Category Archives: The Arts at Penn

October 19, 2012 · 1:50 pm

Indiana Jones Day at the Penn Museum

Author: Alex Fleischman

Ask my why I’m studying anthropology and I’ll give you a 30-second rundown of a unique, liberal arts perspective that will help me after college even if I don’t become an anthropologist.

What I won’t tell you is what (I think) most anthropology majors don’t admit—I like the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. A lot. And even though most of what we anthropology undergrads study isn’t the archaeological adventures we’ll have one day, I’m pretty sure that’s what all of us hope for.

This Saturday from 1 PM to 4 PM, I get to trade in my normal anthropology classes at the Penn Museum for anthropology that’s a little more exciting, if not a little Hollywood-inspired as well.

The museum is honoring National Archaeology Day with an afternoon of celebrating archaeological and anthropological adventure. Indiana Jones Day will feature mummies, a scavenger hunt, and an interactive dig site, among many other fun activities. The event is free with Museum admission. In addition, visitors wearing an Indiana Jones-style fedora receive $2 off the price of admission!

Even more exciting for an anthropology major, National Geographic’s Dr. Fredrik Hiebert will speak about being a real archaeologist and exploring the world.

There’s more information online here.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Alex F., Penn Museum, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

October 16, 2012 · 4:59 pm

My Top Penn List: Looking forward to Homecoming 2012

Author: Casey Ryan, C’95

We only have a few more days to register for Homecoming, and here is a list of the top 10 things I’m looking forward to, whether or not I actually have the time to get to all of them.  (I’ll be at the last three in my list with bells on! And I have a personal plug for my event that I’m organizing too.)

10. Regional Club Member Meet Up: Saturday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Class of 1953 Lounge
E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House
3533 Locust Walk

The Global Alumni Network staff invites alumni club presidents, leaders, members, Second School Committee Chairs, and volunteers to stop in to meet each other before the great festivities during the weekend. At the meet up, we will celebrate the Alumni Club Award of Merit winner, Penn Club of San Antonio, and achievement winner, the Penn Club of San Diego. For questions, please e-mail Casey Ryan, C’95, at cjryan@upenn.edu.

9.  California Impressionism: Masters of Light: Friday 10 AM – 5 PM & Saturday 12 PM – 5 PM

Arthur Ross Gallery
Fisher Fine Arts Library
220 South 34th Street

California Impressionism: Masters of Light presents thirty-five paintings that illuminate the exceptional natural beauty of California and its rugged coastline. While some of these late 19th and early 20th century artists are renowned, other California artists remain unknown east of the Mississippi.

In 1874, when the First Impressionist exhibition was held in Paris, French critics derided it as radical art. By 1886 an exhibition of 300 French Impressionist paintings was held at the Durand-Ruel Gallery in New York. American audiences were enthralled and embraced the artists’ use of light, color and optics. Many American artists subsequently traveled to Paris to study the style and work “en plein air”, taking their easels outside, working directly after nature.

On loan from the Irvine Museum, works by Franz Bischoff, Colin Campbell Cooper, Anna Hills, Granville Redmond, and Guy Rose are included in the exhibition among others. A series of related programs and events is planned.

8. Student Film Shorts, Presented by the Penn Alumni Film Festival: Friday 5 PM – 6 PM

Claudia Cohen Hall, Terrace Room
249 South 36th Street

Whether you believe life imitates art or vice versa, there may be no better insight into the Penn experience of today than through these selected film shorts, each written, directed and produced by current Penn students. Join fellow alumni and students for a screening of five short films, ranging in genre from drama and documentary to animation and experimental. Space is limited; advance registration is encouraged.

7.  Du Bois College House Celebrates 40 Years: Saturday 4 PM – 6 PM

Du Bois College House
3900 Walnut Street

Please join us for a kick-off reception in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of the W.E.B. Du Bois College House. This gathering, co-sponsored with the Black Alumni Society, is the place to be immediately after the game if you lived in, attended events in, or visited friends in Du Bois during your time at Penn. Live music , refreshments, memories, and conversation are all on the agenda.  Award winning poet, spoken word artist, actor, and Penn alumnus Carlos Andres Gomez, C’04 will open the event. Please share photos from your time in Du Bois for an anniversary slideshow by e-mailing them to pcw2@upenn.edu.

