After a hectic Fall semester, winter break has afforded art groups around campus some time to contemplate the events of Sept. 11. This generated a number of responses last year. But with the passage of time and the luxury of deliberation, art groups will again offer the community a way to deal with the tragedy. Above all, though, the fine arts community of the University of Massachusetts will begin the Spring semester with a renewed sense of hope through the arts, despite being hit by budget cuts.
The Culture of Violence – The University Gallery will present The Culture of Violence, beginning tomorrow and lasting through the semester. Over 20 artists (including Andy Warhol), working in diverse mediums, will be represented in their attempt to come to terms with, represent, or chronicle violence.
The exhibit was not intended as a direct response to Sept. 11, but, like everything else, it has been colored by the tragedy. The umbrella term violence does cover terrorism. But it also includes a wide range of topics, including hate crimes, domestic violence and youth violence, to name a few.
Violence, whether it comes in the form of fiction or reality, is a ubiquitous and pervasive part of our lives. We see it everyday on TV and in the news. But, this exhibit is different.
“There was no intent to glamorize or exploit violence,” said Regina Coppola, the curator for the University Gallery. “It’s very muted.” She explained that almost all of the pieces explore the time and events before or after the violence occurs.
Violence was proposed two years ago by independent guest curators Donna Harkavy and Helaine Posner, who were looking for space to show their organization of these works. Coppola said that the gallery staff was eager to house the traveling exhibit, thinking about ways in which the academic community could make use of it to engender discussion about violence.
“It’s a hard subject to talk about,” she said. “But it should be talked about.”
In order to further this aim, a film series titled At Human Cost will be presented throughout the semester in conjunction with the exhibit. The series has been put together recently by Coppola, and so, it has proven more mutable than the corresponding art show. She has been able to alter the lineup in response to Sept. 11. The resulting films deal with violence on a personal level, through the lives and close relationships of individuals.
The series, which runs from Feb. to April, includes both feature and documentary films. The schedule includes the Academy Award-winning movie The Crying Game, the documentary The Brandon Teena Story and the acclaimed feature Amores Perros (translated as Love’s a Bitch). All films will be screened at the Amherst College campus center, and are free and open to the public. For the entire movie listings, including times, dates and descriptions, go to the University Gallery’s website (http://www.umass.edu/fac/universitygallery).
The Culture of Violence will open with a reception tomorrow from 1 to 7 p.m., and will remain up through the Spring semester in the University Gallery at the Fine Arts Center.
A Celebration of Arts on Campus – As the arts struggle to come to terms with the theme of violence, the UMass Arts Council is struggling to put the word out about their program. With all the to do about the budget cuts the Art Council wants the campus to know that arts funding is available.
A Celebration of Arts on Campus will be held in the Student Union Ballroom on Feb. 5 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. as a way for the existing student art groups to display their talents. The groups will include Alive with Dance, the UMass Theatre Guild, Vocal Suspects, Short Cuts and Student Valley Productions, who have all received Council funding. Performances include a dance piece, a cappella performance, a theater selection, and fiction readings.
More than a showcase, this is an informational event. Students involved in the performing groups will be on hand to answer questions about getting a grant. The Council offers bigger, block grants and smaller grants to qualifying arts groups.
“Some people don’t even know that the Arts Council exists,” said Sally O’Shea, the program assistant. She hopes that this event will inform individuals and groups who need arts funding about the process of applying for a grant.
These are just two of the many upcoming events. The rest of the Spring semester is packed with potential for exciting and interesting Fine Arts events. For more information on these, watch for our calendar, The Source, every Thursday.
