The Hoboken Historical Museum’s new exhibit on the second floor, entitled “Sew Hoboken,” takes a new look at some of Hoboken’s famous landmarks by mixing photographs and sewing to form a unique form of art.
Louise Gale, a Hoboken resident since 2004, is the artist on display until Sept. 18, when the exhibit ends.
The museum, located at 13th and Hudson streets in Hoboken, displays two exhibits at a time; a large exhibit on the first floor and a small art gallery on the second.
The second floor exhibit is always used for artists to interpret Hoboken, while the main floor of the museum is usually a larger collection of pictures and artifacts that tell a story about Hoboken’s past.
The ‘guide by cell’ phone number is (201) 537-6778.
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On the second floor, exhibits run for approximately seven weeks at a time.
Fabric of Hoboken
The current exhibit includes photos of landmark locations in Hoboken, such as the train station or Pier A Park, and adds a new element. Different fabrics are sewn to the photographs to provide a new way to look at the sites.
The original photos were for sale, but a friend of the museum purchased the originals and donated them back to the museum earlier this year. Smaller versions of the art are still for sale.
Gale will be at the museum on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. to discuss “Sew Hoboken,” which runs until Sept. 18.
A self guided tour
The museum has also unveiled a new way to learn about Hoboken, known as the “guide by cell program.”
Each exhibit in the museum has a phone number and an extension to dial in order to hear about a certain piece of art or history. The voice on the phone is usually the actual artist of the piece or the curator of the exhibit.
The calls can even be done from home. The “guide by cell” phone number is (201) 537-6778. The recording will then ask the visitor to enter a phone number for each exhibit. To hear about Gale’s artwork, which features her voice explaining her work, dial 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Gale’s tour over the phone outlines her experiences in Hoboken while she planned for the exhibit. She says in the guide by cell program that parts of her life in Hoboken remind her of some times she spent in London, and the photos serve as a reminder, including one photograph of a phone booth by the downtown train station.
What’s next for the museum?
After the sweets exhibit is over at the end of the year, Foster said the museum will unveil something different for the first half of 2012: an exhibit about the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. Even though the two landmarks are not within the city limits, Foster said they are important to feature because they have a strong impact on life in Hoboken.
Next for the second floor exhibit is work from Barbara Mauriello, a book artist who will show her work for approximately seven weeks. Mauriello’s exhibit, which begins at the end of September on the second floor of the museum, will feature works showcasing the Hudson River.
Foster also spoke about the popular tomato heirloom festival, which usually draws over 100 people to the uptown museum. The festival, scheduled for Aug. 28, was canceled due to an illness in the family of the farmers. But the museum will still host an heirloom garlic festival scheduled for Oct. 16.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com