Calendar fall 2014 winter 2015
D
uring the academic year 2014–15, the Carlos Museum and Emory University celebrate Creation Stories in conjunction with the Atlanta Symphony’s premier of a new work on the theme of creation by American composer Christopher Theofanides. Look for Creation Stories programs across the collections and in conjunction with special exhibitions throughout the year.
FREE ADMISSION ON SELECT THURSDAYS
*
Though admission is always free to members, the Carlos Museum offers free admission to the public on select Thursdays: December 4, January 22, and February 5.
PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES s These programs are free, but a reservation is required by
calling 404-727-0519 or emailing avuley@emory.edu. v Fee: $15 for Carlos Museum members; $20 for non-members. Registration is required by contacting Alyson Vuley at 404-727-0519 or avuley@emory.edu.
Artful Stories for Families s
Saturday, December 6, 10 am Greek Galleries, Level One
Children will hear the Greek creation story of Deucalion and Pyrrha in the Carlos Court, surrounded by Greek sculptures of gods and goddesses whose clothing was beautifully carved by ancient hands. Afterwards, they will head downstairs to the Tate Room for some serious dress-up fun with traditional Greek garments —peplos, chitons, himations, and chlamys— and pose for photos. For ages 3 to 5 years with accompanying adults.
Family Concert Sunday, December 14, 4 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
The Carlos Museum and the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta welcome Old St. Nick to introduce some of his favorite classical music of the holiday season.
Artful Stories for Families s
Humbaba Plaque Mesopotamia, Old Babylonian Period, ca. 2000–1600 bc. Clay. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Jerome M. Eisenberg
Humbaba, Monster Protector Children’s Workshop v Sunday, January 25, 2–4 pm Tate Room, Plaza Level
Learn about the fearsome Humbaba who protected the ancient cedar forest of Mesopotamia in the epic story, Gilgamesh. Children will examine the head of Humbaba and other ancient Sumerian artifacts in the Near East Galleries before creating their own monster face amulets with teaching artist, Pam Beagle-Daresta. For ages 9 to 12 years.
Pajama Family Concert Friday, January 30, 7 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Bring your pillows and stuffed animals and enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows as the Vega String Quartet performs Music of the Night Sky in conjunction with the exhibition African Cosmos: Stellar Arts.
Artful Stories for Families s Saturday, February 7, 10 am Egyptian Galleries, Level One
In conjunction with the installation of the Nippur Flood Tablet at the Carlos Museum, children will hear the tablet’s story— The Story of Utnapishtim from ancient Sumeria. Children will then press shapes of the three birds from the story — a swallow, a dove, and a raven — onto their own clay tablets. For ages 3 to 5 years and accompanying adults.
Children will listen to The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt before looking at the beautifully painted image of the separation of earth and sky on the coffin of Tahat in the Egyptian Galleries. Children will create their own piece of sky on cloth before engaging in imaginative play to lift up the sky from the earth, just like in the story. For ages 3 to 5 years and accompanying adults.
Storytelling with Clay Children’s Workshop v
Ptah and Egyptian Creation Children’s Workshop v
Saturday, January 17, 10 am Near East Galleries, Level One
Sunday, January 18, 2–4 pm Tate Room, Plaza Level
The first epic story to be written down wasn’t written on paper— it was written on clay tablets! Children will hear the story of Gilgamesh and look at clay tablets and other Sumerian artifacts in the Near East Galleries. Children will create their own story on a clay tablet. For ages 6 to 8 years.
Detail from Coffin of Tanakhtnettahat Egypt. Dynasty 21, 1075–945 bc Wood, pigment Charlotte Lichirie Collection of Egyptian Art
Sunday, February 8, 2–4 pm Tate Room, Plaza Level
Ptah, an Egyptian god of creation and revered by craftspeople, created humans on his potter’s wheel. After exploring the distinctive figure of Ptah and other Egyptian artifacts in the special exhibition African Cosmos: Stellar Arts, children will build clay figures of the god and try their hand at the potter’s wheel with ceramic artist Ana Vizurraga. For ages 8 to 12 years.
Family Tour and Planetarium Show
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Sunday, February 15, 2–4 pm Special Exhibition, Level Three
Dr. Erin Bonning, director of the Emory University Planetarium, presents The Skies of Africa, a special program developed in conjunction with the exhibition African Cosmos: Stellar Arts. After looking at the stars and planets that have inspired artists for centuries, participants will take a family tour of the exhibition with museum docents. For children ages 6 to 12 years old and accompanying adults.
