Boston Public Library Possibly 1969

Curator: Here we have Matsubara Naoko’s woodcut titled “Boston Public Library,” currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a wonderful, bustling feel! The stark black and white creates such a lively contrast. You can almost hear the city sounds! Curator: It is the perfect medium to capture the city's grittiness, the materiality of the carved wood emphasizing the built environment. The crowds outside suggest a hub for cultural exchange and knowledge. Editor: It reminds me of old photographs somehow, making me want to experience Boston's history and feel the weight of all those books. Curator: Exactly. The printmaking process itself democratizes access to the image. Editor: It certainly does add another layer to its charm. Curator: Indeed. This piece reveals how the means of artistic production intersect with our social institutions. Editor: Ultimately, it makes you want to visit.