BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN (stephaniebuhmann.com) | Featuring works by Meghan Boody, Joe Fig, Julie Heffernan, Gail LeBoff, Ethan Murrow and Virginia Wagner, this well-conceived exhibition is inspired by depictions of alternate worlds that are rooted in the imagination. The works, which differ in style and aesthetic, translate as dreamscapes and fantastical landscapes.
They describe a place where the possibility of the unexpected flourishes, and exciting adventures seem possible at every turn. Though presented in a museum devoted to children, this exhibition does not lack a pull for all generations.
It will certainly captivate young and old alike, as it manifests as a joyous celebration of the art of visual storytelling. Meanwhile, many of the works are rich in minute detail, allowing the audience to make many astounding discoveries. Sometimes the latter includes larger, complex issues — such as the reality of youthful turmoil, changing identities or the confusion of illusion.
In a refreshingly warm press statement, the Children’s Museum of the Arts expresses its simple expectation: “Audiences are urged to fill in the blanks for themselves, identify with the familiar and non-familiar, and venture into the unknown, all before returning home safely. Please join us as we transport you into a world of transformation where anything is possible.”
Through Sept. 6. In the Cynthia C. Wainwright Gallery, at the Children’s Museum of the Arts (103 Charlton St. btw. Hudson & Greenwich Sts.). Hours: Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. / Mon. 12–5 p.m. / Thurs.–Fri. 12–6 p.m. Admission: infants free, $12 for ages 1–65, (for seniors, pay-as-you-wish). Call 212-274-0986 or visit cmany.org.
