Treasure hunting in Athens and Ohio University

Internationally known artist Mark Dion will shine his spotlight on the collections from both Ohio University and Athens community members at the Kennedy Museum of Art in the exhibit "Collections Collected: The University Collects and Athens Collects Miniatures" running from Sept. 24 to Nov. 29.

Dion, an installation artist, examines the ways in which dominant ideologies and public institutions shape our understanding of history, knowledge and the natural world. A Mark Dion gallery space is unique because of the way he brings together objects from a variety of collections. He visited many departmental collections, including those from the anthropology and geology departments, the College of Engineering, athletics and aviation.

Royal Mapes, professor of geological sciences, oversees the university's paleobotanical collection and is eager to see the completed exhibition.

"I know [Dion] will put the collected objects in a format to excite people's interest and make them ask questions," he said. Mapes added that Dion was interested in objects such as mineral and fossil specimens and even an old miner's hat.

Dion chose visually compelling objects that represent aspects of the university and its researchers. He likens his process to treasure hunting, explaining that he looks for things that are unique to a particular collection, but also may represent the direction of that collection. He is especially enthusiastic about bringing people together from the community and revealing treasures from the collections he visited.

To complement the Kennedy's exhibit, the School of Art will host "Mark Dion: Collected Editions 1992-2009" in Trisolini Gallery from Sept. 18 to Nov. 14. The exhibit will feature limited-edition prints and multiples created by Dion between 1992 and 2009.

Opening receptions with the artist will be held at Trisolini Gallery in Baker University Center from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, and at the Kennedy Museum of Art from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24. Both events are free and open to the public.

Located in Lin Hall at The Ridges, museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and holidays. Parking and admission are free. Visit www.ohio.edu/museum for more information.

Trisolini Gallery is located in Baker University Center 405. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free. Visit www.finearts.ohio.edu/art for more information.