Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (Of A Crazy World) April 11, 2010

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania presents 'Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World),' the first major museum survey of the work of Maira Kalman. An illustrator, author and designer, Kalman illuminates contemporary life with a profound sense of joy and unique sense of humor. Like a gift, her work appears to lift the spirits, no matter how ordinary or overwhelming circumstances may be. This exhibition features a selection spanning thirty years of original works on paper and design production, along with less widely seen aspects of Kalman's work in photography, embroidery, textiles, and performance. As a context for this survey, Kalman is creating a special installation. The space will be furnished with chairs, ladders, and "many tables of many things"--such as fezzes, bobby pins, balls of string, things that have fallen out of books, lists, moss. Expressive of Kalman's habits as a collector, traveler, reader, and avid walker, this installation offers a view of how she sees the world, both in and outside of the studio.