5 6.7 1 1 6.5-6.6 6.5 6.6 1-1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/button>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Four people stand in front of a large table. On the table are several large folio books about medical history. The curators are deciding which to include in their exhibit.\" class=\"wp-image-904\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Left to right: Damien Ihrig, Elizabeth Yale, Giselle Sim\u00f3n, and preparator Bill Voss reviewing items for inclusion in the exhibition. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Four people stand in front of a large table. On the table are several large folio books about medical history. The curators are deciding which to include in their exhibit.\" class=\"wp-image-904\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Left to right: Damien Ihrig, Elizabeth Yale, Giselle Sim\u00f3n, and preparator Bill Voss reviewing items for inclusion in the exhibition. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What are some of the most surprising things you learned during your research?<\/strong><br><strong>A: <\/strong>Some of the most surprising things for me while putting the exhibit together involved the ways items spoke to each other\u2014even across time and genre\u2014such that we could put more modern, glossy items next to items from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and draw functional or thematic parallels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What are some of your favorite objects in the exhibit?<\/strong><br><strong>A: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit-media\/catoptrum-microcosmicum-german1661\/\"><em>Catoptrum microcosmicum <\/em>[German], by Johann Remmelin<\/a>. Ulm: Printed by Johann Schultes Buchtrucker, published by Johann G\u00f6rlin Buchhandlers, 1661. [FOLIO QM21 .R45 1661], John Martin Rare Book Room.<br><br>This book by Johann Remmelin is one of my, admittedly many, favorites in the JMRBR collection and this exhibit. Earlier works had incorporated flaps of various kinds to demonstrate layers of anatomy; however, Remmelin was interested in creating a complete anatomy using flaps. His <em>Catoptrum microcosmicum <\/em>was originally published in 1619 (also in the JMRBR collection) and included nearly 120 flaps (although a version of this book was initially published in 1613 by a printer friend of his, even though Remmelin did not think the book was ready). Interestingly, Catoptrum microcosmicum demonstrates a moral conflict with the presentation of bodies, adding modesty flaps, sometimes in multiple layers, over genitalia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;core&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t{ &quot;image&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t\t{   &quot;imageLoaded&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;initialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;hideAnimationEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;preloadInitialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxAnimation&quot;: &quot;zoom&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageUploadedSrc&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636.jpeg&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageCurrentSrc&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetWidth&quot;: &quot;2048&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;1536&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;scaleAttr&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;dialogLabel&quot;: &quot;Enlarged image&quot;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\" data-wp-interactive class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-wp-effect--setStylesOnResize=\"effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize\" data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-init=\"effects.core.image.initOriginImage\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"actions.core.image.handleLoad\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"A book is open to a female figure that is made up of illustrated flaps. Each flap can be moved to reveal layers of the body, such as muscles, the nervous system, internal organs, and skeleton.\" class=\"wp-image-910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636-1568x1176.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_3636.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge image: A book is open to a female figure that is made up of illustrated flaps. Each flap can be moved to reveal layers of the body, such as muscles, the nervous system, internal organs, and skeleton.\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"context.core.image.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"context.core.image.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>De\u00a0vrouw:\u00a0haar\u00a0bouw\u00a0en\u00a0haar\u00a0inwendige\u00a0organen<\/em>\u00a0(<em>The Woman: Her Build and Internal Organs<\/em>), by Aletta H. Jacobs. Deventer: \u00c6.E. Kluwer, 1900. [RG121 .J3 1900], John Martin Rare\u00a0Book Room, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa Libraries. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption>        <div data-wp-body=\"\" class=\"wp-lightbox-overlay zoom\"\n            data-wp-bind--role=\"selectors.core.image.roleAttribute\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"selectors.core.image.dialogLabel\"\n            data-wp-class--initialized=\"context.core.image.initialized\"\n            data-wp-class--active=\"context.core.image.lightboxEnabled\"\n            data-wp-class--hideAnimationEnabled=\"context.core.image.hideAnimationEnabled\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"selectors.core.image.ariaModal\"\n            data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.initLightbox\"\n            data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.core.image.handleKeydown\"\n            data-wp-on--touchstart=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchStart\"\n            data-wp-on--touchmove=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchMove\"\n            data-wp-on--touchend=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchEnd\"\n            data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\"\n            tabindex=\"-1\"\n            >\n                <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close\" style=\"fill: #000\" class=\"close-button\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13 11.8l6.1-6.3-1-1-6.1 6.2-6.1-6.2-1 1 6.1 6.3-6.5 6.7 1 1 6.5-6.6 6.5 6.6 1-1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/button>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"A book is open to a female figure that is made up of illustrated flaps. Each flap can be moved to reveal layers of the body, such as muscles, the nervous system, internal organs, and skeleton.