A Field Trip to the Zimmerli

People who live in Manhattan tend to forget that the outer boroughs and suburbs are treasure troves of wonderful art. A perfect example is The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The inquisitive New Yorker who ventures across the Hudson River by bus, train or car, will be especially rewarded with the museum's line up of special exhibitions this Fall season.

On right now is a small but very fine show entitled "Technical Detours: The Early Work of Moholy-Nagy Reconsidered". Focusing on the years immediately following World War I, the museum has assembled a strong selection of paintings and graphics by the Hungarian Avant Garde artist, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, and his circle. This choice of special exhibition is a natural compliment to the museum's "Riabov Collection of Russian Art" and the "Dodge Collection of Nonconformist Art from the Soviet Union", both exhibited as permanent installations.

Other interesting features currently on view include a look at the small but important graphic arts movement "Letterisme", a display of illustrated books and periodicals in "Word and Image in Late 19th Century Paris", and the charming "By Its Cover: Original Art for Children's Books". Later in November, Francophiles will be treated to "Toulouse-Lautrec and the French Imprint: Fin-de-Siècle Posters in Paris, Brussels and Barcelona".

The Zimmerli has extensive holdings in the graphic arts - primarily French works on paper - and they can put together some pretty impressive shows just by drawing from their own store rooms. For me, the gallery devoted to Japonisme alone was worth the excursion!