6. Classes without Quizzes: Frank Furness and the Evolution of the Modern Library: Saturday 9:30 AM – 11 AM

Reading Room
Anne & Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library
220 South 34th Street

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to spend 90 minutes in the Reading Room of the Frank Furness designed Anne & Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library with three architectural historians and one practicing architect, all closely associated with Furness’s work. The discussion will focus on the ways that Furness’s design for the Fine Arts Library profoundly influenced modern library design. Participants include Dr. James F. O’Gorman, a leading architectural historian and author of The Architecture of Frank Furness; George E. Thomas, Gr’75, noted cultural historian and author of Building America’s First University: An Historical and Architectural Guide to the University of Pennsylvania; Henry Myerberg, C’76, founder of HMA2 architects with a specialty in library design; and William Whitaker, GAr’96, curator of the University of Pennsylvania’s Architectural Archives and the Kroiz Gallery. A continental breakfast will be provided starting at 9:00 AM and an optional tour of the Library will be available following the program. Space is limited; advance registration is encouraged.

This event is co-sponsored by Penn Alumni, PennDesign and Penn Libraries

5. The Philadelphia Film Festival presents FLIGHT, presented in collaboration with the Penn Alumni Film Festival: Saturday 7 PM – 10 PM

Zellerbach Theater
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut Street

Join fellow Penn alumni and the Philadelphia film community for a sneak preview of the film FLIGHT, starring Denzel Washington, John Goodman, and Don Cheadle. Presented on the closing night of the 21st Philadelphia Film Festival, this pre-release screening will be attended by the film’s director, Robert Zemeckis, the Academy Award-winning director of Forrest Gump and Cast Away. For more information about FLIGHT, visit http://www.paramount.com/flight. An additional $15 fee applies to this event. Advance registration is required.

4. The Blutt Band Slam: Saturday 4 PM – 6 PM

College Green
(Please note: in the case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled.)

Following the football game, make your way back to College Green to cheer on Penn student and alumni musicians as they compete for cash prizes in the Blutt Band Slam. Channel your inner rockstar with kid-friendly activities while you enjoy performances by members of the Penn community. This event is made possible by the generosity of Mitchell Blutt, C’78, M’82, WG’87. For more information about the competition, visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/bluttbandslam.

3. 78th Annual Alumni Award of Merit Gala: Friday 6 PM – 10 PM

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut Street

Join fellow alumni, friends and guests for the 78th Annual Alumni Award of Merit Gala, honoring alumni who have demonstrated a deep commitment and undying passion to make Penn a leader in the academic community. Hosted by Penn Alumni President, Lee Spelman Doty, W’76, the event will recognize the outstanding achievements of the chosen alumni honorees, as well as the class and club award recipients. Board of Trustees Chair, David L. Cohen, L’81 and President Amy Gutmann invite all alumni to participate in this splendid occasion.

Alumni Award of Merit
Dale B. Bell, MT’81
Harve D. Hnatiuk, EE’74
Paul K. Kelly, C’62, WG’64
James J. Kim, W’59, G’61, Gr’63

Young Alumni Award
Brett E. Weinheimer, W’00
Melissa Wu, C’98

Creative Spirit Award
Jennifer C. Egan, C’85

Class Award of Merit
Class of 1992

David N. Tyre Award for Excellence in Class Communication
Class of 1967

Club Award of Merit
Penn Alumni Club of San Antonio

Additional Fee: $75 General Admission, $55 Young Alumni (2002-2012)

2. Penn Football: Homecoming Game vs. Brown: Saturday 1 PM

Franklin Field
235 South 33rd Street

Cheer on the Penn Quakers as they challenge the Brown Bears in this Homecoming match-up on Franklin Field! General admission tickets are $15, or free with the purchase of a Blue Quaker Pass. Alumni in the class of 1962 and earlier will receive chairback tickets; all other seats are general admission.

1. QuakerFest:  Saturday 11 AM – 1 PM

College Green

Join fellow alumni to raise a toast to dear old Penn during this pre-game tailgate picnic. Enjoy kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Get Pennergized with performances by the band and other student groups!

