The Seed of a Dialogue

1960s Directors Exhibitions Founders Jan van der Marck

Jan van der Marck, the museum's founding director, was responsible for planning cutting-edge exhibitions such as Art by Telephone and Pictures to be Read/Poetry to be Seen.

The thing I remember most about the beginning of the museum is Jan van der Marck being the first director and being absolutely brilliant. The first show was Pictures to be Read/Poetry to be Seen, which changes how you view the art. It isn't just you go in and you look at a picture. He's already planted the seed of a dialogue, I think. He did Art by Telephone, which preceded MoMA's Information exhibition. I don't know that he got any credit for it until he was dead, but it was an interesting exhibition.

Installation view, Pictures to be Read/Poetry to be Seen, MCA Chicago, Oct 24–Dec 3, 1967. Photo: David Van Riper, © MCA Chicago.

Installation view, Pictures to be Read/Poetry to be Seen, MCA Chicago, Oct 24–Dec 3, 1967. Photo: David Van Riper, © MCA Chicago.

Installation view, Art by Telephone, MCA Chicago, Nov 1–Dec 14, 1969. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Installation view, Art by Telephone, MCA Chicago, Nov 1–Dec 14, 1969. Photo © MCA Chicago.

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