U at 50. 1974–2024
Conceived as both archive and tribute, the fiftieth anniversary book U at 50. 1974–2024 reflects half a century of growth and the diverse collection of the Ulrich Museum of Art, affirming the cultural role of university art museums. Bringing together fifty artworks, an exhibition archive, and fifty personal stories, the publication positions the Ulrich Museum of Art within its broader historical, academic, and cultural landscape.
The book unfolds around the idea of dialogue across time – between past and present, artwork and viewer, institution and community. At its centre, fifty stories printed on blue paper form a visual anchor. The layout draws on the nested architectural construction of the museum by Charles F. McAfee, translated into a dynamic grid. In the outdoor sculpture section, texts are set vertically, echoing sculptural form. Typography reflects a tension between heritage and contemporaneity through the dialogue between GT Alpina – rooted in book tradition – and ABC Monument Grotesk, a subtly unpolished sans serif. The cover features a debossed U and timeline, marking fifty years as a physical and visual imprint.