Leave a comment

Filed under Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Athletics, Casey R., Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Multicultural Outreach, The Arts at Penn

October 11, 2012 · 2:02 pm

Band Together

Author: Lisa Vaccarelli, C’02, GED’10

One of my favorite things about our signature weekends here on campus – Homecoming, in the fall, and Alumni Weekend, in the spring – is how the entire Penn community comes together to create an incredible breadth of fun, interesting, educational opportunities that highlight Penn’s well known – and not so well known – treasures.  Staff, faculty, students, administrators and  – of course – alumni work collaboratively for months on end to pull these weekends off.  The result, without exception, is a campus brimming with energy and excitement.

This Homecoming, one fantastic example of this is the inaugural Blutt Band Slam.  The event, made possible by the generosity of Mitchell Blutt, C’78, M’82, WG’87, will highlight nine of campuses most talented musical performers as they compete live on College Green for cash prizes.   From rock bands to classical trios to a cappella groups, the performers will include both Penn student and alumni musicians. I hope you will meet us on College Green following the football game to support your favorite group and get in on the fun!

Leave a comment

Filed under Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Lisa V., The Arts at Penn

October 5, 2012 · 12:41 pm

Just a Few Days Left to Register for Homecoming Weekend…

Author:  Amanda D’Amico

The air is crisp, and the leaves are starting to change color. It’s time to pull those sweaters and jackets out of your closet for fall. And while you’re digging in the back of your closet, grab your favorite Penn gear to wear at Penn’s Homecoming Weekend featuring arts & Culture, October 26 to 28, 2012.

After discussing contemporary jazz or modern libraries in our Classes without Quizzes and reconnecting with old friends at Quakerfest, you can head over to Franklin Field to watch Penn take on Brown. The weekend features social events, film screenings, other sporting events, and much more.

And, best of all, you get to add the newest Homecoming Weekend scarf (included in the cost of a Red or Blue Quaker Pass) to what I hope is a growing collection!

Here are just a few other reasons you should return to Penn for the weekend:

  1. Arts & Sciences Quizzo
  2. Beyond the Screen: Social Impact through Film
  3. California Impressionism: Masters of Light
  4. Classes without Quizzes: Arts@Homecoming Launch Party
  5. Penn Park Homecoming 5K Run
  6. PennGALA Homecoming Happy Hour
  7. Performing Arts and Children: Beyond the ‘Mozart Effect’
  8. The Philadelphia Film Festival presents Flight
  9. Rugby Alumni Social
  10. Taste of Penn Spectrum: A Celebration of Diversity

To learn more about the events at this year’s Homecoming and to register, visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/homecoming2012. See you in Philadelphia, Oct. 26 – 28!

Leave a comment

Filed under Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Amanda D., Campus Life, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Philadelphia, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

September 14, 2012 · 3:48 pm

Philadelphiart

Author: Nicole C. Maloy, W’95

One day, during my freshman year, I was sketching one of the beautiful trees in front of my new home, Du Bois College House. Another student saw me, stopped, looked at my sketchbook and said, “You’re an artist? I thought you were in Wharton.” This is a true story.

Me at 17 with my trusty scrunchie, and many of the jean jackets I painted for friends throughout high school. My AP Art teacher would let me work on these in the studio during study halls. Thanks, Mr. Scott!

Rather than take this moment to address our long and unfortunate history of school-based stereotyping, I will focus on my current endeavors to make art as big a part of my life as it once was. I am taking better advantage of my resources here in Philadelphia, starting with a course at Fleisher Art Memorial, which is dedicated to making art education available to anyone who wants it. My membership there comes with free admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which I always love to visit; each time I go, I realize that I need to go more often. Seriously, any museum that houses both French Impressionism and medieval weaponry is alright with me. I have finally visited the Barnes Foundation, and the collection there is just jaw-dropping. I was overwhelmed anew as I entered each room. And how can anyone mention Philadelphia and art without highlighting the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program? No tickets required. Just turn a corner and enjoy what you see.

If you are interested in the visual arts – making it, gazing at it, or both – are you taking advantage of what your city has to offer you? If not, it is never too late to start! Here are a few treats for those living in, or visiting, Philadelphia.

