May 9, 2009 - April 18, 2010

Zoom in and take a closer look at four contemporary artworks by three Japanese artists: Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami and Hisae Iwaoka. Learn about the artists and how their art is influenced by traditional Japanese prints and by popular Japanese manga (comic books) and anime (animation). Make your own manga characters, create a story with puppets, design a “modern Japanese” artwork, and watch episodes of Astro Boy, the original manga and anime character who inspired some of these artists.

On view through October 2009

EXPLORING ART A TO Z

EXPLORING ART A TO Z is a visual dictionary that uses the alphabet as a vehicle for introducing children to the language of art. The exhibition matches 26 works of art from the museum’s permanent collection and from local artists to the letters of the alphabet.

Several interactive stations located within the gallery space are directly related to the artwork in the exhibition. Through participation in the activities, young museum visitors expand their reading and writing skills while linking these same skills to creative art making. Hands-on activities include drawing a favorite alphabet letter as a funny figure or a fantastic animal on a postcard and mailing it to a friend, creating a fanciful letter from found objects, going on an “alphabet” hunt, playing alphabet art board games, and being part of an interactive alphabet book based on favorite art from the museum’s collection.

The exhibition focuses on children in grades preK-3, but children of all ages will find something of interest in Exploring Art A to Z.

The exhibition is free and open during regular museum hours.

Sponsored by The Frank M. Tait Foundation

Currently on view

SHIMMERING MADNESS
An Installation by Sandy Skoglund

Sandy Skoglund, American (born 1946). SHIMMERING MADNESS, 1998 Installation:  Jelly beans, wood, plastic, metal, motors Museum purchase, 2001.34 c 1998 Sandy Skoglund

Created by New York-based artist/photographer Sandy Skoglund, Shimmering Madness is a breathtaking installation consisting of a brightly colored, enameled jellybean floor buttressed against two walls that have been densely covered with small kinetic, hand-painted butterflies. In the midst of this fantastic room are two jellybean-covered figures assembled in dance-like poses with their heads spun backward.

Skoglund moved to New York in 1972, where she started working as a
conceptual artist. In the late 1970s, she began to teach herself
photography to fulfill her desire to document her work. This developing
interest in photographic technique later became fused with her interest in
popular culture and commercial picture making strategies, resulting in
what is referred to as a "fabricated image," or an image that illustrates
an artificial construction of reality and not reality itself.

Because Skoglund's goal is to "be in contact with reality and at the same
time alter it," her interpretation of the "image" in both her installations
and the photographs of her installations often experientially transports the viewer into the realm of the surreal. By incorporating multiples of
everyday objects, such as food, into her installations (as seen here in the
form of thousands of jellybeans), Skoglund redefines the concept of what is precious and beautiful in art.

"I like to work with food because it is a familiar material," Skoglund
explains. "The value of art, the educational value of art, the sort of life
affirming value of art has to do with bringing our awareness of the
everyday miracle that's around us, that everything is, in its own way, if
you look at it, quite strange and quite marvelous. For me, food is an icon of familiarity, which is so natural to us on a daily basis that it's almost invisible." Skoglund has achieved international recognition as a photographer, and her installations have been commissioned and acquired by museums and universities around the world.

About the Experiencenter
Established in 1976, The Dayton Art Institute’s Experiencenter was developed to provide formal and informal learning and recreational activities for children and their families. It also serves the first time museum visitor by providing a program of active participation in a relaxed
museum setting.

The Dayton Art Institute’s Experiencenter has received national attention and was the first gallery space of its kind in any U.S. art museum. Throughout its history, the Experiencenter has presented annual thematic exhibitions featuring art from The Dayton Art Institute’s collection, private collections and loans from other museums.

In addition to being a self-contained gallery space, the Experiencenter encourages visitors to engage in active participation at hands-on stations located throughout the museum and offers an opportunity for families to explore the museum and its collections together, enhancing the visitor’s learning and social experience.

Located in the museum’s lower rotunda, the Experiencenter space consists of nearly 2,000 square feet with a studio classroom for workshops and participatory activities. The Experiencenter is supported in part by The Frank M. Tait Foundation, the Iddings Foundation, Reynolds and Reynolds, The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and Pamela and George Houk.

Acknowledging Creative Excellence

Pamela Houk’s work in art education, her vision and ideals for the development of an interactive space within the art museum were brought to life in 1976 with the opening of the Experiencenter. This gallery space for children and families is based on the concept that people learn more effectively and gain a better understanding of the creative process by being actively involved. As the originator and Curator of the Experiencenter for 23 years, Pamela Houk’s contribution to advancing art education for all ages was outstanding. To recognize her achievement and contribution to art education the Pamela P. Houk Award for Excellence in Art Education was awarded developed. Read more