Boris Bally
Transit Chair, 2003
Found metal traffic signs, champagne corks, and metal fasteners
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton
Text Message: Words and Letters in Contemporary Art
January 21 – May 6, 2018
at Racine Art Museum
While the title of the exhibition plays on the popular digital form of communication, the pieces gathered here are tangible three-dimensional objects made of fiber, ceramic, polymer, paper, and metal as well as two-dimensional works on paper. All works featured are drawn from RAM’s collection. Letters and script are used as design and pattern elements as well as conveyors of meaning, underscoring how contemporary artists recognize the power and complexity of the written word. Examples include teapots decorated with narrative scenes overlaid with accompanying text, contemporary prints that highlight letters from urban signage, and baskets accented with or formed by words and script.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Shusaku Arakawa, Karen Aumann, Ralph Bacerra, Boris Bally, Harriete Estel Berman, Jerry Berta, Teri Blond, Kate Boyan, Ken Bova, Barbara Brandel, Caroline Broadhead, Kathleen Browne, Robin Campo, Michael Cohen, Warrington Colescott, Robert Cottingham, Leah Danberg, Kathleen Dustin, Jack Earl, Wayne Farra, Elissa Farrow-Savos, Dikko Faust, Lisa Fidler, Stephen Freedman, Michael Frimkess and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, Gwen Gibson, Teri Greeves, Laurie J. Hall, Walter S. Hamady, Bobby Hansson, Charles Hobson, Jenny Holzer, Jan Hopkins, Tory Hughes, Michael James, Nuala Jamison, Hai-Chi Jihn, Rosita Johanson, Paul Amos Kennedy, Jr., Corita Kent, Ronald King, Anne Kingsbury, Anne Krauss, Alyssa Dee Krauss, Barbara Kruger, Gyöngy Laky, James Lawton, Edna G. Lazaron, Zachary Lechtenberg, Dulany Lingo, Michael Lucero, Paul Mathieu, Scott L. McCarney, John McQueen, Linda Mendelson, Richard Milette, George Joji Miyaski, Matt Nolen, Gugger Petter, Robert Pfeulb, JoAnna Poehlmann, Dalia Ramanauskas, Robert Rauschenberg, Donna Rosenthal, Bird Ross, Joan Schulze, Mark Shapiro, Rebecca Strzelec, Masami Teraoka, Barbara Tentenbaum, Joe Tilson, Loes van Riel, John Wilde, William T. Wiley, Donald Roller Wilson, and Paul Wonner
Text Message: Words and Letters in Contemporary Art
January 21 – May 6, 2018
at Racine Art Museum
Boris Bally
Transit Chair, 2003
Found metal traffic signs, champagne corks, and metal fasteners
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton
While the title of the exhibition plays on the popular digital form of communication, the pieces gathered here are tangible three-dimensional objects made of fiber, ceramic, polymer, paper, and metal as well as two-dimensional works on paper. All works featured are drawn from RAM’s collection. Letters and script are used as design and pattern elements as well as conveyors of meaning, underscoring how contemporary artists recognize the power and complexity of the written word. Examples include teapots decorated with narrative scenes overlaid with accompanying text, contemporary prints that highlight letters from urban signage, and baskets accented with or formed by words and script.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Shusaku Arakawa, Karen Aumann, Ralph Bacerra, Boris Bally, Harriete Estel Berman, Jerry Berta, Teri Blond, Kate Boyan, Ken Bova, Barbara Brandel, Caroline Broadhead, Kathleen Browne, Robin Campo, Michael Cohen, Warrington Colescott, Robert Cottingham, Leah Danberg, Kathleen Dustin, Jack Earl, Wayne Farra, Elissa Farrow-Savos, Dikko Faust, Lisa Fidler, Stephen Freedman, Michael Frimkess and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, Gwen Gibson, Teri Greeves, Laurie J. Hall, Walter S. Hamady, Bobby Hansson, Charles Hobson, Jenny Holzer, Jan Hopkins, Tory Hughes, Michael James, Nuala Jamison, Hai-Chi Jihn, Rosita Johanson, Paul Amos Kennedy, Jr., Corita Kent, Ronald King, Anne Kingsbury, Anne Krauss, Alyssa Dee Krauss, Barbara Kruger, Gyöngy Laky, James Lawton, Edna G. Lazaron, Zachary Lechtenberg, Dulany Lingo, Michael Lucero, Paul Mathieu, Scott L. McCarney, John McQueen, Linda Mendelson, Richard Milette, George Joji Miyaski, Matt Nolen, Gugger Petter, Robert Pfeulb, JoAnna Poehlmann, Dalia Ramanauskas, Robert Rauschenberg, Donna Rosenthal, Bird Ross, Joan Schulze, Mark Shapiro, Rebecca Strzelec, Masami Teraoka, Barbara Tentenbaum, Joe Tilson, Loes van Riel, John Wilde, William T. Wiley, Donald Roller Wilson, and Paul Wonner
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
Anonymous
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
Ron and Judith Isaacs
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
David Charak
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Dave’s Wine Garage
Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow
Sheri and Frank Sullivan
Wisconsin Arts Board
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Susan Boland
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Carol Griseto
Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo
Hitter’s Baseball
Debbie and Chuck Hoffman
Susan and Dan Horton
Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart
Paula Kalke
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
Rita Petretti
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Twin Disc
Marc J. Wollman
Amy and Robb Woulfe
Media Sponsor
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