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Watertown Free Public Library j
Library Director
Leone E. Cole
TO: Trustees
FROM: Caitlin Browne,Assistant Director
DATE: November 28, 2018
RE: Patron Art Donation
Ruth Segaloff,a library patron,would like to donate her artwork to the library (see attached
correspondence).The work she would like to donate can be viewed online here
http://www.ruthsegaloff.com/gallery-3/gallery-2016/. I have also attached some images of the work for
your consideration.
The Collection Policy for An and Sculpture is attached for your review.
123 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472-4478
617.97z•6434 watertownlib.org
Ruqqeri-Koret, Natasha
From: RUTH SEGALOFF <ruth.segaloff@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday,November 01, 2018 5:19 PM
To: Browne, Caitlin
Subject: POTENTIAL GIFT OF AN ARTWORK: Fahrenheit 451 Revisited
Hi, Caitlin,
Some time ago, we were in touch about a potential art workshop that never came to fruition.
I can't even remember the organization(something like "Harvest")
This is on a totally different subject! In 2007, shortly after the "new" library re-opened, the Library selected
me to be one of the early Artists of the month. This was a wonderful opportunity to show my work
when I was literally a brand new artist.Now, at 74, when I'm nearing the end of my art career, I'm seeking
special programs/resources to find as 'permanent homes' for works that can give a wider audiences.
Fahrenheit 451 Revisited is a conceptual construction that belongs in a library&because of my special
affection for the WFPL, I'm hoping it will end up here.
Can you direct me to the staff member to whom I can meet to discuss this further?
Many thanks,
Ruth
Ruth T. Segaloff
Stories in Collage and Mixed Media
Gallery 2016
FAHRENHEIT 451 REVISITED
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This art construction is based on Ray Bradbury's 60 year old science fiction
novel, Fahrenheit 451, the temperature at which paper burns. A Totalitarian
Figure has declared that owning books is illegal because the truth would make
them unhappy.
In this turned upside down future world, firemen become burn squads instead
of fire fighters, wielding blow torches and flame throwers instead of water
hoses. Their job is to track down and destroy every book ever written. None of
the Fire Alarms in this society are functional & a pair of antique fire
extinguishers are merely decorative collectors' items.
A small group of dissidents hides in the forest and preserves this priceless
legacy by memorizing and becoming their favorite books. Thus, in their small
way, they keep alive the history of their civilization, culture and values-all the
qualities that makes people decent human beings.
The Trojan Horse updates the story to now. In the myth, what appeared to be a
gift, is actually an instrument of mass destruction. Placed here in this artwork,
it is a cautionary tale. It warns against dismissing the bedrock values of our
Founding Fathers and practices and ideals that have made America the envy
of the world. It also cautions that political promises of today are not to be
trusted.
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Alt works copyright 0 2014 Rutty Seploff
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COLLECTION POLICY FOR ART AND SCULPTURE
An offer of a gift of tangible property may be accepted initially and conditionally
on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Watertown Public Library with the
understanding that the following rules shall ordinarily govern:
1. The acceptance of such gifts shall not involve significant additional expense for
their present or future use, display maintenance, or administration unless such
expenses are covered by funds provided for this purpose.
2. No conditions may be imposed, relating to any gift after its acceptance.
3. Tangible gifts shall be judged on the same basis as those purchased.
4. Such gifts shall be of aesthetic and/or historical interest or artistic representations
of the world of knowledge.
5. Whenever possible, the terms of gift of any object or collection should be an
absolute transfer.
6. This policy shall apply to all such items in the collection of the Watertown Free
Public Library. Items may be deaccessioned in a manner consistent with the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the laws of the Town of Watertown
at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library.
Acceptance in each case is to be determined by the Resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library or by the Director of the Library pursuant
to authority granted by the Board of Trustees.
All gifts will be gratefully acknowledged by the Board of Trustees but no
monetary evaluation can be applied to tangible gifts by the Library.
Rev. 5/92