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 Sponsors
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
A.C. Buhler Family
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paul Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker
Bronze Sponsors
Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Express Employment Professionals
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy and Nick Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman
Media Sponsor