  •  The mission of the Fleisher Art Memorial is to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background, or artistic experience. Extra incentive: tuition-free classes for kids and adults.
  • As one of the largest museums in the United States, the Philadelphia Museum of Art invites visitors from around the world to explore its renowned collections, acclaimed special exhibitions, and enriching programs, both in person and online. Extra incentive: first Sunday of each month: Pay what you wish all day (10 AM-5 PM). Museum visiting info here.
  • Celebrated for its exceptional breadth, depth, and quality, the Barnes Foundation’s art collection includes works by some of the greatest European and American masters of impressionism, post-impressionist, and early modern art, as well as African sculpture, Pennsylvania German decorative arts, Native American textiles, metalwork, and more. Extra incentive: free first Sundays 1-6 PM – registration required. Additional details here.
  • The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.  Since it began, the Mural Arts Program has produced over 3,000 murals which have become a cherished part of the civic landscape and a great source of inspiration to the millions of residents and visitors who encounter them each year. It’s already free to observe, so extra incentive in this case involves learning more about it. Take a tour.

I would be remiss not to include Lisa Marie’s Frankly Penn post on Penn’s own Institute of Contemporary Art, so check it out!

2 Comments

Filed under Alumni Perspective, Campus Life, Nicole M., The Arts, The Arts at Penn

August 28, 2012 · 12:23 pm

Philly Fringe

Author: Alex Fleischman

Throughout its history, the Penn Museum’s Warden Garden has had a surprising variety of residents—from the pond’s fish to the Sphinx, which now lives indoors, before Philly’s weather was deemed a threat, and once, even, a submarine used for underwater archaeology. Next month, “monsters” can be added to the list, when the Museum will host two Philly Fringe programs.

First, and unrelated to any monsters, the Underground Shakespeare Company, a Penn student theater troupe, will perform “Antony & Cleopatra: Infinite Lives,” Thursday through Saturday, September 13-15. Shakespeare’s play is adapted to the modern, turbulent events of contemporary Egypt, with the Museum’s Sphinx as the dramatic backdrop to their performance. I can’t wait to witness the always dramatic and impressive gallery transformed by the talents of Shakespeare and the performers.

On Sunday, September 16, the artist Douglas Repetto will lead a Monsters: A Workshop and Happening. The audience will help him make “foals”—small walking tables made with simple mechanical parts and scrap wood. The “herd” of them will be let loose in the Chinese Rotunda at 4 p.m.; afterward, they will led outdoors and into the Warden Garden. After the event, the foals are “up for adoption” for audience members—this sounds like a pet even a college student could handle, so I’m not going to miss out.

The 16th-annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe takes place from September 7–22, 2012, with theater, music, and arts events all over Philadelphia. In addition to the two events at the Museum, two more will take place on Penn’s campus. On September 20 and 21, the Annenberg Center will host “red, black & GREEN: a blues,” an interactive program created by Marc Bamuthi Joseph of The Living Word Project. On September 22, the Platt Student Performing Arts House will host The Alternative Theatre Festival by iNtuitions Experimental Theatre.

 

More information about the events at the Museum can be found here and more information about Live Arts and Philly Fringe can be found here.

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Alex F., Campus Life, Penn Museum, Philadelphia, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

Tagged as ,

August 17, 2012 · 7:11 pm

The Search for a Superband

Author: Lisa Marie Patzer

Are you a Penn alumnus or student with musical talent waiting for your American Idol moment? Well here it is.

Penn Alumni invites all Penn musicians to enter the first ever Blutt Band Slam! All musical genres are welcome. Simply visit the Blutt Band Slam website for contest details and to enter your group.  Selected acts will perform live on College Green during Homecoming Weekend and compete for over $1500 in cash prizes.

 

Submission Deadline (entry form): September 21st
Performance Date/Time: October 27, 2012, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Not sure your musical talents will hit a high note with our judging panel? No problem – we still need your support. Cheer on all the musical performers by attending Homecoming and see who will be crowned the first Blutt Band Slam champion!  For ongoing information about the event, follow us on twitter with the hashtag #bbandslam.

This event is made possible by the generosity of Mitchell Blutt, C’78, M’82, WG’87.

Leave a comment

Filed under Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Lisa Marie Patzer, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

July 27, 2012 · 11:13 am

The Penn Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art Exchange Prisoners

Author: Alex Fleischman, C’14

His stone face was larger than I’d imagined. His body lay flatter against the ground, and his pose and expression seemed more somber.

