New Carleton College Art Exhibit Takes A Journey Through ‘Wonderland’

A new art exhibit in the Perlman Teaching Museum at Carleton College promises to take audiences on a journey through ‘wonderland.’ Alice and Wonderland presents the works of four artists who visit the legendary destination made famous in Lewis Carroll’s imaginative childhood classic, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” via photography, computer technology, painting, drawing, and “magic” mushrooms. Alice and Wonderland opens Friday, April 5 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with a reception and remarks by two of the featured artists, Kate Casanova and John Largaespada at 7:45 p.m.  This exhibit is free and open to the public.

Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” has inspired artists since its initial publication in 1865. John Tenniel’s original illustrations helped define a cast of characters including the winsome, blonde Alice; the March hare; the Red Queen; the Mad Hatter; the Cheshire Cat; the Caterpillar and more. Over the years, many illustrators and fine artists have re-interpreted and elaborated on the visual world that is ‘Wonderland.’

Carleton College’s exhibition, Alice and Wonderland, presents works by four visual artists, three from Minnesota and one from South Africa. John Largaespada creates intense visual dramas inspired by the text using live models, photographs and computer imaging. Alexa Horochowski alludes to classic tales including “Alice in Wonderland” and “Frankenstein” in paintings presenting whimsical, psychologically charged scenes. Kate Casanova also creates “sticky metaphors,” including an elaborate chair colonized by mushrooms, to upend the usual power dynamics between humans and nature. Wilma Cruise, from South Africa, draws inspiration from Lewis Carroll in her Alice Sequence, journaling focused on the fraught relationship between animals and humankind.

To learn more about the artists featured in Alice and Wonderland and to see samples of their work, visit online at go.carleton.edu/alice/.

Alice and Wonderland is on display in conjunction with the Carleton Players’ performance of “Alice in Wonderland,” being presented April 11 through 14 in collaboration with St. Olaf College and Minneapolis’ renowned dance-theater company, Flying Foot Forum. Directed by Flying Foot Forum’s Joe Chvala, performances are free and open to the public. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at www.carleton.tixato.com/buy/.

Alice and Wonderland is on display in the Kaemmer Family Gallery of the Perlman Teaching Museum in the Weitz Center for Creativity through April 28, 2013. The Weitz Center for Creativity is located at Third and College Streets in Northfield. Hours are: Monday–Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Thursday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Saturday: noon–4:00 p.m.; and Sunday: closed. For more information, call 507-222-4342 or 4469 or visit online at http://go.carleton.edu/museum.