John and Linda Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series Friday, December 5, Noon Reception Hall, Level Three
Emory’s finest undergraduate musicians perform solo and chamber music selections. This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Come early!
AntiquiTEA *
Thursday, January 22, 4 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Enjoy afternoon chai as Dr. Marko Geslani, assistant professor in Emory’s Department of Religion, discusses a thirteenth-century Lingam from Nepal from the museum’s collection of South Asian art and the generative power of the Hindu god Shiva it embodies.
PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS
Carlos Reads Book Club Monday, December 1, 7:30 pm Board Room, Level Two
The poet Hesiod (8th/7th centuries bc) composed one of the most fascinating and influential of all creation epics, the Theogony or “genesis of the gods.” Hesiod saw creation within the framework of “family,” organizing the cosmos into a gigantic family tree. We will see how, as in our own households, relationships appear in terms of inherited traits and family resemblance. Like many clans of Greek literature, those of Hesiod’s creation are rife with sex, love, inter-generational conflict, and betrayal. Peter Bing, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Classics, leads readers through Hesiod’s fascinating creation story. $25 for Carlos Museum members; $35 for non-members, and includes the cost of the book. Registration is required by calling 404-727-6118.
AntiquiTEA *
Thursday, December 4, 4 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
The exhibition God Spoke the Earth: Stories of Genesis in Prints and Drawings features watercolors by artist Joan Wadell-Barnes that were commissioned to illustrate an American edition of Thomas Mann’s Joseph and His Brothers. The volume was never published and the artist donated the watercolors to the Carlos Museum in 2008. Andi McKenzie, assistant curator of works on paper, will discuss the series of eighteen paintings, their relationship both to the biblical story and to Mann’s epic, and the correspondence between Wadell-Barnes and Mann. Joan Waddell-Barnes (American, 1921–2008) Joseph’s Sojourn in the Well Illustrations for Thomas Mann’s Joseph and His Brothers, 1944–45 Pen and ink with wash Gift of Joan Saugrain photo: bruce m. white
Four-faced Lingam Nepal. 12th–13th centuries ad Gray schist. Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art, a gift of the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation
John and Linda Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series Friday, January 23, Noon Reception Hall, Level Three
The Carlos Museum and the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta welcome one of the elite brass soloists in the world, Adam Frey. Frey has performed all over the globe, invigorating the international music scene with his virtuoso talent on the euphonium, sensitive lyricism, and special connection with audiences. This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Come early!
carlos.emory.edu 404-727-4282
To add events to your digital calendar, visit the Carlos Museum calendar online at carlos.emory.edu/calendar.
Creation Stories Lecture
photo: mikel healey
Tuesday, January 27, 7:30 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Nix Mann Endowed Lecture and Book Signing Sunday, January 25, 4 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Dr. Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney, professor of Egyptian art and architecture at ucla and host of the Discovery Channel’s Out of Egypt, gives the annual Nix Mann Lecture in conjunction with the publication of her new book, The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut —the daughter of a general who usurped Egypt’s throne and a mother with ties to the previous dynasty —was born into a privileged position in the royal household, and she was expected to bear the sons who would legitimize the reign of her father’s family. Her failure to produce a male heir ultimately paved the way for her improbable rule. By her early twenties, Hatshepsut had successfully negotiated a path from the royal nursery to the very pinnacle of authority, and her reign saw one of ancient Egypt’s most prolific building periods. Scholars have long speculated as to why her monuments were destroyed within a few decades of her death, all but erasing evidence of her unprecedented rule. In this lecture, as in her book, Dr. Cooney offers a remarkable interpretation of how Hatshepsut rapidly but methodically consolidated power— and why she fell from public favor just as quickly. The Woman Who Would Be King is available for sale in the Museum Book Shop and will also be available for sale at the event. “Kara Cooney has written a lively, engaging, historically accurate account of one of the most controversial of Egypt’s female pharaohs, Hatshepsut. Weaving together evidence from historical texts, the queen’s monuments, and archaeological finds, Cooney presents an accessible story of Hatshepsut’s rise to power until her demise, bringing ancient Egypt, its people, and its rulers to life. A fun and interesting read!” –salima ikram, professor of egyptology, american university in cairo “What Stacy Schiff did for Cleopatra, Kara Cooney has done for Hatshepsut. An absolutely fantastic read about one of the most powerful Pharaoh-Queens in ancient Egypt. Completely unputdownable!” –michelle moran, bestselling author of nefertiti
Carlos Reads Book Club Monday, January 26, 7:30 pm Board Room, Level Two
Assistant professor Marko Geslani and Visiting Distinguished Professor Narayana Rao, both of Emory’s Department of Religion, lead readers through a selection of Hindu creation stories, including Book Ten, Hymn 129 of the Rig Veda. Fee: $25 for Carlos Museum members; $35 non-members, and includes the cost of the book. Registration is required by calling 404-727-6118.
