“What Makes Us Smile?” is a playful celebration of human joy that is co-curated by renowned creator of “The Simpsons,” Matt Groening, artist Gary Panter, known for, among many other things, his whimsy behind Pee-Wee Herman’s Playhouse, and Museum founder Rebecca Hoffberger. “Smile” features the costumes, cartoons, out-loud & 3-D glee-filled surprises created by 90 artists, imps, and
comedians with accompanying essays, factoids, quotes and blurbs that revel in the history and science behind the gift of laughter.
Among the highlights: The comedian Michael Baldwin’s spectacular toy assemblages, created from five decades of dedicated dumpster-diving; the wickedly funny cartoons of the late quadriplegic artist John Callahan; and the comical, “unflattering” portraits by Rev. Aitor. Other exciting contributions include the comic visionary embroideries of Chris Roberts-Antieau and an homage to MAD Magazine including the glittering, beaded, beetle-winged bed by Patty Kuzbida.
The show runs through September 4, 2011.
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