One Book One Northwestern (OBON) is a university‐wide reading program that aims to engage the campus in a common conversation centered on a carefully chosen, thought-provoking book. The Block is proud to partner annually with One Book to explore the themes of this shared text, selecting artworks from the museum collection that can broaden discussions. The 2023-24 One Book selection is the 2021 memoir “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner.
In January 2024, Corinne Granof, Academic Curator, led an online discussion of Max Kahn’s 1953 lithograph Noah at the Table.
The memoir “Crying in H Mart” delves into writer Michelle Zauner’s relationship with her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away. Food plays a central role in expressing love and connection between Zauner and her mother. Granof considered a print titled “Noah at the Table” which explores the parent-child relationship through the act of feeding.
“In ‘Crying in H Mart,’ Michelle Zauner beautifully captures the essence of love through cooking and feeding, stating that her mother expressed love ‘not through lies and constant verbal affirmation,’ but through the creation of dishes Michelle loved. Max Kahn’s lithograph, ‘Noah at the Table,’ resonates with this sentiment, focusing on the ordinary act of a child eating as a powerful symbol of the parent-child relationship—a core, life-sustaining connection beautifully depicted in Kahn’s artwork.”
Corinne Granof, Academic Curator, The Block Museum of Art
Max Kahn, a Chicago-based artist born in 1902, is known for his lithographs that depict children in everyday scenes. Granof emphasizes Kahn’s unique treatment of lithography, resembling painting with thick black outlines and vibrant colors. “Noah at the Table,” captures a child eating, highlighting the ordinary yet intimate moments of family life.
The discussion also touches upon the historical context of child-rearing, referencing Dr. Benjamin Spock’s influential book on parenting, published in 1946. Granof suggests a connection between Spock’s ideas and Kahn’s mid-century approach to portraying children as individuals with autonomy and valid perspectives.
Granof’s discussion encourages reflection on the ordinary yet essential moments in parent-child relationships and draws connections to broader societal contexts and historical influences.
