Exhibitions

The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

East Building, Level B, Meymandi Exhibition Gallery

WEATHER NOTICE

Due to inclement weather, the Museum will be closed on January 24, 2016. If you had tickets for The Worlds of M.C. Escher for January 22, 23 or 24, please contact the Box Office at (919) 715-5923 when the Museum reopens. Regular Museum Box Office hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am until 5 pm.

 

The Worlds of M. C. Escher has been extended through January 24, 2016. During that time, the Museum will also offer extended hours.

Extended Exhibition Hours, January 18–24:

Monday 10 am–5 pm  [East Building open only; West Building closed]
Tuesday–Thursday 10 am–5 pm
Friday–Saturday 10 am–9 pm
Sunday 10 am–5 pm

Comprising more than 130 woodcuts, lithographs, wood engravings, and mezzotints, as well as numerous drawings, watercolors, wood blocks, and lithographic stones never before exhibited, The Worlds of M. C. Escher surveys the Dutch graphic artist’s entire career, from his earliest print to his final masterpiece. 

The exhibition highlights Escher’s explorations of nature, mathematics, science, and the realm of his imagination. Escher’s best-known prints will be on view, as well as his lesser-known portraits and Italian landscapes, in the most comprehensive Escher exhibition ever presented in the United States.

The works are on loan from leading public Escher collections, including those at the National Gallery of Art and the National Gallery of Canada, as well as several of the foremost private collections.

A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Photography is not permitted in this exhibition.

Organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art. This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

TICKETS

$18 Adults
$15 Seniors (65+), military, groups of 10+, college students with current ID
$12 Youth 7−18
Free: Members (first visit), children 6 and under, college students on Friday nights 5−9 pm (with current ID)

Tickets

Exhibition Café

A special café on Level C in East Building, one floor down from the exhibition, features sandwiches, soups, desserts, sodas, beer, wine, and more.

Exhibition Café Hours

Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–4:30 pm
Friday 10 am–8:30 pm 

Prefer to have a full-service meal? Visit Iris restaurant in West Building.

Exhibition Store

A special exhibition-related shop in East Building features unique gifts, books, art prints, and more.

Exhibition Store Hours

Tuesday–Thursday 10 am–5 pm
Friday 10 am–9 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10 am–5 pm

Also please visit the main Museum Store in West Building.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Looking for parking details, nearby hotels, directions to the NCMA, or other information? Plan your visit. 


M. C. Escher

M. C. Escher. Bond of Union (detail), April 1956, lithograph, 10 x 13 3/8 in., National Gallery of Art, Washington, Cornelius Van S. Roosevelt Collection, 1974.28.62, © 2015 The M. C. Escher Company, The Netherlands. All rights reserved. www.mcescher.com  
 

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Presenting Sponsor

Participating Sponsor

Media Sponsor

  1. Contemporaries Third Friday Tours: The Art of M. C. Escher

    Contemporaries Third Friday Tours: The Art of M. C. Escher

    November 20, 2015 | 6:30 pm

    Happy Hour, 6:30 pm
    Tour, 7:30 pm

    Young professionals are invited to mingle at the wine bar before enjoying a guided tour. Docents choose their favorite works of art, behind-the-scenes locations, or galleries to explore.

    This guided docent tour is free, however an exhibition admission ticket is required to participate. 

    Tour lasts one hour. Meet your docent outside the exhibition entrance.

    Exhibition tickets can be purchased online and through the Museum Box Office.

  2. Public Exhibition Tour: American Impressionist: Childe Hassam and the Isles of Shoals

    Public Exhibition Tour: American Impressionist: Childe Hassam and the Isles of Shoals

    April 30, 2016 | 2 pm

    American Impressionist: Childe Hassam and the Isles of Shoals  (one-hour tour)

    Free tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for individuals and groups of up to eight. First come, first served. Meet your docent at the table on Level B, outside of the exhibition.

  3. Escher’s Impossible Architecture: Games That Bring Imagination to Life

    Escher’s Impossible Architecture: Games That Bring Imagination to Life

    December 2, 2015 | 6:30 pm

    Immerse yourself in an impossible world of gaming and art, starting with a panel discussion with art-inspired all stars in the newly renovated SECU Auditorium. Then take a self-guided tour of the exhibition The Worlds of M. C. Escher, enjoy pizza and beer (for purchase) in the exhibition café, and participate in live gaming with the Roll On Up Gaming truck. 

