To complement the opening of its new Amusement Park Science exhibit, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan will simultaneously unveil a new exhibition of works by celebrated Brooklyn artist Philomena Marano.
The artworks will be on view until September 10 and are taken from Marano’s American Dreamland series, which illustrate the legendary Coney Island amusement park through iconic moments and scenes that span three decades, from 1979 to the present.
Marano is a New York City−based artist who grew up in Brooklyn, spending endless summers at Coney Island. She earned her BFA at Pratt Institute and later began work as a studio assistant to noted pop artist Robert Indiana. The artworks from American Dreamland are made using the papier collÉ method, which is a variation of the collage method.
Marano took pieces of brightly colored paper and cut them into the shapes of objects that she wanted to depict, then laid them on a canvas to depict large and impactful images.
“In the last few years alone, CMOM has exhibited original artworks by some of the world’s most influential artists, like Andy Warhol and Romare Bearden, and I am honored to have works from my American Dreamland series shown alongside their amazing Amusement Park Science exhibit,” said Marano. “CMOM’s dedication to educating children on a variety of subjects through art is unparalleled and I am glad to do my part and contribute to this effort.”
“CMOM is committed to educating children on how the arts can lead to deeper discussions both on the artworks themselves and the subjects they depict, and we cannot think of a better collaborator on our new Amusement Park Science exhibit than Philomena Marano,” said Andrew Ackerman, executive director, CMOM. “Philomena’s art not only captures the vibrant scenes once found in the legendary Coney Island amusement park, but demonstrates a unique method from which parents and children can learn.”
The artworks from the American Dreamland series featured at CMOM include papier collÉ originals, pigmented prints and a screenprint. Iconic images of the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Coca−Cola clock, Ferris wheel, bumper cars and other landmarks of Coney Island are vibrantly depicted in Marano’s unique style.
CMOM’s new Amusement Park Science exhibit, on display until September 10, explores the physics behind many popular amusement park attractions. The interactive exhibit expands upon children’s understanding of how science and creativity lead to important human advances and make concepts like Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion and centripetal force fun and accessible by describing them in the context of amusement park rides. Sponsored in New York by Toys “R” Us Times Square, Amusement Park Science features 12 hands−on activity stations.
The Amusement Park Science exhibit was researched, developed and produced by the Discovery Center Museum of Rockford (IL), Inc., via the five−museum national collaborative TEAMS (Traveling Exhibitions At Museums of Science) with funding from the National Science Foundation. Amusement Park Science is arranged to resemble a typical amusement park, with “ticket booths” at the entrance and Newt, the exhibit’s mascot with a passion for scientific exploration, greeting visitors.
