Update on Columbus Museum of Art Show 2007

Curator Melissa Wolfe (Columbus Museum of Art) talks about the upcoming Viktor Schreckengost exhibition

We recently announced that the Columbus (Ohio) Museum of Art will host a Viktor Schreckengost exhibition in 2007. Following is an interview with Melissa Wolfe, Curator at the Columbus Museum of Art, who updates us on the exhibition plans.

Why is the Columbus Museum of Art interested in Viktor Schreckengost?

We are very interested in American art. We also have a continued interest in what used to be called “materiel culture:” recently we’ve been doing shows on design, on objects, as opposed to just stereotypical fine art. For example, we are just finishing a show, "Bringing Modernism Home," that features Ohio design and decorative objects. Design history is especially interesting in Ohio, because of its natural resources and industry (like glassware and pottery). We are very interested in someone like Viktor—this single person who shaped the American visual world—who encompasses the craft as well as the design worlds.

Will this exhibition have a particular theme or angle? What will it be like?

Viktor Schreckengost has really not been recognized for the diversity and breadth of his contributions to American visual culture. We will place Viktor in a national context, as someone who deserves more credit for creating so many objects that we all know. For example, the Jazz Bowl. It’s an icon in art history. But Viktor is much more than just the Jazz Bowl. We’ll ground the show in that work because that’s what everyone knows, but once they’re in the door we will demonstrate his profound impact on American culture in several areas. He was an innovator of the slab form ceramics, which had just as much impact on American ceramics as his affordable, sophisticated pedal cars had on their own market. Our proposed way to present that is to take a recognizable object (dinnerware, Murray bike, pedal cars). We will surround iconic images with their social and artistic context: advertisements, related creations, concept sketches. There will be about 150 pieces.

This show will highlight not only the diversity of his talents, but his driving interests, or themes common across his creations. Humor, for example. His pervasive sense of humor shows up in every genre. His interest in the qualities of clay.

The guest curator will be Henry Adams, who curated the Cleveland show on Viktor Schreckengost in 2000-2001. Can you tell me about the role of a guest curator and how your own staff will be involved?

It is not uncommon to work with a guest curator who has an expertise and interest in a particular area. Obviously one curator can’t be an expert in everything. Henry brought us the idea of the show. He chooses the works to be exhibited and will write the catalogue text. We do the administrative work: paperwork, shipping, contracts; and we will oversee the installation and design elements of the show. We will also publish the catalogue.

Who is your audience in Columbus?

We have very interested audience here in Columbus. We attract about 150,000-200,000 visitors annually. In addition to local residents, we pull in people from around the state: students, businesspeople, visitors to the state capital. We are right across the street from Columbus State and the Columbus College of Art and Design.

What is the anticipated date for the exhibition?

The tentative dates for Columbus are February 2 - May 20, 2007, but these are subject to revision. The exhibition will tour in 2008, maybe into 2009.

Thanks, Melissa! We look forward to the show.

Visit the Columbus Museum of Art website.