The Infinite Library is Susan Simpson’s site-specific artwork for Crenshaw-Imperial Library. Celebrating the wonder and infinite possibilities in each library, Simpson shares library experiences from around the planet.

The Infinite Library’s dioramas and peepholes reveal five actual libraries and an imaginary one. The peepholes reveal animal bookmobiles: an elephant in Thailand, burros in Columbia and a Kenyan camel. One diorama depicts a library boat on Laos’ Mekong River; another depicts a resident full of books rescued from Basra, Iraq. The sixth diorama reflects an imaginary library described in Borges’ Ficciones. These source books are available on the Library’s reference shelf.

Susan Simpson is a Los Angeles artist and puppeteer. She creates tiny theaters, display cabinets and kiosks to reveal hidden wonders in small spaces. Simpson won recognition from the Jim Henson Foundation in 2017 and has exhibited her work in programs at the Los Angeles County Art Museum, Santa Monica Art Museum and REDCAT’s NOW festival, in venues across the United States and in Europe. Ms. Simpson co-founded Automata, the Los Angeles non-profit organization dedicated to research, development and presentation of experimental puppet theater, experimental film, and contemporary art practices centering on performing objects in 2004 with Janie Geisel.

Date: 2017
Collection: City of Inglewood Permanent Public Art Projects
Medium: Sculptural diorama
Material: Mixed media with woods, steel and internal LED lights
Size: 58” x 38” x 36”

Location:
Crenshaw-Imperial Library
11141 Crenshaw Boulevard
Inglewood, California 90303