Angela.Hursh@CincinnatiLibrary.org
(513) 369-6967
Chris.Rice@CincinnatiLibrary.org
(513) 369-7817
Sept. 4, 2015
MEDIA ALERT: Italian literature inspires contemporary artwork
in the new Seeing Calvino exhibit at the Main Library
What: Seeing Calvino Exhibit
Who: Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
When: Sept. 1 – Nov. 20, 2015
Where: Main Library, 800 Vine St. (downtown)
Why: To showcase Italo Calvino-inspired artwork through the perspectives of three
Ohio artists.
Seeing Calvino is an attempt by Ohio artists Leighton Connor, Matt Kish, and Joe Kuth
to “see” the work of the Italian writer Italo Calvino (1923-1985) through the creation of
illustrations responding to and exploring his ideas. The three artists’ work will be on
display in the Popular Library of the Main Library Sept.1 – Nov. 20, 2015.
Started as a Tumblr in April of 2014, the three artists began interpreting each of
Calvino’s Invisible Cities in the order they appear in the book, with a new city posted
each week. The three illustrators had their own individual methods of bringing Calvino’s
words to life, and took a variety of approaches to their cities, often exploring territory
and tools new to them in an attempt to capture the spirit of the text.
The result is a wide range of styles, from solidly representational to near-abstract. The
artists also employed a variety of media including acrylic, watercolor, gouache paints,
pen and ink, colored pencils, markers and collage. The 55 illustrations comprising the
entirety of the cities named in Calvino's book were completed by the trio in April.
The exhibit is located in the Popular Library, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through
Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. The Main Library is
located at 800 Vine St.
For exhibit details, visit CincinnatiLibrary.org or call 513-369-6900.
About The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is one of the oldest, largest, and busiest libraries
in the United States, serving a population of over 800,000 with a collection of more than 9 million
items. In support of its mission of connecting people with the world of ideas and information, the
Library also offers a wide variety of services and more than 20,000 free programs each year . For more
information, visit CincinnatiLibrary.org.
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