MEMORARE : DSH
DANVERS STATE HOSPITAL in ART, FILM & BOOKS
by MICHAEL RAMSEUR: Artist, Author, Historian
An exhibit held on May 19-20 and 26-27, 2007, at the historic Danvers Art Association building in Danvers, Mass.
"BLUE WINDOWS"
Ramseur has spent over twenty years documenting DSH, now demolished, in his pastel art and in his historical writings. It was fitting that this brilliant collection should be shown here. This exhibit was suggested by Sally Rothman, President of the D.A.A., curated by Helen Compton of Artship, and assisted by John Archer of the Danvers Preservation Fund, Inc., which was responsible for the restoration of the Association building, once a grammar school. Archer read his dramatic "Epilogue" from Ramseur's extensive history of DSH, Haunted Palace, at the Opening Reception.
"DSH IN BRILLIANT SUN" 
Below are a few views of this installation in the two major exhibit rooms, dominated by several 6- foot to 12-foot pastel pieces and by the dramatic sculpture. Around these pieces there were many small photo-reproductions and several 3-foot to 4-foot giclees. This work spans a 15-year period and has not been halted, either, by the demolition in February 2007 of 95% of the subject site, Danvers State Hospital. MEMORARE -- in the memories and hearts of many, who came to know of its early years of humane treatment and scientific innovation-- as well as its compelling architectural beauty-- this place lives on.
Above: Photo-reproductions on left; "SNOW AERIAL" and "DSH, PINK & GREEN" on right
Below: "QUASI-J BUILDING", welded metal sculpture, approx. 4' x 4' x 4'
Above: Photo-reproduction, Pastel "TEAMWORK", and story-boards on left; "FULL MOON DSH" and "WHITE TOWER DSH" on right
Below, Left: Two Pastel paintings reflect the DAA lights next to BOOKS table; Right: the large AERIAL pastel.
Above: "DOUBLE DANVERS" in Giclee, 22" x 34", expressing an imagined juxtaposition of the original edifice with the modern apartment buildings behind it
ALL OF MICHAEL RAMSEUR'S ART AND BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE. Use this link: