Ann Hamilton: the common S E N S E

“Ann Hamilton: the common S E N S E” was an exhibition of large-scale, newly commissioned work that occupied all galleries of the museum, evolving and changing throughout its six-month run. Visitors were invited on a sensory, tactile journey inspired by tangible and intangible ways of touching and being touched.

As a Visiting Fellow, Hamilton conducted research in the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the University Libraries Special Collections, and the Henry's holdings of costumes, textiles, and photographs. The material elements of the exhibition were drawn from these collections. Images of animal specimens; bestiaries and children's ABC primers; fur, feather, and gut garments were stitched together with sound, voice, printed texts, and the movement of air in a building newly opened to light.

Hamilton’s immersive installations simultaneously responded to the social and architectural history of each gallery and posed broader questions about the human experience.

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Camera, sound and editing: Gregory Whitmore

Exhibition organized by the Henry’s John H. Behnke Director Sylvia Wolf, with assistance from Nina Bozicnik, Assistant Curator, and project management by Susan Lewandowski, Manager of Exhibitions and Registration.

Major support was provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

The exhibition was also made possible by 4Culture/King County Lodging Tax, season supporter ArtsFund, The Boeing Company, City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

It was additionally supported through gifts made to the Henry Now Campaign by the Barton Family Foundation in memory of Irving Marcus; Cathy and Michael Casteel; the Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation; William and Ruth True; and the Bagley and Virginia Wright Fund.

The Henry is grateful for in-kind contributions from Richard Manderbach and Krekow Jennings Inc. Special thanks to Phillip Turner, Jerry Garcia, and Kirsten Ring Murray of Olson Kundig Architects and to the staffs of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for their partnership in realizing Hamilton's vision for "the common S E N S E."