Chazen Museum of Art in Madison
While back home in Madison visiting my Mom over Mother's Day weekend, I ventured to the Chazen Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. On display along with the permanent collection were two impressive exhibitions. The first titled Underground Classics: The Transformation of Comics into Comix was a massive collection of "underground" comics from the 60's, 70's, and 80's by the likes of R. Crumb, Denis Kitchen, Jay Lynch, Art Spiegelman and more.
The exhibition focused on how underground comics (or comix) played a role in the cultural rebellion against mainstream society in the 60's. From drug-altered states to sexual freedoms, comix such as Zap and Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers ushered in not only a new comic style but also a new culture altogether.
R. Crumb, SNARF Magazine cover, 1975
Also on display was an amazing collection of Kawase Hasui color woodcuts dating primarily from the 1920's and 1930's. Hasui has been named a National Living Treasure by the Japanese government and his woodcut work portraying a timeless Japan is truly awe-inspiring.
Kawase Hasui Color Woodcut circa 1925
A couple of pieces from the permanent collection at the Chazen
Nikolai Alexandrovich Ionin, Cable Factory (Sevkabel Factory), 1935
A close up of the fine details contained within a painting by Thomas Blackwell, Takashimaya, 1974
On December 27, 2009, Lorne Hillier said:
I was visiting the museum today and wondering if you know of a source for a print of "Nikolai Alexandrovich Ionin, Cable Factory (Sevkabel Factory), 1935" ?
thanks,
Lorne Hillier
Madison
On December 30, 2009, Ed Blake
said:
Hi Lorne,
I looked around online for prints but to no avail. You may want to give the Chazen a call and see if they have any on hand. Thanks, Ed