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08/29/2018 08:34 AMFans of wordplay and artistry won’t want to miss opening day of a special exhibit on palindromes by Clinton resident Jim Beloff that will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Madison Art Cinemas at 761 Boston Post Road, Madison.
A palindrome is a word or sentence that reads the same way forward and backward. The name of the exhibit is Same Nice Cinemas—a palindrome itself—and will feature 24 palindromes and illustrations that were specifically chosen by author Jim Beloff from his book of palindromes, One’s Reverses, Reverse. No? Refreshments will be served and copies the book will also be available for sale.
The exhibit will pair 24 of Beloff palindromes with illustrations by Scott Baldwin that correspond to each palindrome. Beloff called Baldwin “a brilliant illustrator” and noted that each drawing is systematical.
“It’s like a visual palindrome,” Beloff said.
The event is free to attend, but signed and framed copies of the work will be available for a purchase of $40. Beloff said he expects the exhibit will stay up in the theater’s lobby for around a month and a half.
Beloff said he began writing palindromes more than 30 years ago as a teenager.
“I think of them as sleep aids. Writing palindromes became a way to get myself to sleep,” Beloff said.
Beloff said he had always been interested in wordplay such as anagrams, crossword puzzles, and writing music. (He’s perhaps best known to some as ukulele artist Jumpin’ Jim Beloff)
In 2017 Beloff was able to whittle down a long list of palindromes he’d written over the years to 44, and publish them in One’s Reverses, Reverse. No?
“This is something I’ve been dreaming of for 30 years,” Beloff said.
Beloff noted that the illustrator, Baldwin, is from Killingworth, and the publisher, GHP Media, is based in West Haven.
“The whole thing is local,” Beloff said.
A proud moment for Beloff came when Will Shortz, the famous editor of the New York Times Crossword Puzzle, reviewed the book and said “Some of the best illustrated palindromes I’ve seen. The palindromes make sense, and the pictures are funny!”
“I sent the book to him and he loved it! That’s as good as it gets,” Beloff said.
Beloff said he’s happy the exhibit is being held in the theater because he and his family have going to there Madison Arts Cinema since they moved to Clinton.
“We’ve gotten to know it and I love having this relationship,” Beloff said.