THE S -WORD: PART II
“Sacred” BYZANTINE & COPTIC ICONS: A LIVING TRADITION
In the Main Gallery: Works by Contemporary Iconographers
Fr. Ilie Dantes, Adrian Iurco and Dr. Stephane René
Curated by Prof. Ronald E. Steen, Art Historian and Art Educator
Exhibition Dates: Monday, January 22 through Saturday, March 31, 2007
Gallery hours: Mon.- Fri. 10 to 3, & 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 1-4
This exhibition celebrates the sacred art of the Orthodox Church in its many forms and demonstrates that iconography is still practiced today, and is to some extent experiencing a renaissance in countries like Egypt and Russia. Even in our own overwhelmingly materialistic society, interest is growing for this sacred art form, not only for its aesthetic and artistic qualities, but for its profound spirituality.
Iconography was traditionally passed on from master to disciple and involved years of dedicated apprenticeship in a workshop environment practicing age old recipes and skills as well as learning the visual theology and symbolism that inform them. The art of the icon died in Western Europe with the coming of the Renaissance. There is a need today to reconnect with this sacred tradition, to return to the source, in order to fill a void in the contemporary sacred imagery of the Christian West, which over time has lost its vision.
The resurgence of the sacred art of the icon creates a need for its systematic tuition as demand steadily rises both from the church and the wider public. As early as the 5-6 th centuries, a fully developed Byzantine style had already emerged as seen in the famous group of encaustic icons from St. Catherine’s monastery , Sinai. From the same period are the wall mosaics of the church of St. Apollinare Nuovo and St. Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, dating from the time of Justinian (c.550), demonstrating that the Byzantine style of iconography was the norm in both Eastern and Western empires. This period, known as pre-Iconoclastic, saw some of the greatest works of Christian art, of which unfortunately, so few have survived. The same period saw the zenith of Coptic art in Egypt, exemplified in the wall paintings and icons from Bawit, Saqqara and the Kelias to which the Neo-Coptic School owes so much. Throughout the history of Iconography certain schools developed particular styles, such as the Novgorod School in 13th-15 th century Russia or the Cretan School from a slightly later period. The Gondarene School, 15 th-17 th century flourished at around the same time in Ethiopia, with a style of great beauty and sophistication, yet remaining highly symbolic, much akin to its Coptic neighbor.
ABOUT THE ICONOGRAPHERS:
Father Ilie Dantes, is a monk at the Slanic Monastery in Arges, Romania, who serves as Icon Master in the community. He was born in Tagiu Jiu, Romania and educated at the Nicole Tonitza Art School in Bucharest. He then studied in the Department of Iconography at the Academy of Art in Bucharest.
Adrian Iurco is a young iconographer born in Tulcea, Romania. He studied at the Patriarch Justinian Marina Institute of Theology in Bucharest with a specialization in church painting. He is a specialist in fresco painting and has fulfilled important commissions at the monastery of Vatopeidi on Mount Athos and on the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
Dr. Stephane René , was born in Versailles, France. He is a London-based iconographer working in the Contemporary Coptic style and one of very few exponents of this sacred artistic tradition in the West. He trained at the Institute of Coptic Studies, Cairo, under Prof. Isaac Fonous, where he received his Master’s degree. He completed his PhD at the Royal College of Art, London, in 1990 and has since fulfilled several large commissions in the UK and abroad, notable the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Mikhail, Santa Ana, California, and St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in London. Dr. René is a Lecturer in Christian Art and is associated with the Prince’s School of the Traditional Arts and the Temenos Academy.
The S -Word: Part I
The State of “Spirituality” in Contemporary Art
 |
In the Hall Gallery a mini version of the group exhibition held over by popular demand of work exhibited in Southern California by contemporary artists from 1979/1980 to the presented created not for sacred environments. Works by Lynn Aldrich, Sandow Birk, Rob Clayton, Einer & Jamex de la Torre, Daniel Martin Diaz, Mark Ryden, Fred Stonehouse, Ruth Weisberg and Patty Wickman. A catalogue accompanies this exhibition. |
CONCURRENT EXHIBITION AT THE GETTY CENTER, LOS ANGELES
“HOLY IMAGE, HALLOWED GROUND: ICONS FROM SINAI”
November 14, 2006 – March 4, 2007
This exhibition features a selection of artistic treasures from Saint Catherine’s at Mount Sinai, Egypt, which possesses one of the world’s finest collections of Byzantine icons and manuscripts. Forty-three icons, six manuscripts, and several precious objects used in the celebration of the liturgy are on view. This exhibition reveals the central role of icons in Byzantine spiritual practices and conveys their vital function in religious celebrations.
ART EDUCATION PROGRAMS
For all the below art education programs enrollment & pre-payment
call Mon.-Fri. 9-1, (323) 255-0131
MASTER PAINTING CLASS IN THE “Neo-Coptic” STYLE
with Dr. Stephane René
Over the 5 day class the Holy Face will be written according to the canons of the Neo-Coptic School. Subjects explored will include the use of geometry and symbolism as well as the technique of egg tempera on gesso.
Mon. – Fri., Feb. 19-23, 10-12 a.m. & 2-4 p.m.
$700.00 pre-paid. Limited to 15 registrants
Students are expected to bring their own brushes, #2, 5 and 8 pure sables
and palette.
All other materials are included.
TOUR OF THE EXHIBITON “Sacred” BYZANTINE & COPTIC ICONS
with Dr. Stephane René
Sat. Feb. 24, 4-6 p.m. Free. Reservations are required. Limited to 25 registrants
TOUR OF THE GETTY CENTER EXHIBITION “ICONS FROM Sinai”
with Dr. Stephane René accompanied by the curator Prof. Ronald E. Steen
Sun. Feb. 25, 3-5 p.m., $20.00 pre-paid. Reservations are required. Limited
to 25 registrants.
MASTER PAINTING CLASS IN THE GREEK “Byzantine” STYLE with
Dr. Stephane René
This 5 day class will focus on the Holy Face according to the canons of the School of Panselinos who was active in the 13 th century. Students will be taught the egg tempera technique still practiced on Mount Athos today.
Mon. – Fri., Feb. 26-March 2, 10-12 a.m. & 2-4 p.m.
$700.00 pre-paid. Limited to 15 registrants
Students are expected to bring their own brushes, #2, 5 and 8 pure sables
and palette.
All other materials are included.
Group Tours: Judson Studios Workshop & The Exhibitions
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Tour format approx. 1 ½ hr. $10.00 per person.
Group minimum 20.
Call Mon.-Fri. 9-1, (323) 255-0131 Tour reservations and events coordinator
Hold your event or meeting in the creative environment of Judson Studios & Art Gallery.
Call (800) 445-8376
ABOUT THE JUDSON GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL ART
Judson Studios was originally the School of Fine Art and Architecture of U.S.C. William Lees Judson was the founder and first Dean of the School. The spacious, high ceiling, northern-lit studio, which today is The Judson Gallery of Contemporary and Traditional Art, was used for large drawing and painting classes. The rest of the building contained studio space for the students and dorms. In 1920 when USC centralized its campus the Judson Studios moved into the building. Founded in 1897, the Studios has continued to manufacturer stained glass, or what it is more commonly referred to in contemporary terms as, architectural glass. Judson Studios is still family run, and is currently owned by Karen Judson, and directed by David Judson, fourth and fifth generation respectively. Today the Studios bring a 21 st century aesthetic and technology sensibility to the facility and the craft, with over 100 years of tradition and experience. The philosophy of the gallery is to showcase all forms of contemporary and traditional art which is well crafted. |
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