The story of a 1930s Chicago mobster is told through original illustrations from the debut graphic novel by Landis Blair, David Carlson
The Indiana University Northwest campus and the greater community are invited to view “The Hunting Accident/First Chapter,” an exhibit curated by Aron Packer and Bert Green, in the School of the Arts Gallery, located on the second floor of the Arts & Sciences Building. The exhibit runs from July 29 through October 4.
The exhibit is a collection of original artwork from the debut graphic novel “The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry,” by first-time graphic novelists Landis Blair, illustrator, and David Carlson, author. This 400-page graphic novel is based on the true story of Matt Rizzo, a blind poet, convicted felon and cellmate of the infamous Nathan Leopold, who tells his son, Charlie Rizzo, about his secret life as a mobster in 1930s Chicago.
A reception is planned in the gallery for 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3 and again, from noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11. On August 3, attendees will hear a presentation from Blair, Rizzo, Carlson, and Parker at 3 p.m. Blair and Rizzo will return for the second reception on Sep. 11 at 1 p.m.
Packer describes the exhibit as a “multi-disciplinary collaboration across disciplines―visual, historical, the humanities, politics and more.” The exhibit’s original pen and ink illustrations from the novel’s first 31 pages serve as an introduction to the story, and the characters. Other exhibit elements include three framed visuals critical to the book that serves to situate the viewer. Nearby, artifacts and ephemera include: Matt Rizzo's braille typewriter and mug shot, a jail key, early storyboards, and sketchbooks, among other objects. The exhibition will also feature a series of stop time-lapse videos of Blair’s art-making process while in the studio.
“Landis Blair’s illustrative contributions have brought to life a tale that seems almost unbelievable,” Packer said. " ‘The Hunting Accident’ is a visual and literary trip through time, nostalgia, and rabbit holes laced with pain and mystery, undeniable love and affection, poetry and crime, clarity and humanity.”
The IU Northwest Gallery for Contemporary Art is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The gallery is located in the Savannah Center neighboring the IU Northwest Book Store. For information about parking policies at IU Northwest, visit iun.edu/parking/visitors-and-guests/index.htm
For more information on the exhibit, contact Lauren Pacheco at 219-981-5627 or lpachec@iu.edu.