Thousands of years ago, Mesoamericans domesticated maize from a grass called teosinte, a compound word that links corn to the gods. In a lecture titled Teosinte & Tlacatl: Corn and People in Aztec Religion, Dr. Molly Bassett, assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Georgia State University, will explore how Aztec mythology articulates maize’s centrality. The Aztecs understood themselves as living in the heart of a world that had been created and destroyed multiple times. During these solar cycles, maize became increasingly important. In the first age, people ate acorns; in the second, pine nuts; in the third, wild plants; in the fourth, a precursor to corn; and in the Fifth Sun, the time in which the Aztecs lived, humans ate maize. The Aztec myth of the Fifth Sun reveals a clear cosmogonic progression: as culture developed, corn developed, and from both religious and agricultural perspectives, culture depended on corn.
African Cosmos Lecture Tuesday, February 3, 7:30 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
In this richly illustrated lecture, Dr. Christine Mullen Kreamer, deputy director and chief curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art and curator of African Cosmos: Stellar Arts, presents the historical legacy of African cultural astronomy and its intersection with both traditional and contemporary African arts. Drawing on a stunning array of arts and artists, Kreamer considers how the celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars—and phenomena such as lightning and rainbows—serve as sources of inspiration in the creation of art in Africa from ancient times to the present. Far from abstract removed concepts, African notions of the universe are intensely personal and place human beings in relationship with earth, sky, and the heavenly bodies.
Creation Stories Lecture Tuesday, February 10, 7:30 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
For the ancient Egyptians, nothing existed before creation except a dark and watery void. With creation came light—and color. Dr. Gay Robins, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Art History at Emory, explores the ways in which the ancient Egyptians used color to represent the concept of a new creation that came with each new dawn.
John and Linda Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series Friday, February 13, Noon Reception Hall, Level Three
Join the Vega String Quartet and Bradley Howard, tenor, for this annual program of instrumental and vocal music of love.
Carlos Reads Book Club Monday, February 16, 7:30 pm Board Room, Level Two
African creation stories are as rich and diverse as the continent itself. Some have themes that will be familiar to those steeped in Genesis, such as the the Wapangwa concept that the Word was the motivating force behind creation, or the Malozi story reminiscent of the Tower of Babel. Others will be new and startling, like the Kono story in which Death is the original force in the world, existing before God. Nathan Suhr-Sytsma, assistant professor of English at Emory, discusses The Origin of Life and Death: African Creation Myths, focusing on a selection of memorable West African stories, the book’s singular editor Ulli Beier, and a reworking of one of the stories by Irish poet Seamus Heaney. Fee: $20 for Carlos Museum members; $25 non-members, and includes the cost of the text. Registration is required by calling 404-727-6118.
AntiquiTEA
African Cosmos: Stellar Arts Workshop for Teachers
Thursday, February 19, 4 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Thursday, February 19, 5 pm Tate Room, Plaza Level
Enjoy afternoon tea and scones as Rachel P. Kreiter, PhD candidate in the Art History Department, discusses the ancient Egyptian conceptualization of the coffin as a representation of the cosmos with the deceased at the center.
From the Moon to the Milky Way— An African Cosmos Program Sunday, February 22, 2 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
The Carlos welcomes two distinguished scholars from ucla’s Department of World Arts and Cultures — Alan F. Roberts and Mary (Polly) Nooter Roberts, for two presentations related to the African Cosmos: Stellar Arts exhibition. In a lecture titled Performing Tabwa Cosmology: The Moon, The Milky Way, and an Occasional Kick in the Head, Alan Roberts will discuss the ways in which Tabwa people of southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo understand their social and physical lives as harmonies of heavens, geographies, and physical being. Lunar regularities of cycle are complemented by the temporal sweep of the Milky Way realized in ritual and danced in earlier times. The moon is a complex metaphor in Luba culture because it appears and disappears, offers clarity and delivers obscurity. Yet the rising of the new moon is a time of rejuvenation and rebirth as the tiny sliver of newly emergent light appears every lunar cycle. In a richly illustrated lecture titled Embodied Enlightenment: Receptacles of Moonlight in Luba Art and Culture, Polly Roberts will discuss how moonlight is integral to understanding art forms associated with Luba royal culture, divination practices, and the transmission of sacred knowledge. The moon sheds light on life’s most elusive secrets while offering hope and insight in times of challenge and life-changing transformation. Refreshments will be served between the two talks.
