Where the Wild Things Are and other children's novels by Maurice Sendak are displayed at the Denver Art Museum. photo by Daniella Prime-Morales
The new exhibit features art from beloved children’s author Maurice Sendak.
The popular children’s novel, Where The Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak, has been adapted in many different ways since its original publication in 1963. From three different film adaptations, an Opera, features in episodes of the Simpsons, and inspiring singer and songwriter Alessia Cara in her hit song “Wild Things,” this story has done it all. Recently, for the first time ever, the story and many other works from the author were displayed in an art museum. This exhibit, originally titled “Wild Things are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak,” was first shown in the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus OH, in October of 2022. Now, the works are being proudly presented at the Denver Art Museum downtown under the name “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak.”
Along with the original drawings and inspiration for Where The Wild Things Are, the exhibit also features set designs and costume pieces from both the feature films and Opera. Each of the nine rooms in the exhibit showcase works from Sendak’s pieces including Alligators All Around, Chicken Soup With Rice, and In the Night Kitchen. Along with those novels, the artist also worked on a number of television shows and operas, directing Really Rosie and creating costume and set designs for The Magic Flute.
Another great factor of this new exhibit is the opportunity to learn about Sendak’s life. The author died in 2012, and this new exhibit is a great homage to him. He was a Polish-American Gay Jewish man who grew up in Brooklyn, New York in the 1930’s. Learning about his life experiences and how he reflected them through his works is a great addition to visiting the exhibit. Sendak’s love for Mozart, Mickey Mouse, and his dogs are expressed in their very own “chapters” or rooms of the exhibit. He worked on many plays involving Mozart’s works, such as his work on the opera The Magic Flute. He went as far to say, “If anybody could prove to me that Mozart was God, I would believe in God forever.”
While what was so inspiring about Mozart to Sendak is not exactly clear, Mozart’s great influence on Sendak’s life is evident. Though Mickey Mouse and Motzart do not have much in common, Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney had a significant impact on Sendak’s childhood. He once stated, “What Michelangelo was to a Renaissance child, Walt Disney was to a Brooklyn Jewish child.” In this part of the exhibit,his tributes to Mickey Mouse (such as his novel In The Night Kitchen) is featured, and the many Mickey Mouse related things he owned. Lastly, the end of the exhibit displays the countless sketches Sendak created of his many dogs. His first dog, Jennie, was featured in almost every book he wrote from 1954 to 1967, and his later dogs, Io and Erda, were also featured in many of Sendak’s novels.
The colorful and captivating exhibit is sure to be a great experience for people of all ages to learn about not only a beloved children’s book, but also the very intriguing author who brought the tale to life. Ticket prices vary from $5 to $30, depending on age and occupation (tickets are cheaper for teachers and veterans.) Visit the exhibit while the art is still in Denver from October 13, 2024 to January 15, 2025.
