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Museum's `Death Embrace' continues semester theme

A multitude of death images lurks in the University Museum of Art's Corridor Gallery, in conjunction with the current theme semester: "Death, Extinction, and the Future of Humanity."

The exhibit, titled "Dark Embrace," runs through March 17 and consists of more than 25 prints and drawings depicting death in various forms.

"You would think of a death show being grim, but there are different ways that death can be represented," said collections manager Carole McNamara, who put the show together.

Many of the prints depict religious scenes, including Christ's crucifixion and the apocalypse.

Others show more general death images, such as hangings, skeletons and war casualties.

Most of the prints date back to before the 17th century, but the most recent image is from 1993.

"I think it is really interesting," said Ann Arbor resident Beth Olsen as she toured the gallery. "I like comparing the different time periods to the theme."

The majority of the exhibit consists of works by European artists.

"Some people have commented that they wished there was more diversity," said LSA sophomore Melissa Kim, who works as a guard at the museum.

All of the works are from the museum's permanent collection.

"It took me over a couple of months to select all the prints for the exhibit," McNamara said. "I very much enjoyed putting it together."

The final placement of the works in their respective locations reflects a great deal of thought and effort, McNamara said.

"Dark Embrace" has attracted visitors for a variety of reasons.

"Every so often I come in to see what is new," said Ann Arbor resident Harold Breitkreutz. "I came last summer and I wanted to come back."

Several humanities classes have also visited the exhibit, McNamara said.

"I think it is good that they tried to coordinate (the exhibit) with the theme semester," Kim said.