Wonderstruck in the Panorama: Drawings by Brian Selznick

For the opening reception of Wonderstruck in the Panorama: The Drawings of Brian Selznick we are pleased to have the author and artist Brian Selznick on his only Queens appearance for his book launch. Standing on the Panorama itself, Selznick will talk about the process of creating Wonderstruck, the forthcoming release of Hugo, the Martin Scorsese directed film based on his previous book The Inven

The Panorama of the City of New York at the Queens Museum of Art is a mythical location steeped in nostalgia. From its beginnings as the main attraction at the New York City Pavilion in the 1964 World’s Fair to its contemporary role as a crowd pleasing destination for museum visitors of all ages, the Panorama has coaxed oohs and aahs from thousands, and served as muse, impetus for reflection, and quiet escape for scores of others. For Brian Selznick, bestselling children’s book author, artist, and Caldecott Award Winner, it proved to be a locus of memory and he cast the Panorama as a leading character in his latest novel, Wonderstruck, released by Scholastic Press on September 13, 2011. In conjunction with the release of the book, and marking the culmination of an ongoing collaboration with Selznick, the Queens Museum of Art presents Wonderstruck in the Panorama: Drawings by Brian Selznick, featuring 35 drawings, maquettes, sketches and storyboards that so magically capture the expanse of the Panorama, the experience of viewing it, and the process of writing about it. Wonderstruck in the Panorama: Drawings by Brian Selznick is on view September 18, 2011 - January 15, 2012 and is being exhibited on the walls overlooking the Panorama.

Wonderstruck, Selznick’s twenty-fifth book (including ones he’s illustrated for other authors) and second novel with words and pictures, weaves together the stories of two deaf children: Ben, whose story is told in text and set in 1977, and Rose, whose story is told in images and set in 1927. Their stories run in parallel and then merge in memorable scenes from beloved locations such as the American Museum of Natural History, the streets and subways of Manhattan, with the story concluding at the Queens Museum of Art and the Panorama. Wonderstruck in the Panorama explores Selznick’s creative process in constructing the worlds of Ben and Rose, and simultaneously uses documentary materials to examine the process of building the Panorama itself.

For the opening reception of Wonderstruck in the Panorama: The Drawings of Brian Selznick we are pleased to have the author and artist Brian Selznick on his only Queens appearance for his book launch. Standing on the Panorama itself, Selznick will talk about the process of creating Wonderstruck, the forthcoming release of Hugo, the Martin Scorsese directed film based on his previous book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and most of all his experiences working on, under, and above the Panorama. ASL interpretation of the talk will be provided for the hearing impaired.

Following the talk, the author will be on hand for book signing and meet and greet with fans. During the opening, drop in to our Education Studios where there will be free Wonderstruck-themed artmaking workshops suitable for all ages as well as light refreshments, ongoing throughout the afternoon.

SCHEDULE:

3:00-6:00pm, Education Studios: Drop-in Wonderstruck-themed artmaking workshops and light refreshments

4:00 - 4:30pm, Panorama: Brian Selznick Illustrated Talk (with ASL interpretation)

4:30 - 5:30pm, Lobby: Book Signing

5:30 - 6:00pm, Lobby: Meet & Greet

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ARTIST

Brian Selznick graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with the intention of becoming a set designer for the theater. However, after spending three years as a bookseller and designing window displays for a children’s bookstore in Manhattan, he was inspired to create children’s books of his own and in collaboration with other writers. These picture books have received many awards and distinctions, including a Caldecott Honor for The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and a Robert F. Sibert Honor for When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan. His first book, The Houdini Box, which he wrote and illustrated, was published in 1991 while he was still working at the bookstore. Wonderstruck is his twenty-fifth book. He divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.

Read the New York Times rave review on Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Event link at the time: http://www.queensmuseum.org/wonderstruck-family-day

Old links may no longer work.