Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Stephen Yogi Rueff - Season 11, Episode 130

Stephen Yogi Rueff grew up in Minneapolis collecting comic books
in the 1960s and loves his role as co-founder of
SuperMonster市City!, where he is a curator and managing director.


SuperMonster市City! places American monsters, superheroes, and
villains as represented in toys, games, posters, and more, into
social and political contexts. Through informative texts, artist
profiles, and commentary, these fun and engaging exhibitions
feature America’s iconic mythical figures from America’s Golden
Age of toys.


SuperMonster市City! was co-founded by master collector David
Barnhill and curator Rueff. The traveling exhibits are derived
from Barnhill’s collection of 200,000 toys, posters, games, and
films. Rueff, as Managing Director and Curator, places the
objects in social and political contexts through reflective and
informative texts, artist profiles, and commentary. Barnhill and
Rueff enjoy sharing America’s iconic mythical figures from
America’s Golden Age of toys.


Rueff has worked in the arts as a performer, designer, manager,
and producer, touring around the globe with performing artists
such as MacArthur Genius Award Recipients Meredith Monk and Bill
T. Jones, as well as Blue Man Group, Karen Finley, and many, many
other artists and creatives. As an Account Manager and Executive
Producer for global corporate communications companies Jack
Morton Worldwide and BI Worldwide, he produced events throughout
the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Austria,
Czech Republic, and Bahrain.


Rueff now enjoys coaching business start-ups and is Chair of the
Arts Entrepreneurship department at the Minneapolis College of
Art and Design. His academic research explores American culture
and the role of fear in play, and through toys, monsters,
superheroes, and villains.


Rueff earned his MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and
Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School. Rueff’s BA
from Empire State University, the same college attended by Peter
Parker, aka Spider-Man! ‘Nuff said.