6 / AMAM.OBERLIN.EDU denote the start and end of Leavitt’s life also embody gratitude for the pioneering work of this singular, modest woman, whose attention and attentiveness did so much to further our understanding of the cosmos. As Von Mertens has said, “These patterns reveal to me aspects of our existence, whether it is howwe experience time and face the infinite—embedded in that is our mortality—or how the boundary of the body is presented to others versus how it is felt internally. I use the stitch to follow these trails, tracing the paths with my fingers. The dotted line of hand-stitching is a marker of uncertainty, a way of exploring. The time invested in making the work, allowing for contemplation and internalizing, becomes a part of how the work is viewed. I see all of these elements as a form of mapping, reflecting the need to get my own bearings in this vast universe.” On April 8, 2024 Oberlin will be in the path of totality for a total eclipse of the sun—a singular moment when the thoughts of many in our community will be occupied by the wonders of celestial movement and the vastness of space. Leading up to that moment, this exhibition celebrates the pioneering work of Henrietta Leavitt, whose Oberlin College education helped to prepare her for her later study and discoveries that fundamentally changed the human perception of our universe. In so doing, we also celebrate Anna Von Mertens, whose careful, creative efforts have brought Leavitt’s revelations renewed exposure. The exhibition comprises the complete works that were sparked by Von Mertens’s research on Leavitt, commemorating her foundational contribution to modern cosmology and the path of her discovery. Organized by Andria Derstine, John G. W. Cowles Director. CONTINUED
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