American Utopia

by David Byrne, Maira Kalman

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. Don't miss the Spike Lee film of the Broadway hit American Utopia--on HBO.A Beat Most Anticipated Graphic Novel of Fall 2020A 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 and is now a film from Spike Lee on HBO. 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.

Genres: Art, Music, Graphic Novels, Poetry, Nonfiction, Comics, Design

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2020

About the author

A cofounder of the musical group Talking Heads, David Byrne has also released several solo albums in addition to collaborating with such noted artists as Twyla Tharp, Robert Wilson, and Brian Eno. His art includes photography and installation works and has been published in five books. He lives in New York and he recently added some new bike racks of his own design around town, thanks to the Department of Transportation.

Photo © Catalina Kulczar-Marin

Reviews

[ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

i worship at the altar of david byrne

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are you going to make me tell you my thoughts about this book? I love Maira Kalman. I really do. And I like quirky. This book has Maira Kalman as illustrator and it’s definitely quirky. But it’s bad quirky. Like phoned in. No plot. No story. I’m honestly not even sure what it’s about, if it is even about anything.

I’m terribly, horribly sad to say that I did not like this book.

But I still love you, Maira Kalman.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The granularity of life is examined in a way that is Zenful and perceptive; the art is Chagallian in form and flow - great book to read as a couple after a hike when stopping for a picnic. Books like this make you stop and consider where you are going. That is a perspective that we all can use every once in awhile.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by the musical of the same name, the words and childish graphics recognize that we are beings in progress and we can change if we so desire and connect with the world. I learned the names of same unusual U.S. towns - Goofy Ridge, Illinois; Cream Can Junction, Idaho; Two Egg, Florida; and Lizard Lick, North Carolina. I have not seen either the movie or the musical and doubt I will based on the book. Not my vibe and I like David Byrne.

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes I did read a picture book to try to hit my yearly goal!

[Renata · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sort of weird little coffee table type book I guess? I loved the film, and I like Maira Kolman's art but this just felt really...insubstantial. It felt like several greeting cards stapled together. And I'd probably buy the greeting cards but it didn't really feel like a book, per se.

[Travis Duke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw the show and was surprised when this book came into work....It is a very fast fast read, maybe 2-5 minutes no joke. This would be a very hard sell without David's name on it.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have wasted my money.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a companion to the Broadway show and movie of the same name, and will likely be more enjoyable if you've seen one or both of those. I've seen one of the songs performed, so I have just enough of an idea to see where this book is going, which can honestly be difficult to figure out. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book, though I can see not everyone will. It's a series of line illustrations by Kalman, which are pleasant and fun, colorful and fluid, and bits and pieces of text and bites of lyrics by Byrne, with a positive vibe flowing through the pages. I can't decide if this is deep and profound, or meaningless fluff, and there's a good chance it's both, whichever you might need at the time you read it. Definitely buy this if you're a fan of either Byrne, Kalman, or both of them; you'll dig this. Otherwise, flip through this first- it's not going to be a fit for everyone, but it will vibe with some people.

#AmericanUtopia #NetGalley

[Ann Howley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut punch:

raise your eyes to the one who loves you
it is safe right where you are

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seeks to be inspirational, but fails dramatically in that respect with its nonsensically strung together words and drawings. They do not make sense.

The book utterly fails in its attempt to convey a story or a message, although its intent appears to be to provide the reader with one of hope.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually it's the other way around: a successful book becomes a Broadway show. Here, however, the book comes after the show - a sort of souvenir program of a wonderful David Byrne concert that had a drop curtain by Maira Kalman. A huge canvas, covered in small sketches, with funny place names, it was endlessly fun to look at. Someone should make wallpaper from it, but until then we can look to our hearts content at this lovely, uplifting, humorous book. Byrne and Kalman did a marvelous children's book together way back in 1986, Stay Up Late. Get your hands on a copy, it's magic, and the pair make wonderful bookends (pun intended) for Byrne and Kalman's zany and impressive careers.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Despite all that has happened, despite all that is still happening, I think there is still possibility, we are still a work in progress." Going to take this book's arrival today as a good sign. David Byrne is the most inspirational person I know of, if only because of his neverending hope for the world and America. This book is just a physical version of the Broadway show (and now movie) of the same name and yet I am crying after having read it. It is profound and simple all at once. Saying everything while saying very little. Beautiful, precise, concise, vast.

[Kerfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another disappointment. The drawings are fluid and there's nothing wrong with them, but they are far from Kalman's best. And I kept waiting for the text to find it's rhythm, but it never did. There was nothing musical or magical in the way the book is assembled.

The show is supposed to be excellent; perhaps it's just not the sort of thing that can be translated into a book.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This has the same vibes and energy as The Talking Heads, and makes me really want to go see the show. It was good for reading during the pandemic - life always changes, but that’s what’s so special about it and we can find joy all around us.

Recommended, but I would only purchase if you’re a big fan.

[Sandy Plants]

Not sure if this really translated well into book form... I love the idea of it, I just think a short animation may have been more affective?

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I would have chosen this book had I not seen the live performance on stage and also on HBO. As it was, I loved the energy behind Byrne's production and his music, his dancers and his message. At the theater, there was tremendous reaction -- everyone standing and I was not the only one crying by the end. The book doesn't quite convey the same power, and is a bit too fey for my taste. I'll just go watch Spike Lee's film instead. Still, it's good to have this copy signed by Byrne.

[jay k. ❤︎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

i’m just gonna watch the spike lee movie bc this was such a pointless nothingburger. the level of depth you’d expect from a MoMA stick figure “art piece”

[Maggie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s not to love!

