In Search of Norman Rockwell's America
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press | Checklist (PDF)
In Search of Norman Rockwell's America is a groundbreaking exhibition that pairs the work of American icon Norman Rockwell with images by award-winning photojournalist Kevin Rivoli. Unprecedented in concept, this exhibition features a selection of thirty-five black and white photographs alongside similarly evocative Rockwell originals: paintings, drawings, and limited artist's prints.
Twenty years ago, while working as a photojournalist, Kevin Rivoli began taking "slice of life" photographs—images of family, community, patriotism, milestones, and people enjoying simple pleasures. It was not until many years later that he realized their similarity to Rockwell's work, not only in mood and subject, but also in composition.
Rockwell, who was (and remains) immensely popular among the American people, is often dismissed by critics who claimed his work was too idealistic, sentimental and nostalgic. Rockwell was often accused of creating moments that didn't exist, or, as one critic alleged, for "creating an America that never was and never will be." Rockwell disagreed, saying he "was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed." Rivoli's photographs disprove critics' claims that Rockwell created moments that never were. In Search of Norman Rockwell's America shows us the same world Rockwell painted—an America that is still alive and well.
A companion book published by Howard Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, of the same title accompanies the tour. The book features an essay by Dr. Andrew Mendelson, chair of the Department of Journalism at Temple University, as well as statements from collectors, friends, and admirers of Rockwell's work, including President Jimmy Carter, Dolly Parton, Dick Clark, Lee Iacocca, Debbie Reynolds, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell, Brian Williams, and Beau Bridges, to name a few.
Specifications:
| Number of Works: | 70 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs | ||||||
| Organized by: | Kevin and Michele Rivoli in collaboration with IA&A | ||||||
| Approximate size: | 370 running feet |
||||||
| Security: | High security | ||||||
| Fee: | $50,000 | ||||||
| Reduced Fee: | $30,000 plus outgoing shipping For 8 weeks, December 2010 - April 2011 |
||||||
| Shipping: | IA&A makes all arrangements; exhibitors pay outgoing costs within the contiguous US | ||||||
| Booking Time: | 8 weeks | ||||||
| Tour: |
|
||||||
| Publication: | Companion book | ||||||
| Availability: | November 2010 - April 2011; possible extension, please inquire |
||||||
| Contact: | Nicole Forrest | ||||||
Tour Schedule:
The Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, Panama City, FL
June 12, 2009 - August 8, 2009
Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN
August 26, 2009 - November 1, 2009
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, Wausau, WI
November 21, 2009 - January 24, 2010
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL
February 12, 2010 - April 25, 2010
Fuchu Art Museum, Tokyo, JAPAN
May 19, 2010 - July 11, 2010
Koriyama City Museum, Koriyama City, JAPAN
September 18, 2010 - November 7, 2010
Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
December 10, 2010 – February 25, 2011
Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX
May 5, 2011 - June 30, 2011
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press
