Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Judy Chicago to lecture on "The Dinner Party"
Judy Chicago
Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 They will have the opportunity to see the preeminent artist speak about The Dinner Party, the work that inspired their interest, when Chicago presents "The Dinner Party: A Journey into History" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 13, in Carter Hall in the University Center. The event is free and open to the public. In her lecture, Chicago will discuss the creation and ongoing relevance of The Dinner Party, a massive installation piece incorporating ceramics, porcelain, and textiles. The piece addresses the erasure of women's history and achievements by commemorating their names and work: from traditionally undervalued "crafts" such as embroidery and china-painting, to the feats of writers, military leaders, and philosophers. Hundreds of volunteers collaborated on the piece, and it took six years (from 1975 to 1979) to complete. "When I teach The Dinner Party, it is the piece that evokes the most interest," Braysmith said. "It's so overwhelming, inspiring, and intellectually and aesthetically stimulating that students I haven't heard from all semester are moved to raise their hands and comment. The question I get about this art work that I don't get about any other is, 'Where is it and how can I see it?'" She continued, "It is absolutely unlike anything else. The word 'unique' is misused all the time. 'Unique' is absolutely true about this piece, as is 'genius,' another word that is often applied broadly. It is a unique, stunning, absolutely riveting piece. It's unlike anything that has gone before." This is the second time Chicago has visited the USI campus. Her last lecture at USI was in 1999. "When I introduced her in 1999 I had not seen The Dinner Party, but I have seen it a couple of times since, and every time I see it I learn more from it, and I am awestruck by it," Braysmith said. "I am left - and students think this is hilarious - speechless. They've never seen me speechless, but I am in front of that piece." Judy Chicago's lecture is sponsored by the Art Department, University Core Curriculum, Community of Scholars, Art Club, and Society for Arts and Humanities, in collaboration with the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science, and in conjunction with "Setting the Table: Preparing Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party," an exhibition on the creation of The Dinner Party including Chicago's first drawings. The exhibition will be on display at the museum September 12 through November 28. The work itself is on permanent display at the Brooklyn Museum. |
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