\" class=\"wp-image-910\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>De\u00a0vrouw:\u00a0haar\u00a0bouw\u00a0en\u00a0haar\u00a0inwendige\u00a0organen<\/em>\u00a0(<em>The Woman: Her Build and Internal Organs<\/em>), by Aletta H. Jacobs. Deventer: \u00c6.E. Kluwer, 1900. [RG121 .J3 1900], John Martin Rare\u00a0Book Room, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa Libraries. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"A book is open to a female figure that is made up of illustrated flaps. Each flap can be moved to reveal layers of the body, such as muscles, the nervous system, internal organs, and skeleton.\" class=\"wp-image-910\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>De\u00a0vrouw:\u00a0haar\u00a0bouw\u00a0en\u00a0haar\u00a0inwendige\u00a0organen<\/em>\u00a0(<em>The Woman: Her Build and Internal Organs<\/em>), by Aletta H. Jacobs. Deventer: \u00c6.E. Kluwer, 1900. [RG121 .J3 1900], John Martin Rare\u00a0Book Room, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa Libraries. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit-media\/de-vrouw-haar-bouw-en-haar-inwendige-organen-the-woman-her-build-and-internal-organs-1900\/\"><em>De vrouw: haar bouw en haar inwendige organen <\/em>(<em>The Woman: Her Build and Internal Organs<\/em>), by Aletta H. Jacobs<\/a>. Deventer: \u00c6.E. Kluwer, 1900. [RG121 .J3 1900], John Martin Rare Book Room.<br><br>I really like the story behind <em>De vrouw. <\/em>Aletta Jacobs was a pioneering 19th-century Dutch physician and social activist. Born in 1854 in the Netherlands, Jacobs chafed at the status quo and the limited educational opportunities for women in the Netherlands. From a young age, Jacobs was determined to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor like her father. At the time, though, women were barred from higher education. In 1871, she learned of a male student who had been granted admission to the University of Groningen based on his pharmacy diploma. Because she also had earned a pharmacy diploma, she was granted approval to attend medical school and became the first woman to enroll at Groningen. Despite many obstacles, she graduated in 1879, earning her medical degree.<br><br>Jacobs was also an unwavering campaigner for the health of women and children, as well as for suffrage and international peace. She wrote many articles and books, including De Vrouw, a short book about female anatomy. She was interested in making medical information easily accessible to laypeople, especially women who wanted to know more about their own anatomy. The flaps included in <em>De vrouw<\/em> are easy to manipulate and straightforward to use, but densely packed with information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit-media\/fragmentos-de-lluvia-a-graphic-score-2021\/\"><em>Fragmentos de Lluvia: A Graphic Score<\/em> (<em>Fragments of Rain<\/em>), by Mar\u00eda Carolina Ceballos<\/a>. Iowa City: Canto Press, 2021. x-Collection Oblong [FOLIO N7433.4.C3966 F73x 2021], Special Collections and Archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe <em>Fragmentos de Lluvia<\/em> embodies everything this exhibit represents. Ceballos has crafted a multisensory experience by manipulating paper into a multitude of forms, all of which are meant to be physically interacted with by the reader. Sound, visual, tactile, nature, memory, and even smell are all dimensions of information that <em>Fragmentos<\/em> elicits for the user. All with the same material, expertly crafted into a variety of forms, each of which can be manipulated in different ways to inform, delight, surprise, and inspire. Truly a paper engineering marvel!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;core&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t{ &quot;image&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t\t{   &quot;imageLoaded&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;initialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;hideAnimationEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;preloadInitialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxAnimation&quot;: &quot;zoom&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageUploadedSrc&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-scaled.jpg&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageCurrentSrc&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetWidth&quot;: &quot;2560&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;1920&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;scaleAttr&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;dialogLabel&quot;: &quot;Enlarged image&quot;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\" data-wp-interactive class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-wp-effect--setStylesOnResize=\"effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize\" data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-init=\"effects.core.image.initOriginImage\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"actions.core.image.handleLoad\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Curator Damien Ihrig stands in front of a display case and points at objects within. He is giving a guided tour to a group, and about 20 people are standing in the exhibit gallery listening to him speak.\" class=\"wp-image-912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Damien-Curator-Guided-Tour-Public-Fall-2025-1568x1176.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge image: Curator Damien Ihrig stands in front of a display case and points at objects within. He is giving a guided tour to a group, and about 20 people are standing in the exhibit gallery listening to him speak.\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"context.core.image.