Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection

[Larry Bevand]

Master Pieces: Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection
December 26, 2008 - May 17, 2009


This exhibition includes more than two dozen sets from the world-renowned collection of Dr. George and Vivian Dean. Ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries, these chess sets represent exquisite examples from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Featuring a wide range of materials and designs, the pieces and boards demonstrate how differently artists throughout history and across the globe have interpreted the game of chess. The artists’ superb craftsmanship and creativity are explored, with sections featuring ivory and porcelain examples, including sets by Sèvres and Meissen. Some sets include tiny insects, sea creatures, and a variety of precious bejeweled objects.

Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Main Line: 313.833.7900
Weekend Hotline: 313.833.7530
TDD: 313.833.1454

Hours
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.—4 p.m.
Fridays 10 a.m.—10 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Admission
$8 per adult
$4 per youth (ages 6—17)
$6 seniors


Several themes are explored in the exhibition, including the ideological oppositions that the game of chess has been used to evoke, such as Good vs. Evil or Communism vs. Capitalism; the fascinating stories of set ownership, such as one commissioned from Fabergé and another once owned by Catherine the Great; and the variety of artistic styles, including abstract and modern. Some of the modern artists featured are Man Ray and Salvador Dalí.

This exhibition has been generously supported by Dr. George and Vivian Dean. Additional support has been provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.

[Paul Bonham]

Re: Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection

Master Pieces: Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection
December 26, 2008 - May 17, 2009


This exhibition includes more than two dozen sets from the world-renowned collection of Dr. George and Vivian Dean. Ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries, these chess sets represent exquisite examples from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Featuring a wide range of materials and designs, the pieces and boards demonstrate how differently artists throughout history and across the globe have interpreted the game of chess. The artists’ superb craftsmanship and creativity are explored, with sections featuring ivory and porcelain examples, including sets by Sèvres and Meissen. Some sets include tiny insects, sea creatures, and a variety of precious bejeweled objects.

Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Main Line: 313.833.7900
Weekend Hotline: 313.833.7530
TDD: 313.833.1454

Hours
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.—4 p.m.
Fridays 10 a.m.—10 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Admission
$8 per adult
$4 per youth (ages 6—17)
$6 seniors


Several themes are explored in the exhibition, including the ideological oppositions that the game of chess has been used to evoke, such as Good vs. Evil or Communism vs. Capitalism; the fascinating stories of set ownership, such as one commissioned from Fabergé and another once owned by Catherine the Great; and the variety of artistic styles, including abstract and modern. Some of the modern artists featured are Man Ray and Salvador Dalí.

This exhibition has been generously supported by Dr. George and Vivian Dean. Additional support has been provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.

Hmmm, I'm only about 2 hours from Detroit, would make an interesting trip some weekend if Bobby G were to come down and bring the old Mississauga chess gang for a night of chess and poker.

Then again, the catch is they probably try and sell everyone a new GM or Chrysler vehicle.

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection

There was a nice chess set collection in Toronto by Genie (sp) Corkish, who used to run the City Chess Club with her husband Ian, who founded the national Canadian Chess Challenge. Unfortunately, she had to sell her collection.

[Larry Bevand]

On Feb 15 - Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection

Dr. George Dean to Discuss His World-Renowned Chess Set Collection at Detroit Institute of Arts



WHAT: “Master Pieces”

Dr. George Dean will present an illustrated personal history of his world-renowned chess set collection, and discuss the strategy used to trace rare and historic sets and document their previous owners. He will discuss the amazing array of materials, such as amber, faience, and blown glass that have been used to create these miniature works of art, as well as imaginative and playful variations on the characters of individual pieces. He will conclude his talk with Q&A, and an informal tour of the Master Pieces: Chess Sets from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection exhibition.



WHO: Dr. George Dean, avid chess set collector



WHEN: Sunday, February 15, 2 p.m.



WHERE: The Detroit Institute of Arts, located at 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit



COST: Free with museum admission.



Hours and admission:

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesdays–Thursdays, 10 a.m. –10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays –Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $4 for youth ages 6-17. DIA members are admitted free. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.



###

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA),located at 5200 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, is one of the premier art museums in the United States and home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth.



Programs are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.