Nine At The Museum

On Wednesday, September 22, 2010 I heard that the legendary Seymour Chwast was going to be at the Corcoran, giving a lecture and promoting his new book. He is one of the most influential graphic designers and illustrators and left a lasting impression on me when I first met him in 1992. I was a student in the graphic design program at Penn State and we were so fortunate to have some of the most legendary icons visit our program. There were 19 students and I don’t know if we truly realized the masters we were meeting. Fondly, I thought how inspiring it would be for my two children to  get a glimpse into the profession in which I have worked for 19 years and to see some of Chwast’s award-winning work.

I read the description of the evening’s lecture and noticed that the invitation said “All Ages.” How perfect, I thought. Maybe they’ll even have a chance to meet him in person. I supposed I should mention that my two girls are 4 and 9. That still counted as all ages in my mind so on our way to the Corcoran I’m filling their brains with some background on some of the children’s books he’s done, his amazing posters, and a bit of his career at Push Pin Studios. They were most excited just to be on their way to “the city.” My 4-year-old did mention wanting to see dinosaurs and I think I might have suggested that there were some at this museum. In the very least, a fun gift store. Fibbing for my own personal pleasure of having a chance to hear the lecture.

Once inside the small lecture-in-the-round type room, the girls and I settled into our seats. I began to glance around the room and noticed that I was the only person who interpreted the “all ages” message literally. The lights dimmed, the legend walked out to a small table with a laptop, and the screen began to display some of Chwast’s projects… from the start of his career. I was enamored, but also panicking that I was in for a long night with two children, and we were only at the 1960’s. As my 4-year-old began to wiggle and worm and inquire about the dinosaurs, I noticed my 9-year-old moved to the edge of her seat in utter fascination, laughing along with the adults as Mr. Chwast walked us through his drawings and political statements with humorous twists.

The decades moved quickly and the next thing I knew the lights were back up and the host of the evening asked if there were any questions. Instantly, 9 raises her hand. A few other adults do too and proceed to ask several intelligent questions about design ethics, working in New York City etc. and all I can do is wonder what 9 will ask? She continued to sit on the edge of her seat in her designer black turtleneck for what seemed like a very long time. Seymour was just not calling on her. Adults were beginning to just shout out their next question and she whispers… “Mommy, why isn’t he calling on me?” Finally, the host closes the floor to questions and says, “Mr. Chwast, there is a little girl over there who has had her hand raised the whole time.” Now, I’m on the edge of my seat as all eyes are on us. He lowers his glasses in recognition and she projects her most sweet question. “How long does it take you to do an illustration?” Ahh, I sit back as he answers in great length the range of “2 minutes to 2 years.” I was so proud of her for not only the content of her question, but for her ability to even ask a question in a room filled with so many intellectuals.

Afterwards, as we stood in line to buy his new book Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Graphic Adaption. I explained to my 4-year-old that this, to me, was like standing in line to see Santa. “Seymour is my Santa, only he signs books.” I bought a book for my 9-year-old which he personalized to her in his custom handwritten font. And, of course one for myself.

My children both love to illustrate, but I think that evening in the lecture hall inspired one 9-year-old beyond expectations. Next week, the dinosaur museum.

 

Dante's Divine Comedy adapted by Seymour Chwast