Every four years for more than a century, the Carnegie Museum of Art has brought the art world to Pittsburgh during the Carnegie International. The 59th annual Carnegie International opened on May 2 and will be running through January 3. The umbrella theme is “If the word we” and the art you can explore has been created by 61 artists from 26 countries and territories around the world.

This year, in an effort to connect more with the community at large, the International extends its reach to include exhibits at a range of different places, including the Kamin Science Center, the Mattress Factory, The Thelma Lovette YMCA and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

“Maybe people don’t feel like the museum has much to offer them,” says Ryan Inouye, part of the team of International curators that also includes Danielle A. Jackson and Liz Park. “But what if we meet them where they are? Then, hopefully, when they understand something there has something to do with their lives, then they make it back to the museum.”

The “we” in the title encompasses collaborations across communities, globally and locally. It’s about listening, learning and engaging.  

Indian artist Sanchayan Ghosh’s piece in front of the Children’s Museum is a prime example of how that type of relationship can work. His “Post Office: Letters From Here and Elsewhere” was created through on-site visits over the past year, learning about the history, space and neighborhood through a series of workshops with families to explore the concept and meaning of home.

“They brought objects that represent home and drew pictures of things in their homes,” says Danielle Linzer, senior director of education at the Children’s Museum. “Then they posed with their objects and drawings and families in front of large-size silk screens that had been coated with a light-sensitive emulsion. When the light shined on the families and cast a shadow, that shadow was captured as their portraits.”

Those resulting translucent panels and color blocks are built into a 3-D steel sculpture.

“Children can go inside it,” Linzer says. “It changes with the light and the seasons as a kind of crystal structure. As light passes through all the different panels, it creates fun color blocks and shadows — kind of rainbows in the space.”

While the Carnegie International closes Jan. 3, the Children’s Museum plans to keep “Post Office” on display for at least a year.

“We relied so much on the community of artists and makers to realize the vision of an artist who lives 7,500 miles away,” Linzer says. “It is an interesting and lovely international collaboration that I think is the best of what the International represents, which is bringing the creativity of the world to Pittsburgh.”

Along with experiencing some of the hands-on programming planned throughout the run and checking out the remarkable piece of art outside the Children’s Museum, here are six more artistic creations you can visit with kids. We think these will engage kids and inspire them to make their own art. 

“Tomorrow Was Yesterday.” Photo by Torkwase Dyson.

“Tomorrow Was Yesterday”

Torkwase Dyson’s 4K, full-dome video animation offers an immersive experience in Kamin Science Center’s Buhl Planetarium. The artist, a Chicago native, takes viewers into an underwater environment of drilling and excavation. “Tomorrow Was Yesterday” plays on Wednesdays and select Sundays at the Buhl Planetarium.

“Puppeteer (Archipelago).” Photo by Sally Quinn.
“Puppeteer (Archipelago).” Photo by Sally Quinn.

“Puppeteer (Archipelago)”

With inspired thoughts on geology, resources and human relationships, South Korean artist Hyun Nahm created an island sculpture in the shape of a melting motorcycle. The intricate details include a volcano, mining and a miniature city with tiny people zooming along on little roads. Also, hanging cubes hold objects like insects, toys and mineral samples. The cubes are arranged in the night sky as seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

“MATSUELA (tears).” Photo by Sally Quinn.

“MATSUELA (tears)”

These works by Democratic Republic of Congo artist Sarah Ndele capture the imagination at first glance. The over-sized, rather comically grotesque masks feature video screens in the eyes and headphones for the viewer to listen in while watching. The masks are made from cheap, plastic chairs that the artist melted down. The videos display performances by the artist.

“Green Hall Annex.” Photo by Sally Quinn.

“Green Hall Annex”

Those familiar with the open space of Carnegie Museum’s Hall of Sculpture will find “Green Hall Annex” especially fascinating. Brazilian artist Cinthia Marcelle built a hall within the hall, complete with pillars and a ceiling decoupaged with international and local newspapers. Visitors can walk around and under the new construction. Kids who appreciate crawling under table forts will likely love wandering beneath this structure.

“qamutik piece.” Photo by Sally Quinn.

“qamutik piece”

Canadian artist assinajaq’s exhibit includes two qamutiks, Inuit sleds, packed for a journey. Kids who like to create with their hands will appreciate the video that shows how to build an Inuit sled of their own. Another video displays the artist’s wintry journey from northern Quebec to Pittsburgh via Montreal, dragging a qamutik the whole way.

“Tewok: the river we weave.” Photo by Sally Quinn

“Tewok: the river we weave”

Walk through the crooked path of glass cases filled with an amazing display of weavings. The hanging pieces were created by an Argentinian collective of more than 100 women called Silat, which translates from the Wichi language to “announcement.” The 100 weavings each represent one of the women members. The idea was inspired by the way trees grow in nature.