The American Abstract Expressionist Mark Rothko once said: “A painting is not about an experience. It is an experience.” Objectively, color is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye. Subjectively, color is a sensation, a human reaction to a hue arise in part from the optic nerve. Colors are also symbols or codes that artists use to convey emotions, express themselves, and transform viewers intellectually and emotionally. When we examine color through the eyes of the artist, their belief in the power of color comes to the fore. This lecture starts at the beginning, more than 40,000 years ago.
Archives
Art Goes to War: The Tragedies of Franz Marc and August Macke
When World War I broke out in August 1914, many German Expressionist artists initially believed it could be the apocalyptic event that would at last overthrow the self-satisfied materialism of the nation’s monarch and bourgeoisie. Franz Marc and August Macke, two of the leading artists of German Expressionism, were among those who enlisted for active duty or were drafted. This lecture examines their experiences during the war, and the lives of others who survived only to become denounced as “degenerates.”
Pop Art: Blurring Boundaries
Pop Art brought mass consumerist culture into museums and galleries in the early 1960s radically changing the course of art by eliminating the boundary between “high” culture and everyday life. Part of what paved the way was that it was the first major art movement with a sense of humor. This talk, using images of painting and film, surveys the American Pop Art scene and its leading figure Andy Warhol who invented his own Hollywood-style empire including “superstars” and his own celebrity status.
Aspects of Ingenuity and Innovation: A Potter’s Perspective on VMFA’s Ceramic Art Collection
From Greco-Roman pottery to Annabeth Rosen’s clay sculptures, the VMFA’s ceramics collection includes examples of not only great artistic achievement but technological invention as well. Greek red and black figure ware, Koran sanggam inlay decoration, San Ildefonso Pueblo black ware, high fire celadons, and Japanese tea ceremony vessels are but part of an enduring, endearing legacy. Steven Glass, VMFA’s Resident Potter, will discuss these various concerns as well as highlighting contemporary art issues through the lens of the Annabeth Rosen exhibition ” Fables. ”
Basic Drawing in Pencil Workshop
All levels.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this course will help you create clear images.
You will do multiple drawing exercises to improve your skills and awaken your ability to translate what you see onto paper. You will practice using line, mass, form, value, perspective and composition.
Photos will be provided to work from and there will be demonstrations of the concepts.
From Invisibility to Political Activism: the Black Experience in American Art
Historically, and in our own time, African American artists have foregrounded in their work the social, political, and cultural successes of Black Americans and have offered vociferous critiques of violations of their civil rights, and of systemic racism. In their art they questioned racial stereotyping and engaged their audience in thoughtful, but also provocative interrogations of the cultural and socio-political marginalizations of African Americans in American society. This lecture will analyze works by African American artists in the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, among others, as the means of resistance and political activism aiming to dismantle racial prejudice and celebrate multilayered African American identities.
Physical Theatre and Creation of Conscious Dance Theatre
Students practice meaningful storytelling through movement and character development, original spoken text, and exaggerated theatrical physicality. We explore authentic feelings and humor, experimenting with the most effective mediums to illustrate the content. This class is appropriate for both actors and dancers, those drawn to creating original performance, and anyone interested in self-discovery through expression. Longer workshops and residencies become more personal, deepening into the poetics of the soul on a journey from inner reflection to artful expression.
Love Letters to Humanity
This one-woman show weaves dance and theatre to reveal both the humor and struggle on the search for inner peace. Katie’s spirited rawness traverses the realms of movement poetry and wild character play, uniquely holding satire with compassion. In a depiction of the personal and the collective, vignettes expose escapism, uncomfortable emotions, and cultural imbalances, with insights for coming back to wholeness. Love Letters to Humanity is a heightened collective experience as the audience joins in mindful breathing, rhythm making, and cheer. We are reminded that we are not alone in our darkness and inspired to move more fully into the light.
Beautiful Chinese Cuisine Visual Journey
Chinese cuisine is an important part of Chinese culture. When we are homesick, we always say that we are missing the homeland taste of food where we grew up. If we cook, we can make anywhere our home. Also, if we cook, we can have a travel experience through cuisines from different cultures. There is nothing that cannot be solved with a good meal. This class will show students many beautiful pictures and various films about the 8 major Chinese cuisines. We will see the most delicious dishes from the different Chinese provinces. Additionally, we will practice making Chinese dumplings in multiple ways and to cook and eat them if you desire. This is a visual cultural feast and an absolutely mouth-watering visual journey. All supplies are included. For high school level and above.
Traditional Eight Main Chinese Cuisines:
- Chuan (Sichuan)
- Yue (Guangdong)
- Lu (Shandong)
- Huaiyang (Jiangsu)
- Hui (Anhui)
- Min (Fujian)
- Xiang (Hunan)
Self-Expression through Chinese Calligraphy Art
Chinese calligraphy as an art form is life fully experienced through the energy and motion of marks on paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space. The speed, acceleration and deceleration of the writer’s moves and turns give “spirit” to the characters by greatly influencing their final result. It requires the writer to have perfect control over the brush and wrist and to follow the yearnings of his or her heart. Students who don’t know any Chinese verbal language will learn how to appreciate the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and to explore the meaning of the calligraphic marks by themselves. Students will practice the basic techniques so that they can bring out their own “spirit” through this art form.
This workshop, through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice will focus on building a better understanding and appreciation of Chinese calligraphic art. Students are encouraged to develop and practice their personal artistic expression and will be able to bring their calligraphy work back home for a precious memory of self-exploration. The class provides all supplies, and how to set up the traditional accoutrements for calligraphy work. For high school level and above.
Accoutrements for Calligraphy Work
- Brush holder
- Brush
- Ink
- Rice paper
- Paper weight
- Paper pad
- Ink plate
- Brush water
- Seal and seal paste
Street Photography
In this course, photographer Jaclyn Brown will show you how to capture decisive moments that communicate the energy of a particular place. The workshop will start by studying the masters of street photography, and then present various methods for approaching strangers for portraits, creating strong compositions, working with the light you have (as well as other variables), and imaging how to re-see the everyday in a fresh way. We will spend time during the workshop going out on location as a group to photograph. After our shoot, we will look at a selection of your best images and critique them to encourage one another in growth of our photographic skills, and love for street photography. All kinds of digital cameras and skill levels are welcome!
PROGRAM NOTES
- Maximum class size: 15 participants
- Classes will not be held on Mondays during the school year
- Available to High School Juniors and Seniors, college students, and adults