Susanna Crum: Bridging Past and Present Through Art
Episode Overview
Susanna Crum's work explores the historical significance of maps and printed ephemera as social artifacts Through mediums like cyanotype, lithography, video, and sculpture, Crum fosters dialogue between the past, present, and future Crum and her partner established Calliope Arts, a space for artists, to create a nurturing environment for creativity The 'On the Map' project celebrates the significance of post offices in shaping community identity Crum's journey as an artist reflects her commitment to uncovering untold stories and creating meaningful connections through her work
I think it's very important for the medium that I choose to work with, whether it's cyanotype or photography or video or sculpture, it really has to amplify and in a way motivate or push forward the idea.
Imagine blending the past, present, and future into a single piece of art. That's exactly what Susanna Crum, an artist and educator from Smoketown, Louisville, Kentucky, does with her innovative projects. In this episode of 'Born to Create', host Maria-Katharina Richters chats with Susanna about her unique approach to art that combines cyanotype, lithography, video, and sculpture. Susanna's work is all about investigating maps and printed ephemera as social artifacts, creating a fascinating dialogue between different time periods.
Her art isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a deep dive into community-based research and archival materials like letters, maps, newspapers, and oral histories. By doing so, she brings to light the often-overlooked stories that shape our world. Susanna also co-founded Calliope Arts, a studio that provides a nurturing space for artists to explore their creativity. One of their standout projects, 'On the Map', highlights the role of post offices in building community identity.
If you're curious about how art can connect us to our history and each other, this episode is a must-listen.