Opening Friday, June 6 and running through September 1, 2014 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, “Maira Kalman: The Elments of Style” will showcase fifty six paintings by artist, illustrator and author Kalman, which were created to illustrate a 2005 re-publication of William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s classic composition guide, “The Elements of Style”, was published in 2005 by Penguin Books, and features paintings that respond to the text’s exacting grammatical decrees and peculiar usage examples.
All of Kalman works are gouache on paper, feature strong colors, flattened spaces, floating objects, and childlike figures that provide settings for riddles. The viewer asks: How does the image reflect the text, and what, if anything, is wrong with the text, anyway? This provides experiences in both literary and visual literacy.
Reflecting on the painting “‘Be Obscure Clearly’ Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!” Executive Director of the Frist Center, Dr. Susan H. Edwards says, “Kalman’s accompanying illustration is a table filled with special treats: champagne, champagne glasses, chocolates, anemones, tulips, compotes, crystal goblets, teacups and plates with a rose pattern…all pink and white and red on a neutral tablecloth in a caramel colored room. It is clearly articulated for us. Eat dessert first.”
Additionally, goers can listen to an accompanying song cycle by Nico Muhly, a contemporary classical music composer who has collaborated with a number of classical and pop/rock artists.“The addition of Nico Muhly’s composition adds an unexpected twist,” says Frist Center Chief Curator Mark Scala. “Just as the artwork grew out of a literary text, the songs exemplify ways that inspiration can cross disciplines to delightful effect.”
Looping the exhibition into another dimension, Kalman will also curate, in the gallery, a table of objects that were used by her friends and family to make soft percussive noises in the performance of Muhly’s composition. Visitors may listen intently to identify the sound that a cup and saucer might make.
MORE DETAILS: www.fristcenter.org or call 615.244.3340.
About
Maira Kalman achieved international acclaim with her cover illustrations for the New Yorker, which include the renowned New Yorkistan, a “map” made in collaboration with Rick Meyerowitz that playfully designates various boroughs and neighborhoods with the Asian geographical suffix “istan.” She has also created illustrated blogs for the New York Times and written such books as The Principles of Uncertainty (2006–07) and The Pursuit of Happiness (2008–09). In 2010, The Institute of Contemporary Art (Philadelphia) organized Kalman’s retrospective Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World), which was also seen at The Jewish Museum (New York City), the Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles), and the Contemporary Jewish Museum (San Francisco). She has been represented by the Julie Saul Gallery in New York since 2003. www.mairakalman.com.