Though the curation process for the exhibition only took place over the past few months, Kleber, Heller and Ilić began working on the book in 2020, narrowing Glaser’s wide-ranging body of work from his partnership with Seymour Chwast at Push Pin Studios. Each of the three authors had personal and professional connections to Glaser. Kleber has overseen, written about and interviewed Glaser about his vast archive of illustrations, artworks and designs since he donated it to the College in 2003. Glaser and Heller were SVA colleagues for decades, and Glaser taught in Heller and co-chair Lita Talarico’s MFA Design program. Ilić, whose studio was on the top floor of Glaser’s building on East 32nd Street, often collaborated with the designer and became a close friend. The book’s editor, Alan Rapp, is an SVA alumnus, having graduated in 2010 from the College’s MFA Design Criticism program.

“Milton Glaser: POP” follows the December 2021 exhibition “SVA❤️Milton: The Legacy of Milton Glaser,” a retrospective homage to Glaser’s legacy and longtime connection to SVA. Glaser served on SVA’s faculty and as acting chairman of the College’s Board up until his passing in June 2020 on his 91st birthday. Born in the Bronx and an alumnus of Cooper Union, Glaser is known for many significant logos, including the famous “I ♥ NY” design.

An opening reception for “Milton Glaser: POP” in partnership with Monacelli Press and Brooklyn Brewery—for which Glaser famously designed the logo—will take place at the gallery on Friday, May 19. Registration for the reception is required and space is limited. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

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Held in conjunction with the book of the same name, ‘POP’ runs May 17 – June 5 at the SVA Gramercy Gallery