Out of the Sky: 9/11 by Werner Pfeiffer. This three-dimensional book is his tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Out of the Sky was produced in an edition of 52 copies on the fifth anniversary of the attack in 2006. It is shown here fully assembled to create a model of the twin towers nearly 6 feet high.

The exhibition features 39 objects made by Pfeiffer using real books. He has “silenced” the books by gluing the pages together, and he also adds ropes, nails, clamps, and hooks. The intention is to comment on censorship and to provoke reactions from his audience. The exhibition also includes 8 of Pfeiffer's artist books, a genre loosely defined as books wholly conceived of and produced as the vision of a single artist. These books usually contain printed text and illustrations, and in Pfeiffer's hands, a sculptural element which invites the reader to interact with the book by manipulating it in a way other than the traditional one of turning pages.

View a video clip of the opening reception and book assemblage from April 3.

Opening Reception: On April 3, beginning at 4:30, Pfeiffer will assembled his artist book Out of the Sky: 9/11, his tribute to the victims of the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001. This book, with a prominent sculptural component, engages the reader/viewer as he or she assembles a series of printed segments to construct a model of the twin towers nearly 6 feet high. Images and names of victims of this terrorist attack are revealed as the sections are joined.

More on the Artist: Werner Pfeiffer, born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1937, has lived in the United States since 1961. He has served as a designer and art director on various projects and was appointed Professor of Art at Pratt Institute in New York City in 1969. His books, collages, drawings, prints, paintings, and sculptures have been shown internationally in nearly 200 group and solo exhibitions.