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Talking Heads frontman and visionary artist David Byrne weaves together experimental magic with bestselling author, illustrator, and artist Maira Kalman in the unique and inspired "American Utopia," a celebratory collaboration of words and art slated for a September 8, 2020 release from Bloomsbury Publishing.

"American Utopia" embraces the truth of human connection in a richly human way drawing its text from Byrne's hit Broadway show of the same name that is currently scheduled to return to Broadway on September 18th with a Spike Lee documentary also in the works. Kalman's four-color artwork was originally created for the Broadway show's curtain, but here is present in the form of over 150 of Kalman's works.

I'm sitting here in my home on an early June Saturday evening. The eighth day of downtown protests is going on a few miles from my home and at times one can't help but wonder if we'll ever truly get along with one another and build a system that is fair, equitable, safe, and embracing of all.

In a sense, "American Utopia" answers that challenging question with a resounding "Yes!" Kalman's imagery captures a portrait of daily life and the human experience that is both intimate and universal. Byrne's language, simple yet precise, is hope-filled in an honest and meaningful way. "American Utopia" is a call toward connection, a call toward kindness, a call toward the community of our greatest imaginations. It's a reminder that we can create the world that we wish to live in and we simply must do so whether that be as artists or musicians or writers or dancers or however it is to manifest in our lives.

We can do it. And we must.

"American Utopia" is a relatively quick read, though it's a book that will be revisited again and again for those who embrace it. It's a dose of optimism in a cynical world, a beautifully designed immersive experience that will linger in your heart and mind long the book has left your hands.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an example -- a fine example, no less -- of two semi-disparate things coming together to create a new, fresh third thing. Byrne's words, sparse and poetic, sort of dance with Kalman's linework and color (what looks like gouache, maybe? Some kind of semi-opaque, seriously bright pigment, for sure.), and what comes out of it is a story that's not a story; an art-book that's not just art.

If you're looking for a drawn-out read, you won't find it here. Similarly, if you're looking for just an illustrated story, you also won't find it here.

What you *will* find is an experience. You can read it all in a few minutes, but I'd encourage you not to. Take some time with its pages. Find the connections, and the stories told abstractly.

You can lose yourself in it.

[Dexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

extremely abstract, like 50 words in a 60 page book, very representational illustrations. loses a star for no Maine mention.

- -

“We dance like this
Because it feels so damned good
If we could dance better—
Well, you know that we would
Im working on my dancing
This is the best I can do
I'm tentatively shaking
You don't have to look”

“the poet Hugo Ball said the Dadaists' aims were
‘to remind the world that there are people of independent minds - beyond war and nationalism - who live for different ideals.’”

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely biased as Maria Kalman is my favorite author/illustrator. Having said that, she might be yours too. You most likely have seen her work without even knowing. If you see the umbrella (yes, I own it, if the clouds underneath. She inspires me and brings me happiness in the dreariness of rain). With her love of typography and dogs, she is a poet. Then we add David Byrne! The lyrics and ideals of David Byrne, coupled with the Kalman’s illustrations to pull at your heart strings. Art will do that to you. Books too.

[Misse Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm...this left a lot to be desired.

I have not watched the Broadway/Film production and in that respect, contextually it did not do it for me.

The writings and illustrations were choppy at best.

I don’t believe this was the appropriate platform for what it appears the author was hoping to achieve/offer.

1.5 stars rounded up.

[Abigail Thomsen]

So strange. I love it. Much tattoo inspiration

[cheer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll be real with you: this is hardly a book. I spent much time debating whether I should even review it (and I pinky promise I'm not just reviewing it to add +1 to my reading challenge).

To say that I'm currently in the middle of a hyperfixation on David Byrne's body of work would be an understatement. I'm not going to pretend I'm a longtime fan. I started listening to Talking Heads last year, but over the past week I have *really* started listening to them. I saw Stop Making Sense for the first time on October 2. I have seen it two more times since then, and I'm seeing it again tomorrow. I watched True Stories last night and I just finished watching David Byrne's American Utopia about 5 minutes before I "read" this "book".

I've owned this book for a while now; I think I found it at a used bookstore for some absurdly low price at some point, and now I know why.

I guess it's best described as a "companion piece" to the concert film. It's a bunch of drawings with occasional lyric excerpts from American Utopia. It feels like something that's only worth owning if you have a coffee table in need of kitsch.

The art is nice and all, but I would have been disappointed had I paid more than two dollars for this.

[Amy :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this approach of a coffee table book and love David Byrne so so much. Charming illustrations by Maria Kalman - capturing the charm and whimsy of Byrnes writing. Short, simple passages selected to serve as a companion piece to American utopia.

Low word count but a beautiful piece of art, so I will rate it as such :)

[Sandy 🥀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like it was trying to be woke and groundbreaking, and it could’ve succeeded if there was more clarity. It was a little too abstract, so the message was half-baked. The illustrations were cool, and it was a creative concept, but it could’ve had a better execution.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really, uh... "get" it.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by David Byrne and illustrated by Maira Kalman.
Whimsical and fun, and sparse. Read/enjoyed in one sitting.
Lyrics from the 'Talking Heads' :
...going nowhere...cities cited throughout, like:
Truth or Consequences, N.M
Cream Can Junction, I.D.
Lizard Lick, N.C.
Quotes and references mainly.
"Make a closer inspection."
"We dance like this because it feels so damned good"
"Who we are thankfully extends beyond ourselves. . .to the connections between us all."