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Dog Reads Book by Maira Kalman, Image courtesy the ICA

At first glance, one observes Maira Kalman’s collection of ordinary objects, illustrations and tapestries as a simple display of contemporary life collected during family road trips or leisurely Sunday strolls. With closer observation, however, spectators of Ms. Kalman’s work are brought along a journey that spans 30 years of fashion, food and art. Her works illuminate the joy, and even sadness, of life’s overwhelming and sometimes tepid moments.

On display until June 6th, 2010 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Ms. Kalman’s Various Illuminations (Of A Crazy World) aims to amaze and inspire onlookers to laugh and enjoy life’s little pleasures amid a studio of over 100 original drawings, journal entries and displays of “many tables of many things.” Her artwork blends garage sale mundane with the humor of Dr. Seuss.

Strolling through the living canvas that is Ms. Kalman’s work – I found myself flipping through childrens’ books with that contained many of her most popular illustrations, peering over tables and shelves that contained bobby pins, balls of strings, and even 30 year old onion rings!

Kalman hopes that her artwork will lift the spirit, and it did just that. I found myself chuckling at her original gouache on paper drawings such as Dog Reads Book, and New Yorkistan.

Her awesome display is a trip down memory lane both for the artist and observer. Her artwork pervades the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.

Philagrafika 2010
www.philagrafika2010.org

Institute of Contemporary Art
118 South 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3289
(215) 898-5911
www.icaphila.org