Apropos of nothing in particular, here’s a clip to improve your mood:

Throw away the Prozac!

Cab Calloway (1907-1994) at his best. A great entertainer, you can read his bio here.

LC

Fastforward – Art in antiquity now gives way to the cutting edge creativity of another family member, Joseph Pentland.

Depending on your internet connection speed and your software you may be able to link to these examples of Joe’s work from his website – be patient after clicking on these images – it may take a few moments for them to load….

These brief flash video clips give only a hint of the impact of Joe’s powerful public art – it is not really possible for a web page to present them to full effect. Realize that these are wall-sized, mechanized and computer synchronized creations meant for large public spaces. His website www.PatternCreation.com (use the password: generator) gives a better sense of his incredible creativity – a combination of artistry, mechanical engineering, and computer wizardry. Again, keep in mind that these images represent large assemblies of moving objects that are choreographed by computer into infinitely variable patterns of shape and color – truly ‘new age’ public space artistry.

Joe describes his work as follows:

“Geometric patterns and sequences have always interested me. While pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering, I started to think a great deal about what distinguishes a pattern or sequence from a random set. It was about this time my interest in patterns turned to fascination and I began to identify an approach to creating and/or generating patterns. Although my work would not be possible without a background in math and engineering, I soon realized this fascination was leading me in a new direction… a form of installation that embodies and facilitates pattern creation and generation….”

And Joe goes on to say…

“I have been working on my artwork for the better part of 4 years now, and on the pieces you see on my website for about 2.5 yrs. Before I build an installation, I first create animations of the piece and the software I use is called Maya. My ideas are mostly from my engineering background. I am afraid that my studio isn’t very glamorous at the moment….”

I don’t know about a ‘glamorous’ studio, but Joe’s work is certainly breathtaking and undoubtedly we’ll be seeing and hearing more about him and his art in the future.

Indications from antiquity (circa 1980) that a military career was unlikely…

The Chamberlain

“Drink with me, play music with me, love with me, wear a crown with me, be mad with me when I am mad and wise when I am wise” (Athenaeus, an antiquarian ca. 170-230 BCE)

Zellie McClelland’s Spotlight Gallery Talk “Serious Drinking: Vases of the Greek Symposium” was presented Sept 3 2008 at the Washington University Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. The presentation provided a illuminating history of the Greek symposium – “a highly choreographed all-male drinking party that often drew to a close with a riotous parade about the shuttered streets of town”.

Zellie’s gallery exhibit, organized in collaboration with Professor Susan Rotroff of the Classics and Art Departments, includes a formal recreation of the ‘andron’ (a ‘for men only’ space designed for entertaining). It features rarely displayed and exquisite period piece vases from the Washington University antiquities collection. The exhibit augments the fall 2008 course “Ancient Athens” which looks at both the archeological and literary records from the 4th century BCE.

Here are a few photos from the opening of the exhibit.

The Mildred Lane Kemper at Wasington University

The Exhibit Poster

Exhibit Opening – Zel’s Presentation

The Nolan Amphora (475-465 BCE) on display

Zellie is a PhD candidate in the Department of Classics and the Department of Art History and Archeology. Her exhibit “Serious Drinking” will remain on view in the Teaching Gallery of the Kemper until January 5, 2009. This link to the Spotlight Gallery Talk series is worth browsing. If you are in the Washington University vicinity you will enjoy seeing this fine new gallery and Zel’s exhibit.

An Aside

“Greek Life” on American University campuses began with Phi Beta Kappa, founded December 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Formed as a literary fraternity for faculty and students, Phi Beta Kappa “grew into the most prominent and respected honorary society in academe” (Wikipedia). Subsequently, Greek-letter student societies (beginning with Kappa Alpha, Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi, the “Union Triad” formed in the 1820′s at Union college in Schenectady, New York) were primarily social societies whose members were exclusively students rather than faculty.

One might wonder why these organizations adopted Greek mottos and letters as emblems. Though not by intent, Zellie’s exhibit provides a possible explanation, spotlighting the similarities between the Athenian ‘symposia’ and the American college fraternities. Indeed the subject matter of the Nolan Amphora itself may suggest a ‘hazing’ of a youth preliminary to his acceptance into the “men’s club”.

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi

The Symposiarc