    Panelists:

    Janelle Bonanno, Moderator, editorial director for gaming at Defy Media

    David Steel, NCMA, curator of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Ty Taylor, Project lead, game designer, and programmer for The Bridge

    Ken Wong, Lead designer and artist on the award-winning USTWO app Monument Valley (via video conference)

    William Chyr, Artist and designer of exploration puzzle game Manifold Garden (via video conference)

     

    Sponsored by The Escapist online magazine and Roll On Up Gaming.

  4. M. C. Escher in Pop Culture: Labyrinth

    Labyrinth

    December 4, 2015 | 8 pm

    (1986) Directed by Jim Henson. David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Frank Oz. (101 min.) PG 

    The M. C. Escher print Relativity is re-created for a climactic scene in the cult-movie classic directed by Muppets creator Jim Henson. Produced by George Lucas with a script by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, the movie stars British glam rocker David Bowie as the Goblin King. A young Jennifer Connelly must brave the Escher-inspired labyrinth to rescue her baby brother.

    Costumes  encouraged!

     “A real masterpiece of puppetry and special effects, an absolutely gorgeous children's fantasy movie” (Chicago Tribune).

    David Steel, curator of The Worlds of M. C. Escher, introduces the movie and discusses the influence of Escher on cinema and popular entertainment.

    Labyrinth attendees receive a $3 discount on admission to The Worlds of M. C. Escher exhibition at a later date. Please present your NCMA-issued Labyrinth ticket stubs at the Museum Box Office.

    Second screening added at 10:30pm.

  5. Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    December 10, 2015 | 12:30 pm

    The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination (one-hour tour)

    Free tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for individuals and groups of up to eight. First come, first served. Meet your docent at the table in the East Building Lobby. 

  6. Dining after Dark: Imagine the Impossible

    Dining after Dark: Imagine the Impossible

    December 11, 2015 | 6:30 pm

    M. C. Escher began his career capturing his love of landscapes, and later in life he created impossible realities. Join David Steel, exhibition curator, for an insightful look inside the art and mind of the artist.

    These events, designed for members age 40 and over, feature a tour and a buffet-style dinner with a glass of wine. Advance registration is required.

  7. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    December 12, 2015 | 1:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  8. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    December 12, 2015 | 2:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  9. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    December 13, 2015 | 1:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  10. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    December 13, 2015 | 2:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  11. Holiday Family Fun Friday

    Holiday Family Fun Friday

    December 18, 2015 | 5:30 pm

    Escher-inspired art making and games, music by Sandbox, free treats for the kids, and a visit from the jolly guy in red are just a few of the delights that await your family. Food for purchase, including pizza, will be available in the M. C. Escher Café. 

    This event is supported by the Mebane Charitable Foundation, Edith S. Shepherd and Paul E. Castelloe, and Great Outdoor Provision Co.

  12. Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    January 2, 2016 | 12:30 pm

    The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination (one-hour tour)

    Free tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for individuals and groups of up to eight. First come, first served. Meet your docent at the table in the East Building Lobby. 

  13. Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    Public Exhibition Tour: The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination

    January 3, 2016 | 12:30 pm

    The Worlds of M. C. Escher: Nature, Science, and Imagination (one-hour tour)

    Free tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for individuals and groups of up to eight. First come, first served. Meet your docent at the table in the East Building Lobby. 

  14. Cocktails, Craft, and Camaraderie: Perler Bead Geometry

    Cocktails, Craft, and Camaraderie: Perler Bead Geometry

    January 8, 2016 | 6:30 pm

    Hang out with friends and get down to some geometric crafting inspired by M. C. Escher’s works. Create a cool three-color illusion piece with Perler beads that you can hang up in your office. One Toasted Marshmallow Russian is included in the ticket price.

  15. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    January 9, 2016 | 1:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  16. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    January 9, 2016 | 2:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  17. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    January 10, 2016 | 1:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  18. Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    Special Family Tour of The Worlds of M. C. Escher

    January 10, 2016 | 2:30 pm

    An interactive tour for children. Free 30-minute tour (with paid exhibition ticket) for families with children ages 6–12. 

  19. “The Science of the Heart as Revealed by Leonardo da Vinci”

    “The Science of the Heart as Revealed by Leonardo da Vinci”

    January 10, 2016 | 2:30 pm

    Robert Dunn, North Carolina State University 

    Leonardo’s discoveries about the heart helped change what we know about science. His genius demonstrated the value of individuals marginal to a particular field (whatever that might be) to a broader search for reality. 

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