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Le Guin at the Oregon Contemporary

Exterior view of the Oregon Center for Contemporary Art with large white geometric designs on the blue facade.

A little over a week ago we visited Oregon Contemporary to experience A Larger Reality, an exhibition about the life and work of Ursula K. Le Guin.

People viewing display cases against a wall with a mural depicting a detailed dragon and abstract smoke.

A display case featuring a congressional record commemorating Ursula K. Le Guin, her book “No Time to Spare,” a quote card, a blue ribbon, and a National Book Award medal. Cat paw prints and descriptive plaques are also visible.

Display case with a brown canvas bag featuring various political and social buttons, a vintage science fiction magazine titled “Fantastic,” a toy red van, a document labeled “Mortgage,” and multiple informational placards.

A framed structure about the size of the room that served as Le Guin’s writing room, when not serving as a nursery, was surprisingly small. On the desk were her typewriters that were open to use. I enjoyed this level of immersiveness.

A person sits inside a small, wooden structure with unfinished walls, working at a desk. The setup includes a typewriter and other items. A large projection on the wall outside shows a cityscape with houses and trees.

The electric typewriter was programmed to print selections of Le Guin’s work for visitors to print and take with them.

A person sitting in front of an IBM typewriter, with a sheet of paper inserted.

Display of various cat-themed artworks and notes, including a small illustrated chart labeled “Identification Chart: Cats” with sketches of cats, text panels with descriptions, and a framed exhibit piece.

Wooden tree-shaped bookcase with books and magazines, standing in a gallery with overhead lights casting colorful shadows.

A woman stands in an art gallery with arms crossed. The wall behind her features a large portrait of Ursula K. Le Guin. Other artworks are visible in the background.

It was a lovely exhibition and I’m glad we were able to visit it. I have read some of Le Guin’s works, and have others on my reading list for this year and beyond. I would highly recommend her work to anyone.