The Kubašta Exhibit at the Bienes Museum

Pop-ups, Illustrated Books, and Graphic Designs of Czech Artist and Paper Engineer, Vojtěch Kubašta (1914-1992)

The Bienes Center for Literary Arts [now The Bienes Museum], Broward County Main Library, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jan 25-April 30, 2005)

It was James (Jim) A. Findlay, Librarian, Bienes Museum of the Modern Book, who contacted me in 2004 to suggest an exhibit of Kubašta’s work. The Popuplady jumped in with both feet, offered her extensive collection, and marched up to Canada to see and photograph the collection of Kubašta’s daughter, Dagmar. Dagmar’s prodigeous memory of her father’s work-life was incredible. Our time together was joyously spent poring over original art, books and papers, and the original cards and posters Kubašta lovingly created for the family. Her enthusiasm and generous spirit made the 4 days in Canada fly by.

Jim has a history of winning awards for his spectacular exhibition catalogs. His expertise created the Kubašta catalog which won The Mary Ellen LoPresti Award for Excellence in Art Publishing, Exhibition Catalog-Honorable Mention given by The Art Libraries Society of North America-Southeast Chapter. The cover is from Kubašta’s Flying Through The Universe, and includes the rocket pop-up. Included in the 4-color catalog, in addition to the 150 items* from the exhibit are four essays, Kubašta in Context:
1. Prague: History and Art in Vojtěch Kubašta’s Golden City by Belena Chapp
2. The Life and Art of Vojtěch Kubašta by Ellen G. K. Rubin
3. The Fairy Tale Movable Books of Vojtěch Kubaštaby Gerry Bohning
4. My Father, My Best Friend: Reminiscences of Vojtěch Kubašta: A Daughter’s Persepctive by Dagmar Kubastová Vrkljan
5. Opus VK-Kubašta’s self-prepared bilbiography

See the full listing of the books, objects, and essays in the exhibit, including Opus VK, the bibliography.

*includes:postcards, greeting cards, posters,clay objects, personal papers, Picasso sketch, photos