In 2004 on a desolate desert tract on the outskirts of Deming, New Mexico Matthew Passmore, and other members of the San Francisco arts collective Rebar, built a library.
“The Cabinet National Library takes the form of a circle with a radius of twelve feet—viewed from the south, the cabinet is situated at the top, or “12 o’clock” position on the circle. At each of the positions representing three, six and nine o’clock, we have set a solar-powered lantern into the earth to help guide you around the library grounds should you find yourself there after sundown. Each lantern is also outfitted with a light sensor that automatically shuts the light off during daylight hours (while the batteries recharge) and turns the light on at night.
What’s in the Library:
“The top cabinet drawer contains the library card catalog, a guest book and other “guest services” (a plush pillow to sit on while you read and an umbrella to shade you).
The middle drawer contains the collection of the first thirteen issues of Cabinet, with each magazine individually-wrapped in a plastic cover for protection from the elements.
The bottom drawer is the “snack bar” which, at the time of our departure, contained a bottle of water, a pair of sturdy workboots (men’s size 10) and two cans of steadily-warming beer.”
The current issue of The Bear Deluxe Magazine has a piece by Molly Cooney-Mesker on what the folks at Rebar are up to these days (unfortunately, as of this writing the new issue not yet been posted online).