Erika Hartwieg knows a thing or two about balancing multiple interests and tasks. She's a research specialist in electronmicroscopy, working in the biology department, who is also a potter, having learned pottery with the MIT Student Art Association. She's a printmaker who is fascinated with the patterns of daily life. She's a busy woman who takes flute lessons in her spare time.
Fully aware of the many sides and talents of MIT employees, Hartweig is also the curator of a new show by members of Artists Behind the Desk titled "Artists by Night���Administrators by Day." The exhibition of works by 21 artists is on view at the Rotch Library (Room 7-238) through Jan. 28.
Artists Behind the Desk is a group of employees from a variety of departments holding a large range of positions. "All have a very strong interest and commitment to art," said Hartwieg. "I appreciate their struggle to honor the demands, regulations and routines of the day job in order to enjoy the freedom of their spare time and their creativity.
"This exhibition is not only about art on the walls, but is also about the duality of the lives of the artists behind the desks," said Hartwieg. The exhibition includes photography, watercolors, painting with oils, printmaking and computer-art.
Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 8 p.m.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on January 12, 2005 (download PDF).
