Pow! Capturing Superheroes, Chess & Comics and Ladies’ Knight: A Female Perspective on Chess at the World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) in Saint Louis debuted an interactive new exhibition, Pow! Capturing Superheroes, Chess & Comics . The exhibit will be on view through September 17, 2017. With Pow! Capturing Superheroes, Chess & Comics, the WCHOF is presenting a family-friendly exhibit geared toward visitors of all ages. Visitors will enjoy over 200 chess-themed comic books, dressing up like their favorite superheroes, taking a selfie in the photo booth, perusing favorite comics in the reading room, illustrating in a drawing room, playing chess on fun boards featuring Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more.
The historic comics collection includes rare editions such as the earliest chess related cover, DC Comics' More Fun Comics 76, released in 1942, and a 1947 DC Action Comics Superman in The Cross Country Chess Crimes. Additionally, objects are on view for comic and chess aficionados to appreciate, including limited edition, collector comic-inspired chess sets.
Works in this exhibit are from the collection of WCHOF as well as on loan from Bernice and Floyd Sarisohn and Jeff Pennig, lender of original artwork by Bob Clarke from the 1963 No. 78 issue of Mad Magazine. Written contributions are by Michael Tisserand, author of Krazy: George Herriman, A Life in Black and White and Roy Thomas, former Editor in Chief at Marvel Comics. This year commemorates the fifth anniversary of the WCHOF.
The organization has welcomed more than 60,000 visitors since its opening. Its widespread acclaim has been complemented by the efforts of its sister organization, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, an educational institution that focuses on teaching and promoting the game of chess. The combined efforts of the Saint Louis chess campus led the United States Senate, in 2014, to declare Saint Louis the national capital of chess.
Admission to exhibit is complimentary with a suggested donation of $5. Proceeds from Q Boutique, the gift store of the WCHOF, support the exhibitions and education programs of the WCHOF.
And Don't Overlook this Exhibition Online: Ladies' Knight: A Female Perspective on Chess examines how a game often dominated by men inspires contemporary artists
The exhibition presents works by Crystal Fischetti, Debbie Han, Barbara Kruger, Liliya Lifanova, Goshka Macuga, Sophie Matisse, Yoko Ono, Daniela Raytchev, Jennifer Shahade, Yuko Suga, Diana Thater, and Rachel Whiteread. Their diverse interpretations of the game range from the playful and feminine to the serious, and encourage dialogue about subjects like crime, language, peace and conflict, and inequality.
The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) endeavors to present exhibitions that honor the game’s pioneers, reflect its significant cultural impact, and appeal to a wide audience. In 2015 and 2016, the WCHOF launched an initiative to encourage more women to take up the game. In February 2016, the WCHOF launched another exhibition, Her Turn: Revolutionary Women of Chess, which explored key historic moments in women's chess history.
Another ongoing Exhibition:
Showcasing some of the most unique, historic, and fun artifacts acquired by the World Chess Hall of Fame during the past five years, Open Files II: Celebrating 5 Years of Collecting includes 100 diverse objects from the institution’s permanent collection. Highlights include a rare Hungarian chess set, artwork by Rafael Tufiño, and selections from the archive of famed correspondence and computer chess pioneer Hans Berliner.
About the World Chess Hall of Fame: The World Chess Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization committed to building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on Sept. 9, 2011, in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New Windsor, New York; Washington, DC; and Miami. The World Chess Hall of Fame is located at 4652 Maryland Avenue, housed in a historic 15,900 square-foot residence-turned business, and features the US and World Chess Halls of Fame, displays of artifacts from the permanent collection and exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and rich cultural history of chess.
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