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October Issue 2003
Turchin Center to Exhibit Works by Man Ray, Picasso and Other Legendary 20th Century Artists
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, in
Boone, NC, which celebrated its grand opening in May, will present
its second exhibition, The Omnipotent Dream: Man Ray, Confluences
and Influences, on view from Oct. 3 to Dec. 13, 2003.
This rare and fascinating collection, to be exhibited in the center's
magnificent Martin and Doris Rosen Galleries, focuses on the works
of American artist Man Ray as well as the works of prominent Dadaists
and Surrealists, many of whom are legendary names in the art world.
A symposium for The Omnipotent Dream: Man Ray, Confluences and Influences is scheduled for Oct. 3 at 5:15pm. The symposium will provide an overview of the Dadaist and Surrealist Movements, and a context for the featured artwork in the exhibition. The symposium is free and open to the public.
The Oct. 3 symposium will provide an important
context for the featured exhibition. The symposium consists of
a fascinating panel discussion featuring art collector Arthur
Brandt and ASU faculty members Rob Falvo (School of Music) and
Jim Toub (Department of Art). Participants will discuss Dadaism,
Surrealism and other major movements of the early 20th century
from a multidisciplinary perspective, encompassing the visual
arts as well as such disciplines as music and film.
Due to limited availability of parking near the Turchin Center,
a shuttle bus from the nearby Broyhill Inn will provide continuous
transportation, prior to the symposium.
The majority of pieces in the exhibition, on loan from generous patrons and private art collectors Arthur Brandt, David Ilya Brandt, and Daria Brandt, consist of works that have rarely before been viewed in such totality. Through their devotion to art history, conservation, and collection of important 20th century works, these patrons have created one of the most remarkable private holdings of art. To ensure that these works are brought to the attention of the public, the collectors work with museums and institutions all over the world.
The exhibition focuses on the work of Avant Garde painter, photographer, sculptor, illustrator, filmmaker, inventor, and philosopher Man Ray, while placing his important body of work within the context of major movements of the early 20th century.
Other artists represented in the exhibition include: Man Ray, Phillippe Jean, Hannah Höch, Rene Magritte, Joan Miro, Hans Bellmer, Yves Tanguy, Kurt Seligman, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Herbin, Salvador Dali, Tsuguharu Leonard Foujita, Marcel Duchamp, Georges Hugnet, Wassily Kandinsky, Victor Brauner, Lenor Fini, Jean Arp, George Grosz, Pierre Roy, Lucien Mathelin, Valentine Hugo, Suzanne Duchamp, Marcel Jean, Victor Brauner, Paul Delveaux, Christian Pchad, Adolf Hoffmeister, Pavel Tchelitchew, Henri and No Seigle, Hans Richter, Andre Masson, Joseph Cornell, Lajos Kassak, George Spiro, Max Ernst, Cas Oorthuys, Kay Sage, A Gorki, Rudolf Bauer, Louis Schanker, Max Bucaille, Dorothea Tanning, Theo Ortmann, Zero Mostel, Vladimir Baranoff-Rossing, Elie Nadelmanm, Le Corbousier, and Jean Lurcat. The disciplines of painting, sculpture, design, film - and even Dadaist music - will all be represented through the exhibition program.
Hank Foreman, Turchin Center director and chief curator, notes that The Omnipotent Dream: Man Ray, Confluences and Influences holds relevance for early 21st century art because the work of Dadaist and Surrealist artists continues to have great impact on contemporary art. "The turbulent period of diversity and experimentation represented in this exhibition laid the groundwork for everything to come in the world of modern art - from Abstract Expressionism to the present," observes Foreman. "Today's art world is reminiscent of early 20th century endeavors. Like nearly 100 years ago, the contemporary art world values diversity, experimentation and interdisciplinary investigations. In this way, the exhibition speaks to us from a historical as well as a contemporary standpoint."
In describing the movements of Dadaism and Surrealism, art faculty member Jim Toub writes: "Beginning in 1916 at the Café Voltaire in Zurich, Switzerland, the Dada movement quickly became an international phenomenon. What unified the various Dada groups in Zurich, Cologne, Berlin, Paris and New York was not a style but an anarchic, anti-art sensibility set on destroying any and all traditional notions of art. Dada sought to liberate people from the oppressive, sterile and hopelessly regressive bourgeois culture of Western Europe; a culture they believed was responsible for the horrors of World War I. 'Repelled by the slaughterhouses of the world war, we turned to art,' proclaimed Jean Arp, one of the original founders of the Café Voltaire. 'We searched for an elementary art that would, we thought, save mankind from the furious madness of these times'"
"It took the self-anointed leader of Surrealism, Andre Breton, to organize the disparate, often chaotic Dada activities into a more systematic program," writes Toub of the Surrealists. "Through a series of publications beginning with the First Surrealist Manifesto of 1924, Breton linked the Dada preoccupation with the laws of chance to the life of the unconscious as defined by Sigmund Freud. He believed that the seemingly absurd and irrational world of dreams constituted a reality more real than waking consciousness. The Surrealist held the romantic and often naïve notion that those living outside the conventions of bourgeois culture were more in touch with the marvelous world of dreams than those who had, for instance, the unfortunate experience of a university education. They believed that the visual language of the dream was already fully developed in the art of children; the non-western traditions of Oceana and Africa; the art of the insane; and so-called outsider art. The Surrealists and other avant-garde artists elevated these then marginal art forms to a status of great importance and thus helped to expand the possibilities of what could be considered serious art."
