Music
Alchemy – Magically Transmuting Baroque Music into Xmas Joy
Communicating ideas and feelings to someone else is made possible through the beauty of music. Festive music is meant to be cheerful, joyous and performed in a mood of celebration. Brisbane based ensemble Alchemy will celebrate Christmas 2011 by performing stunning pieces of Baroque style music, featuring the superb vocal athletics of soprano Shelli Hulcome. They will be inspirational performances, filled with energy, passion and joy.
Love Jewellery from Cupid to Cartier
When people today talk about jewels, jewellery, gemmology and gems it is clear the vocabulary has become confused. Gemstones are treasured minerals found in the earth. ‘Gems’ are the objects fashioned from them. Jewels are gem ready for mounting into jewellery and other objects of art. And, jewellery – it is the finished product that if its designer from Cupid to Cartier has succeeded, adorns its wearer well.
Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Harmony of Courtly Love
From the 11th to the 13th century in England and Europe expressing personal feelings in relation to the beauty and bountiful joys of women became the province of troubadours, who were both composers and performers of lyrical poetry set to romantic music. They roved about the countryside visiting castles and their communities to deliver the latest ditties going about in song. The themes they favoured the most were those of chivalry and courtly love.
Ancient Greek Art – A Meeting of the Human with the Divine
Greek sculpture was the first, the only ancient art to break free from conceptual conventions, for that of representing men and animals. Artisans wanted to explore consciously how art might imitate nature, or even improve upon it. There was no conscious striving towards realism at first, especially until it was understood to be a possible and desirable goal. This began six centuries before the Christ event.
Tiptoe Through The Tulips – Speculating on a Fragile Flower
“Come tulip come and take color from my cheek” said Eastern Philosopher Mevlana in the thirteenth century when shrubs, bulbs and flowers were flooding into Europe from the near East. They went wild for them, especially Holland, who would make the tulip that grew wild in Anatolia in western Turkey an integral part of both its culture and economy
Nijinsky to Nureyev – The Ballet Russes Enduring Legacy
From choreography to creativity the Ballet Russes imagined the future of dance. The company under the brilliant direction of their guru, Sergei Diaghlev, turned it into a rock star activity within a framework of early twentieth century design and culture. The National Gallery of Australia bought its treasure trove of garments at auction. And once again, Russian romance was transported to Australian shores.
Tapestry Tales, heavy with meaning and intention
A commission of six tapestries for William Knox D’arcy’s Dining Room at Stanmore Hall in Middlesex illustrates the story of the Holy Grail quest, as told in Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. They took five years to weave and are considered among the most significant works made during the nineteenth century when romanticism was at its height and they paint a beguiling picture of lovely maidens and dashing knights in a style that was very appealing.
Jean Baptiste Lully, Noble Simplicity and Quiet Greatness
During the seventeenth century European and English composers displayed great creativity, combining brilliantly philosophical thought and musical aesthetics to render and translate into music the passions, preferences and affections of contemporary man. The Baroque, as expressed in secular art, music and life, became a potent force guided by Louis XIV of France at his chateau at Versailles. His grandiose, absolutist concepts, structure and ceremonious life of his court were reflected in the mirrors of his grand salon.
Martha Nussbaum’s Call – Hug the Dragon for Social Profit
American Philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum is the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics in the Philosophy Department, Law School, and Divinity School at the University of Chicago. In her short and powerful new book called Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities she makes a passionate case for the importance of the liberal arts at all levels of education. She challenges us all to strive be truly human – ‘to remain childlike, to keep an open mind, to refine an ability to remain humble, to eschew pride and arrogance and to be reverent towards other people and towards the natural world’.
Milica Ilic Soprano – A Brilliant Career in the Making
Milica Ilic is a young soprano with a brilliant career in opera before her, a sincere young lady with both the passion and commitment for her art and craft, the mental strength and persistence required to succeed, as well as a great deal of sensitivity and style. She is the whole package.
CLASSIC: Artists & Artisans – Renaissance to Restoration
Classic – is the SECOND part of our four (4) segment course the Evolution of Art, Design & Style. It is available in video, ebook or podcast format and can be watched, read or listened to on your computer, iPad, Kindle or iPod.
The Golden Hands of Nikolai Demidenko – Poet of the Keyboard
Based in Brisbane Medici Concerts is all about the power of music motivating, captivating, inspiring and entertaining its audiences. In the final of its 2011 series they are presenting Russian born British pianist Nikolai Demidenko, who is a supercharged virtuoso performer.
Artisans and Artists during the Renaissance Golden Age
During the rebirth of humanism in Italy from the 4th to the 14th centuries patrons began recognizing that artisans, who had always worked under the direction of guilds or the church, were not only skilled technicians but also thinkers, discoverers and inventors. They sought to acquire the works of these ‘artists’ and use their talents to advance their own social agenda. So nothing has changed really.
CLASSIC Artists & Artisans, Days 13 & 14 French Renaissance
François 1 dazzled Europe with the sophistication of his court and Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci [1452-1519], former festaivolo at the court of Milan became his ‘Master of the Entertainments’. Following his son Henry II’s untimely death devastating religious wars ensued until Henry IV [1553-1610], the Great, restored France to peace, strong monarchy and stable [...]
CLASSIC Artists & Artisans Day 19 The Dream Team & Stuarts
Day 19 - The Dream Team Part 3 Louis XIV set about renovating his father’s hunting lodge at Versailles seconding the talents of Foucquet’s ‘dream team’ to create a building project that ultimately influenced the evolution of all the arts in the western world. Louis Le Vau was succeeded on his death at Versailles by [...]
CLASSIC Artists & Artisans Day 20 Great Treasure Houses
Day 20 – England and its Great Treasure Houses King James II threw the Great Seal of England into the Thames and fled England when Dutch Protestant rulers William and Mary of Orange claimed the throne of England. Around 1688 some of the grandest architectural gestures in England occur, including Chatsworth, a country palace wholly [...]
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