Michael Graves, designer (1934-2015), Alessi S.p.A., Manufacturer (Italian), Tea & Coffee Piazza Service, 1983, 925/1000 silver, lacquered aluminum, polyamide and Bakelite, 911⁄16 by 161⁄8 (diameter) inches (overall). Indianapolis Museum of Art. ©Michael Graves
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — The Indianapolis Museum of Art is celebrating the work of T.C. Steele, Robert Indiana, Michael Graves, Bill Blass and other Hoosier artists in “19 Stars of Indiana Art: A Bicentennial Celebration.”
“Woman in White” by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916), 1902, oil on canvas, 29 by 19 inches. Indianapolis Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs Albert E. Metzger in memory of Albert E. Metzger.
The largest of the IMA’s Bicentennial exhibitions, “19 Stars of Indiana Art” takes guests through 200 years of Indiana history and present the accomplishments of 19 artists who were born in Indiana, such as Steele, Indiana, Graves and Blass, along with those were raised or worked in Indiana. The exhibition highlights the work of well-known figures such as David Smith and Garo Antreasian, as well as less-celebrated artists such as Felrath Hines, Wilhelmina Seegmiller and Frank Hohenberger.
“To honor the 19 stars on Indiana’s flag, we have selected 19 ‘star’ artists from the many who have connections to the state,” said Annette Schlagenhauff, the IMA’s curator of special projects. “The diversity of their talents is truly exceptional, and there is something to delight all of our guests who are interested in learning more about the impact these artists had either locally, nationally or internationally.”
Bill Blass (1922-2002) evening dress, 1980s, silk chiffon, 31½ inches long. Indianapolis Museum of Art, gift of Lorraine DeAngelis. ©Bill Blass
Paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, fashion design and other works from the IMA’s permanent collection are on display. Exhibition highlights include:
*“No Cybernetic Exit,” 1984, a kinetic sculpture by South Bend native George Rickey.
*Fashion design, including a Bill Blass evening dress, 1980s, and a 1970s evening ensemble by Halston, who grew up in Evansville, Ind.
*“LOVE,” 1966, the original painting by Hoosier artist Robert Indiana that inspired his iconic LOVE sculpture on the IMA’s Dudley and Mary Louise Sutphin Mall.
*Tea & Coffee Piazza Service, 1983, and Nanna teapot, 2000, by architect, designer and Indianapolis native Michael Graves.
*Brown County portraits and landscapes, 1920–40, by photographer Frank Hohenberger.
“LOVE” by Robert Indiana (b 1928), 1966, oil on canvas, 717⁄8 by 717⁄8 by 2½ inches. Indianapolis Museum of Art, James E. Roberts Fund. ©2016 Morgan Art Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
An interactive map of Indiana and a specially designed video gallery invites guests to further explore the artists’ connections to the state and their important legacies. Visitors are also invited to contribute to a large-scale Indiana-inspired landscape by creating paper flowers, insects and birds. Exhibition visitors can also discover their Hoosier personality through a “Whoosier You?” quiz available inside the exhibition and on the IMA website.
In conjunction with the show, the IMA launched an interactive scavenger hunt around the 152-acre campus. “Follow the Stars” encourages visitors to discover artwork, natural elements and exhibitions with special Indiana ties, and share their experience on social media using the hashtag #IMAFollowtheStars.
“19 Stars of Indiana Art” runs through January 8 and is included with general admission.
For additional information regarding the exhibition and other Bicentennial events at IMA, www.imamuseum.org.
