Western Mass Art: Catch it Now!
It's Me Eloise: The Voice of Kay Thompson and the Art of Hilary Knight
Eric Carle Museum
(Amherst)
Through June 4, 2017
140 Unlimited
Mount Holyoke College
Museum of Art (South Hadley)
Through May 28, 2018
(and beyond)
I did not grow up with Eloise, the slightly naughty,
slightly precocious, and the exceedingly privileged little girl who lived in
the Plaza Hotel with rich parents that mostly fobbed her off on her nanny. I
intend no sexism when I say that Eloise books weren't exactly normal fare for
little boys back in the days when I was one. All of what I know about the
franchise is secondhand via my wife and it was of the variety that nearly made
me opt out of a visit to the Eric Carle Museum. I'm glad I didn't.
The current exhibit is a totally charming display of book
graphics, story mockups, magazine covers, and spinoffs covering the years 1947
to the present. The first date surprised me, as the first Eloise book didn't
appear until 1954. I was unaware that Thompson was already a radio star before
she began authoring children's books devoted to her diminutive heroine. Nor did
I know that the Eloise books evolved from a radio persona she assumed in 1947. Think
something akin to Lily Tomlin's Edith Ann character. The Eric Carle Museum has
several headphones stations where we can hear Thompson portraying Eloise on the
air, as well as a middle-of-the-room section devoted to Eloise on radio,
records, and stage.
The outside walls of the gallery are devoted to photos, text
panels, and artwork. We learn first about Thompson, who lived in the Plaza for
much of starlet days and had a stubborn streak of her own. I simply had no idea
of her days as a singer on Bing Crosby radio shows in the 1930s, or of her
Broadway and movie work. We also learn of Hilary Knight to whom I had
previously paid so little attention that I failed to note the single L in the
first name and assumed to be a woman. But Eloise is the star of the exhibit—in
all of her various franchise turns—books, recordings, TV shows, musicals, toys,
games, and assorted paraphernalia—that outlived her creators. Yes, she is a
snooty little toff, but her spunk and insouciance are enough to melt the class
barriers of a Maoist. So too are the hilarious predicaments in which she embroils
herself. It's easy to understand her appeal to spirited little girls. Take one
with you if you can but if not, go anyhow. All you need is a young attitude; It's Me Eloise is for kids young and old.
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| Addario, Two Burqas |
The Mount Holyoke College Museum of Art (MHCMA) recently
celebrated its 140th birthday. Years before that event, college
curators had the inspired idea to collect 140 new objects to display during the
birthday bash. The MHCMA, though not a pauper, lacks the sizable endowments
that periodically refresh the galleries of Smith, Yale, Harvard, or Amherst. In
practical terms this meant the MHCMA had to collect smart, cultivate donors,
and work closely with faculty to discuss topics such as inclusiveness,
worthiness, and usefulness of items as future teaching tools. Try doing all of
that on a limited budget. The result is quite impressive.
One way to keep costs in line is to buy photographs. I'm not
wild about the minor Joel Meyerowitz offerings, but there are stunning shots by
others, especially work done by shutterbugs such as Lynsey Addario and Pieter
Hugo in Africa, and by Livia Corona in Mexico. Check out the story behind
Addario's shot titled "Two Burqas;" it's too good for a spoiler.
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| Andy Warhol |
The rest of the objects are a delicious Mulligan stew that
includes works from Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, a mesmerizing Mannerist painting
of Judith and Holofernes by Benton Spurance, and known and lesser-known Old Masters. There also
objects ranging from Classical antiquities and African masks to an Asian Buddha
and Pueblo ceramics. The overall effect is more like sorting through the
backroom of an art auction house than the stiff formalism of a museum.
As an integrated group this exhibit closes in a few short
weeks, but the MHCMA now owns these items and many are sure to become longtime
favorites.
Rob Weir
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| Benton Spurance |
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| Chuck Close |
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| Pueblo Ceramic |
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