That was my first impression of the bowing prisoner as I stood before him today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon arriving at the museum, I sought out this object in “The Dawn of Egyptian Art,” a special exhibition open until August 5, although he doesn’t normally reside in the Met, but instead much closer to home—at the Penn Museum.

In fact, this object, a door socket carved to resemble a captive, was exchanged for another Egyptian prisoner—a statue that is currently on display in the Penn Museum’s Upper Egyptian Gallery.

The Met’s prisoner kneels, arms clearly bound behind him, his face partially damaged in what may have been a ritual act of destruction. The statue dates to Dynasty 6 of the Old Kingdom and was made during the reign of Pepi II (ca. 2246-2152 BCE). The Penn Museum’s door socket is older, dating to the first or second Egyptian dynasties—between 3000 and 2675 BCE.

Nevertheless, both prisoners seem to evoke regret, elicit sympathy, and ultimately, inspire fear for their captors—the aim of the Egyptian pharaohs who ordered their creation.

There’s more information on the Penn Museum’s website here.  You can also find a New York Times review of the exhibition with photo of the door socket here.  Enjoy!

Leave a comment

Filed under Alex F., Campus Life, Fine Art, Penn in the Summer, Penn Museum, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

June 18, 2012 · 4:02 pm

Artistic Monday

Author: Aimee LaBrie

It’s Monday. That means that we may all need a nudge of inspiration and serenity in our lives as we face the work week. I found mine by looking at some images available via the Penn Digital Archives on the Penn Libraries website. Here are my random  top 5  choices for today:

1. Mary Binner Wheeler Image Collection (from website): “The Mary Binney Wheeler collection of photographic slides is one of the largest individual collections of its kind in the United States. Amassed over the course of fourteen trips to India and Sri Lanka, the collection provides us with over 9,000 images of an astounding diversity of people, places, and events from nearly every corner of the Indian Subcontinent.”

Gal Vihara, 12th century A.D., Monumental recumbent Buddha achieving parinirvāna, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.

2. Fine Arts Library Image Collection:(from website): “The Fine Arts Library Image Collection, available to all Penn students, faculty and staff, offers an expanding database of over 180,000 digital images as well as records documenting 271,000 of the 500,000 slides housed in the Fisher Fine Arts Library.”

Photo of artist, Georgia O’Keefe by Halsman, Philippe 1906-1979 (American)

3. Furness Theatrical Image Collection (from website): “The Furness Image Collection comprises more than 2,000 prints and photographs. The majority date from the nineteenth century, but the Collection also holds earlier and later images. These images illustrate and interpret Shakespeare’s plays and also document theatrical performers and performances of works by Shakespeare and other dramatists.”

Westminster Kennel Club’s Seventeenth Annual Dog Show,
Publisher: Courier Lith. Co.

4. University Archives Digital Image Collection (from website): “The University Archives Digital Image Collection offers an expanding database of over 5,700 digital images of items found in the collections of the University Archives and Records Center.

Skimmer Program, Color Illustration
Year: 1955 April 23

5. Also from the Furness Theatrical Image Collection

Theatrical Poster, She Couldn’t Marry Three
Publisher: Siebert and Bro. Co.

Leave a comment

Filed under Aimee L., Library, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

May 22, 2012 · 1:14 pm

Art Thou Happy?

by Lisa Marie Patzer

One of my favorite places to visit at Penn is the Institute of Contemporary Art on 36th and Sansom Street.   On a recent visit, I captured a few images:

Happiness Measured in Gum Balls

Happiness Measured in Gum Balls

Scale of Happiness

Scale of Happiness

Happiness Confessional
Happiness Confessional

The Happy Show is not about the color yellow, but about the concept of happiness.  Stefan Sagmeister, the creator of The Happy Show, references his personal experience as well as psychological studies, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, pop culture, and demographic statistics.

If you find yourself in West Philly, stop by the ICA.  As Sagmeister states, the show won’t necessarily make you happy, but it will give you a chance to interact with the notion of happiness.

1 Comment

Filed under Fine Art, Lisa Marie Patzer, Photos, The Arts, The Arts at Penn, Uncategorized