Month: October 2018

Fall Photos: Opening Reception: Kahlil Robert Irving Exhibition

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On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Saint Louis-based multimedia artist Kahlil Robert Irving exhibited a recent body of work in his first solo exhibition in New England, including several pieces commissioned by the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan. Working across a variety of material production methods, Irving examines the evolving relationship between symbols and power by bringing attention to the oppressive legacies of colonialism present in contemporary culture. His practice purposely challenges constructs around decorative arts, monuments, and the history of how race has been reinforced in America.
Associate Professor of Science in Society, African American Studies, and Sociology Anthony Hatch, who has written an essay for the exhibition, engaged Kahlil Robert Irving in a gallery talk about his work at 5pm during the opening reception.

Photos by Sandy Aldieri. Click here to view the full album on Flickr.

Fall Photos: Raphael Xavier: Point of Interest

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On Friday, September 21, 2018 crackling with high-energy physicality, Point of Interest (2016) featured a series of solos, duets, and quintets set to Raphael Xavier’s soundscape of beats, spoken word poetry, and musical rhythms. Philadelphia-based Raphael Xavier is a self-taught hip hop dancer and breaking artist originally from Wilmington, Delaware. A photographer, musician, and former company member with Rennie Harris Puremovement, he is an innovative movement conceptualist who has helped expand the boundaries of dance since 1983.
Following the 50 minute performance there was a 30 minute talkback with the artist moderated by Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance Joya Powell.
There was a free masterclass with Raphael Xavier on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11am in the Bessie Schönberg Dance Studio, located at 247 Pine Street. Open to all, no reservations were required.

Photos by Richard Marinelli. Click here to view the full album on Flickr.

 

Fall Photos: Opening Reception: Chado — The Way of Tea

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On Wednesday, September 12, 2018 the exhibition Chado: The Way of Tea explored the prominent role and significance of the tea ceremony as an art and spiritual practice in China and Japan. Objects displayed were selected from the College of East Asian Studies collection and loaned by tea enthusiasts in the Wesleyan community. Several media were represented, including ceramics, lacquer ware, bamboo, wood, iron, textiles, and calligraphy. In addition, photographs from National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita ’71 were featured.
Photos by Sandy Aldieri. Click here to view the full album on Flickr.

Fall Photos: The MASH

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On Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Saturday, September 8, 2018 inspired by Fête de la Musique (also known as Make Music Day), the seventh annual The MASH festival highlighted Wesleyan’s student music scene, with multiple stages on campus featuring everything from a cappella ensembles to student and faculty bands.

Photos by Richard Marinelli. Click here to view the full album on Flickr.

Fall Photos: Common Moment: ON DISPLAY

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On Friday, August 31, 2018 first year students in the Class of 2022 partnered with choreographer Heidi Latsky to create her installation ON DISPLAY on Andrus Field. Followed by a fire dancing performance by the student group Prometheus.
A deconstructed art exhibition/fashion show, ON DISPLAY is a commentary on the body as spectacle and on society’s obsession with body image. At its most concrete, ON DISPLAY is a human sculpture gallery bound by simple performance rules. More deeply, ON DISPLAY dares us to explore the idea of the gaze through a meditative, playful, embodied inquiry. In the installation, we are challenged to be in our simplest state, to commit to the exercise without judgement, to trust both our individuality and the group, and to experience profoundly the act of seeing and being seen.

Photos by Sandy Aldieri. Click here to view the full album on Flickr.