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BIG BEND: Land of the Texas Imagination

Sierra del Carmen and Rio Grande, © Jim Bones
JANUARY 18 – JULY 17, 2011
BIG BEND: Land of the Texas Imagination

The majestic, rugged country of Big Bend in West Texas has been described as a place where water runs uphill, where rainbows wait for rain, and where the river lives in a big stone box. Mounted from the Wittliff Collections’ permanent holdings, Big Bend: Land of the Texas Imagination explores the way authors and others have been influenced by and interpreted the geology of Big Bend and its culture. Maps, photographs, books and articles, manuscripts, journals, and other items illustrate how the Big Bend has infused mythic storytelling and folklore, served as the scene of the crime for mysteries and thrillers, added depth to novels, stories, and memoirs, effected transcendent nature writing, spurred environmental calls to action, starred as atmospheric location on film, and played a part in the border’s history and politics. This exhibition is presented in support of the Texas State 2010–2011 Common Experience theme of “Sustainability." Read more about the exhibition here.

 

 

 

 

 

[above]  Sierra del Carmen and Rio Grande, © Jim Bones