Kaleidoscope lectures offer varied views

Stare at a painting long enough, and the number of questions that arise in your head about what you are viewing will be in the hundreds. Vassar's new art lecture series, Kaleidoscope: Interdisciplinary Views of Art, seeks to provide a multifaceted answer to some of these questions wih the perspectives of faculty from varying academic fields. Many of us are not at liberty to overhear the interesting conversations the faculty have about a piece of art. This new series will give us the opportunity to eavesdrop on these fascinating discourses. The first installment to kick off the Kaleidoscope series will be an event entitled "Adèle Romany and Female Accomplishments in 19th-century France," on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center (FLLAC) Print Room.

Diane Butler, The Andrew W. Mellon Coordinator of Academic Affairs, began thinking of the series through conversations with faculty members. A collaborative process was soon at work to introduce a fresh and innovative idea that would incorporate different faculty members with shared interests in artwork. "The process is fairly organic. A possible artwork emerges through conversations with faculty— perhaps two professors have requested to teach with an object without knowing that the other shares their interest in art," wrote Butler in an e-mailed statement. She went on to explain that on a classroom level, professors incorporate artwork to further develop or teach themes relevant to their course.Since Thursday marks the first Kaleidoscope event, its format is unprecedented, but there is a goal for the series to avoid resembling current art history lectures. As Butler wrote, "[The professors] are not expected to be art historians; we want them to look at art from the perspective of a historian, an English professor or a scientist." For the upcoming Romany event, the speakers will include Associate Professor of History Mita Choudhury, Associate Professor of French Susan Hiner, Drama Lecturer and Costume Designer Holly Hummel, Associate Professor of Music Kathryn Libin, Associate Professor of English Susan Zlotnick and Butler herself. The lecturers will use PowerPoint and short presentations to discuss the artwork during the first half of the event. "It gives audience members an opportunity to hear cross-disciplinary conversations that take place all the time at a liberal arts college," wrote Butler. "Perhaps it's a bit like being a fly on the wall at a dinner party where guests all share their expertise on a painting hanging nearby."

This specific event will revolve around the "Portrait of the Artist's Family in Front of the Château de Juilly, îsle de France (1804)" by Adéle Romany. It will highlight the achievements of female artists in France during the 19th century and the social conventions expected of women during this time. "Beautifully executed by a female artist, the painting depicts objects that suggest what was expected of young women in 19th-century France: to be accomplished in music and needlework, to be well-read, well-dressed and graceful," wrote Butler. The portrait is a recent acquisition to the FLLAC's permanent collection.

Once the mini-lectures given by Diane Butler and the five Vassar professors conclude, student vocalists will perform solos in tune with the event's theme. Adjunct Artist in Music Robert Osborne has selected and prepared the music and musicians. As people view the works on display in the galleries, the musicians will perform late 18th-century pieces in period dress and clothing. The vocalists will include Maria Brosgol '12, Sarah Cantor '10, Charles O'Malley '11 and Michael Hofmann '13. The accompaniment will be provided by pianist Nicholas Rocha '11 and harpist Jeannie Chenette. "Music was very much a bonus for this Kaleidoscope. It made sense because the artist foregrounds a piano in the painting," added Butler in the e-mailed statement. "The students will be singing songs that would have been performed in the type of setting depicted in the painting— sentimental parlor songs."

By the end of the event, visitors will have heard a range of perspectives given by different faculty members. The increasing use of artwork in classrooms is a testament to the innovative and interesting ideas Kaleidoscope is trying to establish. In time, the series that debuts tonight may become a staple in the fusion of art and academics here at Vassar. People who are intrigued by art and music will appreciate this event and will surely leave feeling a little bit more intelligent and with a few of their more boggling questions answered.