2007 - 2008
October 22 – December 9
Pierre Daura: The Still Life
For Pierre Daura, groupings of fruits, vegetables, flowers on a table top complemented by bowls, vases, and plates presented challenging problems of composition, structural form, and color relationships. Similar arrangements of apples and grapes and oranges were
painted dozens of times, yet each is new and fresh and different from all the others. During the 1960s, Daura produced hundreds of still life works; some are clearly experimental studies, while others are beautifully complete statements. This exhibition is comprised of works recently donated to the Daura Gallery by Martha R. Daura.
October 22 - December 9
Dan Mills: Empire
Empire focuses on global imperialism and cartography. A nationally recognized artist and curator, Dan Mills is director of Samek Art Gallery at Bucknell University. He uses his satirical wit and riveting perception to encourage the viewer to confront the concepts of empire, global imperialism, and America's role in the world today. His use of maps implies a sense of order and planning in representations of a world in which chaos and confusion reign.
Mills' work has been featured in group shows in China, Greece, The Netherlands, and throughout the U. S., including the Chicago Cultural Center, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Everson Museum of Art. His work is in the collections of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the University of Tennessee. Most recently he had a solo exhibit at the Zolla Lieberman Gallery in Chicago. He earned his B.F.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N. Y., and his B.F.A. from Northern Illinois University.
Artist's Gallery Talk: Tuesday, November 6, 7:30 p.m.
October 22 - December 9
African Art from the Collection
This exhibition, entitled Power and Identity, is curated by museum studies intern Olivia Jones, '09, and features sculptures and basketry from Africa. The baskets, recently acquired from the Lauren Rogers Museum, were collected by Lauren Rogers's great-aunt Catherine Marshall Gardiner during her extensive travels throughout the world and includes a wide assortment of designs, materials, and techniques. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with "Lynchburg, Ota Benga, and the Empowerment of the Pygmies: an International Conference," October 25-27.
January 14 - April 13
Pierre Daura: New Acquisitions
Featuring paintings and works on paper recently donated to the Daura Gallery by Martha R. Daura, the artist's daughter.
January 14 - February 29
The Animation Art of the Pink Panther
The Pink Panther was created by Friz Freleng for the opening title sequence of Blake Edwards' 1963 film, The Pink Panther (MGM/United Artists), starring Peter Sellers as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau, out to catch the thief of a legendary diamond called the pink panther. Accompanied by Henry Mancini's mod jazz beat, Freleng's animated Pink Panther sauntered suavely across the silver screen, straight into superstar status. This hip cat of unparalleled sophistication debuted on NBC-TV in 1964, captivating audiences in 140 cartoon shorts. A second series debuted in 1984 and continued for the next decade. This exhibition, featuring forty-four original animation cells with accompanying drawings recently acquired by the Daura Gallery, is a blast from the past, spying on the Pink Panther as an example of popular culture while uncovering his contribution to 20th century animation.
Opening Reception: Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 4-5 p.m.
"Twist the Night Away" 1960's Dance! Friday, February 1, 8 - 11 p.m.
March 10 - April 13
In Lotus Land: The Photographs of Herbert Ponting
Japan's Edo Period began in 1615, when Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, defeated his rivals, establishing firm control over Japan. For more than 250 years, Japan enjoyed peace, stability, and prosperity. Wealthy urban centers arose, dominated by merchants. This newly rich merchant class challenged the aristocracy's control over artistic production, demanding different kinds of art that reflected their own aesthetic values. While the traditional No plays remained popular, people flocked to the new Kabuki theaters. These theaters and a new form of art-the woodblock print (ukiyo-e)-were among the most prominent new art forms. The brilliantly colored ukiyo-e prints in this exhibition center on many aspects of the Kabuki theatre. They depict scenes from the highly stylized dramas, images of popular actors enacting scenes that they made famous, and an introduction to the many stories of tragedy, romance, and revenge that were depicted in the Kabuki plays.
March 10 - April 13
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony encompasses almost the whole spectrum of Japanese culture because it embraces many art forms such as architecture, gardening, flower arrangement, calligraphy, ceramics, textiles, poetry, and cuisine. The nineteen photographs, posters, and print reproductions in this exhibition represent many aspects of the tea ceremony-from the bamboo plant used by artisans to create delicate tea whisks to the singular, striking simplicity inherent in a tearoom's interior design. Loan: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Office of Statewide Partnerships.
Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 12, 4-5 p.m.
April 22 - May 10
2008 Senior Art Thesis Exhibition & Annual Student Art Show
Opening Reception and Announcement of Awards: Tuesday, April 22, 4 - 5 p.m.
Select Sundays
The Daura Gallery is open one Sunday each month during the academic year. Special programs will be held on these Select Sundays at 2 p.m.
November 18: " A Jug of Wine, A Loaf of Bread: The Still Life as Social History of Still Life," Dr. Barbara Johnston, Art Historian, Virginia Commonwealth University
December 9: "The Nativity in Art," Dr. Delane Karalow, Assistant Professor of Art, LC
January 20: Nature Study Handmade Books, A Children's Workshop with Donna Drozda. This workshop begins with I Spy with My Artist's Eye, a warm-up game that helps students see the world of nature through their "artist eyes." Through this exercise, students learn to identify an "artist's alphabet" of the elements and shapes found in nature. Once the students have begun to use their "artist eyes,' they explore the immediate environment and sketch birds, insects, and or animals. These initial drawings are used to create a book.
February 24: The French Perspective. This ensemble concert features William Feasley, playing guitars and the oboe, and Vladimir Lande on the oboe and baroque oboe. This concert includes works by composers including Napoleon Coste, Robert de Vissee, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, Andreas Pfloger, Jean Francaix, and Jacque Ibert.
March 16: "The Impressionist's Understanding of Japan, A Marvelous Misinterpretation," Dr. Rosemary Smith, art historian. One of the most-loved art movements in the West is Impressionism, yet the enormous impact of the art of Japan on the ideas of the Impressionists is seldom discussed. This lecture explains that one of the main reasons that Western painters were so deeply influenced by the art of Japan was because they completely misinterpreted it.
April 13:Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku Spells Tea: A video of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
FRIENDS OF THE DAURA GALLERY
By joining the Friends of the Daura Gallery, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping us achieve our goal of providing great exhibitions and programs for all our constituents - faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the residents of Central Virginia. Contributions of all sizes make a tremendous difference everyday at the Daura Gallery. For more information, contact Laurie Cassidy at 544-8349 or Cassidy.L@lynchburg.edu.
LC classes are always welcome!
Faculty are asked to notify Laura Francis, Daura Gallery graduate assistant, (ext. 8595, FRANCIS_L@students.lynchburg.edu), if you give a gallery assignment or if you plan to bring your class for a gallery visit.
Special Events
Lectures, gallery talks, and exhibition receptions are scheduled regularly. Announcements are included in College calendars and are sent by e-mail. To receive e-mail announcements, please send your request to Cassidy.L@lynchburg.edu .
Daura Gallery Hours
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Select Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m.
Closed for Thanksgiving Break (November 21 - 25), Winter Break (December 17 - Jan 13), and Spring Break (March 1 - 9).