November 7, 2008 – January 7, 2009 A Multidisciplinary Project of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts America’s obsession with the superhero dates to the late 1930s
and early 1940s, when the comic book industry saw an explosion in readership and in new titles. In an era of uncertainty, comic books and superheroes offered readers an escape from the realities of the Great Depression and World War II, as well as the possibility of victory over evils of all kinds. The exhibition includes a number of vintage comic books from this “Golden Age” of superheroes, dating from the 1940s to the 1960s.
As recent Hollywood films illustrate, superheroes continue to fascinate 21st century Americans. The exhibition features the work of three contemporary artists who are inspired by the idea of the superhero.
Mark Newport knits superhero costumes to his own size. Hanging empty on the wall, these disembodied costumes comment on traditional notions of masculine identity and our idealization of unattainable powers.
Superman, no. 11 (Jul-Aug 1941), collection of Michigan State University Libraries, © DC Comics Batman, no. 23 (Jun-Jul 1944), collection of Michigan State University Libraries, © DC Comics
Dulce Pinzón photographs Mexican immigrants in popular U.S. and Mexican superhero costumes as they work at low-wage jobs. The captions tell how much each worker sends home to his or her family each week, forcing us to consider what a superhero really is.
Mark Newport, He Could Help, 2005, archival ink jet print, courtesy of the artist and Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle
Robbie Cooper, Lee Taek Soo - Crammer, 2007, C-print mounted on Plexi, courtesy of the artist
Knitting Bee Thu, Nov 6, 5:30–7:30pm The Center, Ketchum Free Get a sneak peek at The Center’s new exhibition and knit with featured artist Mark Newport. Bring a friend and your own project. There will be inspiration in the gallery, light snacks, drinks and good company. No instruction provided.
Fri, Nov 7, 6–9pm Free for Center members / $5 nonmembers Party like a superhero and join us for a tented (and heated) street party next to The Center to celebrate the opening of Superheroes & Secret Identities. food, drink and dancing to tunes from DJ Lenny Joseph of KECH radio. Come dressed as your favorite superhero!
The Graphic Novel —Teen Workshop with Leslie Patricelli
Sat, Nov 15, 10am –4pm The Center, Hailey $10, Registration deadline: Fri, Nov 7 Join author and illustrator Leslie Patricelli for a day of comic-making fun. You'll learn about drawing superheroes, pen and ink technique and the format of the graphic novel. Design your own unique superhero and arch enemy, then create a mini graphic novel using your characters. We will sketch and draw with pencil and pen on paper.
I want to be a Superhero —Family Day with Leslie Patricelli Sun, Nov 16, 3–5pm The Center, Ketchum Free Who is your favorite superhero? If you could have a super power what would it be? Come sketch, draw, cut and paste your craziest ideas. Books, dolls, action figures and costumes for inspiration are encouraged.
It’s the First Place to Be!
Fri, Nov 28 and Fri, Dec 26, 5:30–6:30pm Join us for wine and hors d’oeuvres Open for Gallery Walk until 8pm
Free Exhibition Tours Every Tue at 2pm or by arrangement
Special Evening Gallery Tour Thu, Nov 20, 5:30pm
Michael Chabon
Superhero Film Festival
Tue, Dec 9, 7pm NexStage Theatre, Ketchum $15 members / $20 nonmembers
Double Feature Superman & Superman II
Michael Chabon is a self-professed comic nerd who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for his novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. This epic story follows the rise of comic books through the experience of two Jewish cousins who create a masked superhero to save the world from evil against the backdrop of World War II. Chabon’s recent New Yorker article, Secret Skin: An Essay in Unitard Theory, explores the power of superheroes in our collective imagination. This lecture is made possible, in part, through the generosity of Teresa Heinz and Richard and Judith Smooke.
Sat, Nov 8 1pm & 3:30pm Magic Lantern Theater, Ketchum $5 adults / $3 kids 12 and under
Stephanie Rausser, 2007
the Internet has given all of us the chance to adopt alternate identities and extraordinary abilities in cyberspace. Robbie Cooper has traveled the globe photographing computer gamers. He pairs his photographs with images of these gamers’ online avatars, offering provocative insight into the online world of fantasy role-play.
See the original director’s cut of the classic movies featuring Christopher Reeve, in one afternoon!