Institute of Contemporary Art

Maira Kalman/Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)

Maira Kalman/ exaltations observations is 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. This exhibition will feature 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. 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.

This is 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. This exhibition will feature 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.

This exhibition is curated by ICA Senior Curator Ingrid Schaffner, and will be accompanied by a catalogue. Following its premiere at ICA, the exhibition will travel to Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco July 1 October 26, 2010; Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles November 19, 2010 February 20, 2011; and The Jewish Museum, New York March 11 July 31, 2011.