American Utopia by David Byrne

American Utopia by David Byrne

From former Talking Heads frontman and multimedia visionary David Byrne and revered bestselling author, illustrator, and artist Maira Kalman--an inspiring celebration in words and art of the connections between us all.

A joyful collaboration between old friends David Byrne and Maira Kalman, American Utopia offers readers an antidote to cynicism, bursting with pathos, humanism, and hope--featuring his words and lyrics brought to life with more than 150 of her colorful paintings.

The text is drawn from David Byrne's American Utopia, which has become a hit Broadway show--returning to Broadway on September 18, 2020, and soon to be a documentary from Spike Lee. The four-color artwork, by Maira Kalman, which she created for the Broadway show's curtain, is composed of small moments, expressions, gestures, and interactions that together offer a portrait of daily life and coexistence.

With their creative talents combined, American Utopia is a salvo for kindness and a call for jubilation, a reminder to sing, dance, and waste not a moment. Beautifully designed and edited by Alex Kalman, American Utopia is a balm for the soul from two of the world's most extraordinary artists.

Maira Kalman is the illustrator of The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr, the author of My Favorite Things, Principles of Uncertainty, and the bestselling And the Pursuit of Happiness, and the author/illustrator of numerous children's books. Her artwork has graced multiple covers of The New Yorker, and her watches, clocks, accessories, and paperweights have been featured at the Museum of Modern Art store. She lives in New York City.

Alex Kalman is a designer, curator, writer, and creative director. He is the founder, director, and a chief curator of Mmuseumm, a new type of museum described as curatorial genius by The Atlantic and one of the top twelve hidden art gems in the world by the New York Times T Magazine. He also published the very first ever Op-Object column in the New York Times. His artwork, films, installations, and exhibitions have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art, the Venice Architecture Biennale, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His latest project, Future Aleppo, was on exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, and will open at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London in 2018. He lives in New York City.