City life

Yesterday’s Tomorrows Today

The Providence Public Library explores the possibilities of futures that never were

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The Providence Public Library is now hosting its second annual Exhibition and Program series titled Portals: The History of the Future. Sponsored by the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and Nordstrom, the exhibit puts on display a number of historical artifacts that attempted to confront the concept of time and predict the future of our world. The series’ title, Portals, is important. According to director of marketing Tonia Mason, “It’s about going to a space to explore and learn from the past.”

Ranging from predictions about the future of vehicular travel to predictions of the destruction of New York, the Providence Public Library has curated a number of magazine articles, patents, books and other items that explore the future from the perspective of visionaries of the past. Given that Einstein’s theories of relativity were published nearly a century ago, the Providence Public Library is also using its unique collection to explore perspectives on the nature of time, where the future can be predicted and history can be destroyed.

Like last year’s first Exhibition and Program series Don’t Stop the Music, Library Director Jack Martin hopes Portals will be a learning experience for all. “We seek to engage the community in a multi-faceted conversation inspired by history and our collections.”

The library is also running a series of programs alongside the exhibit, including Providence 2050, in which emerging leaders from various backgrounds and cultures attempt to predict the future of Providence, the role of innovation and social justice throughout the country and other topics. Jack hopes that Providence 2050 and other programs will “provide a broad range of interactive and creative learning opportunities.”

The exhibit runs through July 28 in the Providence Journal Rhode Island Room on the first floor of the Providence Public Library, after which local artist Walker Mettling will be displaying a number of comics and illustrations inspired by the concept of time and the future. 150 Empire Street. 455-8000 

The Providence Public Library, Portals: The History of the Future, library director Jack Martin, Providence 2050, providence monthly, cameron bryce

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