Rarely Seen Contemporary Works on Paper–Art Institute of Chicago Saturday, July 28, 2012–Sunday, January 13, 2013
![Devil [portion of work]](https://unhealeadwound.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Devil.jpg "Devil [portion of work]")
Works on paper are extremely light sensitive, so this exhibit, which filled four rooms of predominantly 20th century and 21st century art, is housed in dark, temperature-controlled vaults. Some of these works are being offered for the first time. While I was there, professors were leading their classes to individual works to explain techniques that have influenced generations. Among the most popular works are Romare Bearden’s collages, Tanguy’s masterpieces and of course, Dubuffet and Picasso.
What I found most noteworthy, however, were the relatively obscure works by even the most famous–Picasso comes to mind–partly due to the ephemeral and decomposable materials of paste, cut papers, graphite, and pastel. A delightful work by Picasso, “Devil (1952)”, is a black inked painting on brown corrugated paper so darkened that the visitor is compelled to press his or her face to the glass to get a close-up look. What a surprise for a Picasso–and the three-dimensional piece could be turned upside down to see almost the same figure. Multiple works by Carroll Dunham (“Untitled (Months)”, Matta (“Untitled: Psychological Morphology, 1939), Brice Marden (“Second Letter –Zen Spring)”, and JuliaFish (“Garden Drawing #87”) are unforgettable masterpieces. The list goes on and on: Ed Ruscha’s whimsical “Bugs in Foil” and Susan Hettmansperger’s pieces need to be made accessible to more art lovers–on the Internet, in books, at visiting museum exhibits. If you are in Chicago before January 13, make sure you have a chance to see this superb panorama of works on paper–one of the very best ever!
Evelyn klein
Lucky you! What a great show. Brice Marden is one of my favorite artists, what a great work he has in the show. Thanks for sharing Diana.
Evelyn
joanne
Thanks Diana. You are a good source for a lot of interesting events. Joanne
Cheryl Ellis
I really liked the psychological Morphology. Great depth.
who would have thought to have saved the one on corrugated cardboard? Very Primitive.
Secret Admirer
The photos of the art look awesome! Hope a lot of people get to see this show!
C. Kevin Smith
Thanks for posting about this exhibit and for including some images. I wish I could see this show! I love the hushed, darkened atmosphere of exhibits featuring works on paper, their fragility, the quiet mood, the mindful focus required of the viewer.
Celeste Wahl
The Art Institute… I’m missing my hometown even more now.
Tracey Adams
What a treat! Thanks for posting. Would love to see this show as some of my favorite artists have work in it.