Conversation VIII: Serious Play

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Conversation VIII: Serious Play
Conversation VIII: Serious Play
Susan Earle, curator
Kate Meyer, curator
20/21 Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Come and ponder Serious Play in the 20/21 gallery this summer, as we install an intriguing selection of objects that seriously consider play in a variety of ways. This “Conversation” exhibition highlights a recent acquisition, Impending Future Bus by Randy Regier. This Future Bus uses the vocabulary of toys to create a memorable sculpture that may change your thinking on several topics, both playful and serious. It will be joined by a portfolio of woodcuts by H. C. Westermann called The Connecticut Ballroom Suite of 1975-76. ). Both projects have a commitment to craftsmanship and process, and both employ playful imagery, style, and/or vocabulary to address contemplative (read “serious”) issues. On the west side of the Conversation wall there will be a video by Pipilotti Rist on the big screen paired with related works on the theme of serious play, including several artists’ books.

Organized by Kate Meyer and Susan Earle.

Works of art

Randy Regier (born 1964), Impending Future Bus
Randy Regier (born 1964), Impending Future Bus
Randy Regier
Impending Future Bus
2004
Christian Boltanski (1944–2021), Reconstruction de Gestes Effectués par Christian Boltanski entre 1948 et 1954
Christian Boltanski (1944–2021), Reconstruction de Gestes Effectués par Christian Boltanski entre 1948 et 1954
Christian Boltanski
Reconstruction de Gestes Effectués par Christian Boltanski entre 1948 et 1954
1970
Roger Shimomura (born 1939); Linda Samson-Talleur (born 1953); Steinbaum Krause Gallery; Michael Sims (born 1944); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present), Memories of Childhood
Roger Shimomura (born 1939); Linda Samson-Talleur (born 1953); Steinbaum Krause Gallery; Michael Sims (born 1944); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present), Memories of Childhood
Roger Shimomura , Linda Samson-Talleur , Michael Sims
Memories of Childhood
1999
Pipilotti Rist (born 1962); Bick Productions; New Museum of Contemporary Art, I Want to See How You See
Pipilotti Rist (born 1962); Bick Productions; New Museum of Contemporary Art, I Want to See How You See
Pipilotti Rist
I Want to See How You See
2003
Tim Rollins + K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) (active 1982–2017), A Midsummer Night's Dream XVII (after William Shakespeare)
Tim Rollins + K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) (active 1982–2017), A Midsummer Night's Dream XVII (after William Shakespeare)
Tim Rollins + K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) (active 1982–2017)
A Midsummer Night's Dream XVII (after William Shakespeare)
2001
Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008), Autobiography
Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008), Autobiography
Robert Rauschenberg
Autobiography
1968
James Alinder (born 1941), Christmas at Hinky Dinky, Lincoln, Nebraska
James Alinder (born 1941), Christmas at Hinky Dinky, Lincoln, Nebraska
James Alinder
Christmas at Hinky Dinky, Lincoln, Nebraska
1971
James Alinder (born 1941), Jesse Among the Chickens, Sparta, Wisconsin
James Alinder (born 1941), Jesse Among the Chickens, Sparta, Wisconsin
James Alinder
Jesse Among the Chickens, Sparta, Wisconsin
1971
Margo Kren (born 1939), Scared in the Night
Margo Kren (born 1939), Scared in the Night
Margo Kren
Scared in the Night
1983
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (Holding box)
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (Holding box)
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (Holding box)
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (title page)
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (title page)
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite (title page)
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 1 (The Green Hell)
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 1 (The Green Hell)
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 1 (The Green Hell)
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 2 (Arctic Death Ship)
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 2 (Arctic Death Ship)
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 2 (Arctic Death Ship)
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 3 (Dance of Death [San Pedro])
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 3 (Dance of Death [San Pedro])
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 3 (Dance of Death [San Pedro])
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 4 ("N.M.")
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 4 ("N.M.")
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 4 ("N.M.")
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 5
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 5
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 5
1975–1976
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 6
H. C. Westermann (1922–1981), The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 6
H. C. Westermann
The Connecticut Ballroom Suite: 6
1975–1976
Theodore William Hawkins (1911–1969), Naptime
Theodore William Hawkins (1911–1969), Naptime
Theodore William Hawkins
Naptime
circa 1950
Mabel Maney (born 1958), The Hardly Boys in 'A Ghost in the Closet'
Mabel Maney (born 1958), The Hardly Boys in 'A Ghost in the Closet'
Mabel Maney (born 1958)
The Hardly Boys in 'A Ghost in the Closet'
1993

Resources

Documents

Media Release
Media Coverage