"By expanding the boundaries of what can be art- and depending on the context, anything is now considered to be art- Dada and Surrealism created unprecedented artistic freedom for the generations of artists that have followed them."
In connection with the exhibition, a series of other events is also scheduled, including:
Fri., Oct. 3, 2003, 5:15pm at the Turchin Center - Symposium for The Omnipotent Dream: Man Ray, Confluences and Influences - Join Arthur Brandt M.D., art collector; Rob Falvo, ASU's School of Music; and Jim Toub, ASU's Department of Art for a panel discussion of Dadaism, Surrealism, and other major movements of the early 20th century. The experimentation and diversity of that period are extremely relevant to today's pluralistic art world. Participation by the audience is encouraged.
Fri., Oct. 3, 2003, 7pm, at the Turchin Center - Opening Reception for The Omnipotent Dream: Man Ray, Confluences and Influences - Join special guests and program participants for a first look at this amazing collection of work focusing on American artist Man Ray. Additional works from major artists of the early 20th century help put Man Ray's work within the context of this period of artistic upheaval that opened the way for much of the work being created today.
Sat., Oct. 11, 2003, 10am, at the Turchin Center - Second Saturday Series Presents: Shape Shifters - Painting workshop for children aged 8-11 years old, based on exhibited works by artists Wassily Kandinsky and Joan Miro. Fee - $10 for members and $15 for non-members; to register, call 828/262-3017.
Wed., Oct. 15, 2003, 12 noon, at the Turchin Center, Lunch and Learn - Bring a bag lunch and join art faculty member and exhibition essayist Jim Toub for a look at the movements of Dadaism and Surrealism, exploring the impact that this turbulent period still has on the creation of art today. Water is provided.
Sat., Nov. 8, 2003, 10am, at the Turchin Center, Second Saturday Series, "Be There or Be Square" - Pablo Picasso and Cubism Sculpture workshop for children aged 8-11 years old, based on exhibited work by this artist. Fee - $10 for members and $15 for non-members; to register, call 828/262-3017.
Mon., Nov. 10, 2003, 7pm, at the Greenbriar Theatre, Plemmons Student Union - Film - The first in a four night Hispanic Surrealism film series with an introduction by Foreign Languages and Literature faculty member Benito del Pliejo. Un Chien Andalou Luis Buñuel, Salvador Dali and L'age d' or Luis Buñel.
Mon., Nov. 17, 2003, 7pm, at the Greenbriar Theatre, Plemmons Student Union - Film - The second in a four night Hispanic Surrealism film series with an introduction by Foreign Languages and Literature faculty member Benito del Pliejo. The Exterminating Angel Luis Buñuel.
Wed., Nov. 19, 2003, 12 noon at the Turchin Center, Lunch and Learn - Mona Lisa - her enigmatic smile makes this work one of the most recognizable images in the worldand one of the most lampooned. Join art faculty member Gayle Weitz and Turchin Center director/chief curator Hank Foreman for a look at Duchamp's ready made, a review of its irreverent creation, and some fun activities you won't want to miss.
Mon., Nov. 24, 2003, 7pm, at the Greenbriar Theatre, Plemmons Student Union - Film - The third in a four night Hispanic Surrealism film series with an introduction by Foreign Languages and Literature faculty member Benito del Pliejo. Nazarin Luis Buñuel.
Mon., Dec. 1, 2003, 7pm, at the Greenbriar Theatre, Plemmons Student Union - Film -The last in a four night Hispanic Surrealism film series with an introduction by Foreign Languages and Literature faculty member Benito del Pliejo. Viridiana Luis Buñuel.
Sat., Dec. 13, 2003, 10am, at the Turchin Center, Second Saturday Series, "Something from Nothing" - Man Ray - Printmaking and Photograpy workshop for children aged 8-11 years old based on exhibited work by this artist. Fee - $15 for non-members $10 for members; to register, call 828/262-3017.
Special Note: In association with this exhibition program, a variety of activities are also scheduled in partnership with community groups and service organizations. For details, please call 828/262-3017.
This project received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings, contact the Center at 828/262-3017, e-mail at
(foremanht@appstate.edu) and at (www.turchincenter.org).
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