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"context.core.image.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig speaks to visitors in the Main Library Gallery during a public curator guided tour of <em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em>. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption>        <div data-wp-body=\"\" class=\"wp-lightbox-overlay zoom\"\n            data-wp-bind--role=\"selectors.core.image.roleAttribute\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"selectors.core.image.dialogLabel\"\n            data-wp-class--initialized=\"context.core.image.initialized\"\n            data-wp-class--active=\"context.core.image.lightboxEnabled\"\n            data-wp-class--hideAnimationEnabled=\"context.core.image.hideAnimationEnabled\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"selectors.core.image.ariaModal\"\n            data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.initLightbox\"\n            data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.core.image.handleKeydown\"\n            data-wp-on--touchstart=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchStart\"\n            data-wp-on--touchmove=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchMove\"\n            data-wp-on--touchend=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchEnd\"\n            data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\"\n            tabindex=\"-1\"\n            >\n                <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close\" style=\"fill: #000\" class=\"close-button\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13 11.8l6.1-6.3-1-1-6.1 6.2-6.1-6.2-1 1 6.1 6.3-6.5 6.7 1 1 6.5-6.6 6.5 6.6 1-1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/button>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Curator Damien Ihrig stands in front of a display case and points at objects within. He is giving a guided tour to a group, and about 20 people are standing in the exhibit gallery listening to him speak.\" class=\"wp-image-912\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig speaks to visitors in the Main Library Gallery during a public curator guided tour of <em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em>. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Curator Damien Ihrig stands in front of a display case and points at objects within. He is giving a guided tour to a group, and about 20 people are standing in the exhibit gallery listening to him speak.\" class=\"wp-image-912\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig speaks to visitors in the Main Library Gallery during a public curator guided tour of <em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em>. Photo: Sara Pinkham.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Is there anything especially unique about the juxtapositions you have made within the exhibit?<\/strong><del><br><\/del><strong>A:<\/strong> Seeing <em>Catoptrum microcosmicum<\/em>, a 17th-century work that helped establish flap technology in the anatomical sciences, paired with <em>Visionaire. 55, Surprise<\/em>, a glossy pop-up, is really fun. Pairing <em>Obstetric Tables<\/em>, a 19th-century obstetric book, with paper dolls is also interesting. Both of these demonstrate technological throughlines. They also inspire conversations about bodies and how our views of them have evolved over time.<br><br><strong>Q: What do you hope visitors will take away from their time in the exhibit?<\/strong><br><strong>A:<\/strong> Paper is much more than just a ream you buy from an office supply store. It is a technology that has supported, and continues to support, the communication of information in a rich variety of forms for centuries. And, anatomical flap books exist and are super cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em> invites visitors to explore paper dolls, flap books, pop-ups, tunnel books, volvelles, and books that use paper to make sounds while learning about their historical and contemporary significance. It is open to the public through Dec. 19, 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Paper-Engineering-Curators-during-Opening-Event-Sept-2025-1024x680.png\" alt=\"Curators Damien Ihrig, Beth Yale, and Giselle Simon stand in the Main Library Gallery. They are in front of the introduction panel for the exhibit, which is in vibrant pink, green, and blue hues.\" class=\"wp-image-915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Paper-Engineering-Curators-during-Opening-Event-Sept-2025-1024x680.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Paper-Engineering-Curators-during-Opening-Event-Sept-2025-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Paper-Engineering-Curators-during-Opening-Event-Sept-2025-768x510.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/12\/Paper-Engineering-Curators-during-Opening-Event-Sept-2025.png 1397w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Damien Ihrig, Elizabeth Yale, and Giselle Sim\u00f3n in the Main Library Gallery during the Sept. 2025 opening celebration for their exhibition, <em>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education<\/em>. Photo: Krista Hershberger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education, the fall 2025 exhibition in the Main Library Gallery, features an array of unique items from University of Iowa Libraries collections that share the history of paper technologies and movable books. A significant number of books on display are from the John Martin Rare Book Room at Hardin<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2025\/12\/01\/curator-qa-with-damien-ihrig\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">&#8220;Curator Q&amp;A with Damien Ihrig&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272,"featured_media":902,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,1],"tags":[22,31,2],"syndication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/272"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=900"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":920,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900\/revisions\/920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=900"},{"taxonomy":"syndication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/syndication?post=900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}