Exhibit: Polytext: Polly Parsons

Library of Congress Preservation Techniques and the Propagation of Pseudo-Derivative Works

This exhibit presents the work of scientist and author Polly Parsons whose writings were preserved through an experimental Library of Congress archiving project that produced unusual, often distorted texts, blurring the lines between authorship, materiality and time. Framed as recovered artifacts, these monographic polytexts resemble machine-generated language while alluding to a physical, non-digital origin. The exhibition explores how meaning shifts and transforms under systems of preservation - while quietly acknowledging that such an explanation may be as constructed as the materials themselves.

Curated by Stephen Singer and Abigail Traska.

On display for April Fool's Day 2026.

Free buttons offered at the Check Out Desk for this exhibit.