Conversation VIII: Serious Play

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

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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

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

Resources

Documents

Media Release
Media Coverage