Groningers and their Paper
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“'Thus the Page Unites Friends': Paper as Social Networking Device at the University of Groningen (1614-Today)” is an exhibit I researched, curated, and designed for the major historical exhibition, Paper Unfolding: Groningers and their Paper, organised and coordinated by Dr M. K. Williams with the GRID Grafisch Museum Groningen. The exhibition featured more than 20 museum, public, corporate, and private lenders.
My contribution explored the role of the university in Groningen's history of paper. I focused mainly on the rise of alba amicorum or 'friendship books' in which students collected inscriptions, drawings and handicrafts from fellow students and professors. The University of Groningen's Special Collections still has nearly 50 of these booklets from between the 17th and 19th centuries. Paper was an important means of immortalising social networks of students. The alba amicorum supplement incomplete university registers as they provide glimpses into the social worlds of students and professors. During its run from 17 June 2017 until 7 January 2018, the exhibition drew over 6000 visitors from around the globe.
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The exhibition was paired with the publication of an exhibition catalogue and public lectures at the museum.
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