Poster House, the first museum in the United States dedicated to the global history of posters, has four new exhibitions for the spring season. The two main exhibitions, Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters and The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie opened to the public on March 14, 2024. Accompanying these will be two compelling mini-exhibitions, No Escape: The Legacy of Attica Lives! and an extension of the successful fall 2023 show We Tried to Warn You! Environmental Crisis Posters, 1970–2020, opened on April 25, 2024.
Main Exhibitions (March 14- September 8)
Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters
Curated by Nicholas D. Lowry, this exhibition highlights 80 works that chronicle the representation of New York City to travelers, immigrants, and tourists throughout the 20th century. The “Wonder City” marketing campaign, initiated in the 19th century, appeared in various media and led to the creation of more travel posters for New York than any other city worldwide. The exhibition offers a visual journey through iconic landmarks and personal moments of New Yorkers, captured by artists such as Charles Edward Chambers, Adolph Treidler, and Edward McKnight Kauffer.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Poster House, in partnership with Abrams, have released Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters, an art book featuring exhibited works and essays by design experts.
The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie
Curated by Angelina Lippert, this exhibition showcases 34 iconic movie posters designed by Dawn Baillie over her 40-year career. Baillie, a founding partner of BLT Communications, is known for her simple yet powerful designs for films such as Dirty Dancing, Silence of the Lambs, and Little Miss Sunshine. The exhibition explores the evolution of movie poster design, from traditional paste-ups to digital technology, highlighting Baillie’s significant impact on the film industry.
Mini-Exhibitions (April 25 – November 3)
No Escape: The Legacy of Attica Lives!
Curated by Adam Howard, this exhibition features 18 works documenting the 1971 Attica Correctional Facility prison riot, the bloodiest in U.S. history. The posters reflect the national outcry and ongoing impact of the uprising, ensuring the legacy of the inmates’ struggle and the subsequent reforms remain in public consciousness.
We Tried to Warn You! Environmental Crisis Posters, 1970–2020
Curated by Tim Medland, this exhibition presents 33 works that track the global history of environmental activism through posters. The posters, ranging from whimsical to apocalyptic, highlight key events and movements, such as Earth Day and the creation of the EPA. Artists featured include Amos Kennedy, Robert Rauschenberg, and Milton Glaser.
About Poster House
Opened in June 2019, Poster House is the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to the global history of posters. Its mission is to explore the hidden histories of poster art, their role in today’s media landscape, and the continued evolution of design. Poster House presents the impact, culture, and design of posters as historical documents and contemporary visual communication tools. Learn more at posterhouse.com.