Tabwa artists, Democratic Republic of the Congo Basket Mid-20th century Wood, fiber Fowler Museum at UCLA, Gift of Joan Saugrain
Luba artist, Democratic Republic of the Congo Headrest Mid-to late 19th century Wood, oil National Museum of African Art, Museum purchase
PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS
Evening for Educators Friday, February 6, 5 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Atlanta area teachers are invited to a special teacher preview of African Cosmos: Stellar Arts coming from the National Museum of African Arts, Smithsonian Institution. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, a 10% discount in the Museum Bookshop, and an introduction to the themes and objects in the exhibition at 5:30 with Dr. Amanda Hellman, curator of African art. This is a free event. rsvp is required by emailing jgree09@emory.edu.
The Carlos Museum’s curator of African art, Amanda Hellman, will introduce teachers to this special exhibition from the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition demonstrates how the observations of the heavens are part of the knowledge that informs origin stories, artistic expression, and ritual practice in African cultures. This event includes a special presentation on the African skies in the Emory University Planetarium with Emory astrophysicist Dr. Erin Bonning. Fee: $7 for Museum members; $12 for non-members. Registration is required by contacting Julie Green at jgree09@emory.edu.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Dogon Cloud-Catchers with Blacksmith Jason Smith Saturday, February 28, 10 am–5 pm Loading Dock & African Cosmos Exhibition, Level Three
According to Dogon mythology, the blacksmith stole fire from the sun to heat his forge. Then he created iron “cloud-catchers” to bring the rain. The Carlos welcomes Atlanta blacksmith Jason Smith of Smithworks Iron and Design, to work with people of all ages to create “cloud-catchers” on his portable forge. Docent-guided tours of African Cosmos: Stellar Arts will be offered on the hour beginning at 10 am. Free to Carlos Museum members; $10 for non-members. Register for your time at the forge by calling 404-727-0519. In recognition of Member Appreciation Day, Carlos Museum members are invited to register for this event at no charge and to enjoy hot chocolate and sweets in the Tate Room throughout the day.
Veneralia Revealed–An Exotic Moroccan Evening Friday, April 1
Veneralia Revealed will bring North African culture into focus with brilliant lantern light, fire dancing, special musical performances, and deliciously decadent fare at the Imperial Fez restaurant. Rebecca and Sidney Yarbrough iii will serve as Chairs of the event and Reid Mizell and Bernard van der Lande will serve as Patron Chairs. Longtime supporters Sally and Jim Morgens will be celebrated as Honorary Chairs for their contributions to the vitality and growth of the Carlos Museum, especially its Egyptian collection. Tickets and information are available online at carlos.emory.edu/Veneralia or call 404-727-2115.
SPECIAL MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS
African Cosmos: Stellar Arts Member Preview Thursday, January 29, 7–9 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Carlos Museum members are cordially invited to preview the exhibition African Cosmos: Stellar Arts at a special reception. Your membership includes two adults to member opening events. If you would like to bring additional guests, the fee is $20 per guest. rsvp and/or purchase guest passes online at carlos.emory.edu/preview or by phone 404-727-2635 by January 22.
Council and Partner Level Brunch and Tour Saturday, February 7, 10 am–12:30 pm Reception Hall, Level Three
Council and Partner Level members are invited to a light champagne brunch and curator-led tour of African Cosmos: Stellar Arts with our very own Dr. Amanda Hellman, curator of African art. rsvp by email carlosmembership@emory.edu or phone 404-727-2623.
non profit organization u.s. postage paid atlanta, georgia permit number 3604
michael c. carlos museum emory university 571 kilgo street atlanta, ga 30322 carlos.emory.edu
AT A G LAN CE
FEBRUARY
TUES February 3, 7:30 pm African Cosmos Lecture FRI February 6, 5 pm Evening for Educators
DECEMBER
SAT February 7, 10 pm Artful Stories
MON December 1, 7:30 pm Carlos Reads Book Club
SAT February 7, 10 am Council & Partner Members Breakfast & African Cosmos Tour
THURS December 4, 4 pm AntiquiTEA FRI December 5, Noon John and Linda Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series
SUN February 8, 2 pm Ptah and Egyptian Creation Children’s Workshop
SAT December 6, 10 am Artful Stories
FRI February 13, Noon John and Linda Cookie Noontime Chamber Music Series
SUN December 14, 4 pm Family Concert
TUES February 10, 7:30 pm Creation Stories Lecture
SUN February 15, 2 pm Family Tour and Planetarium Show JANUARY
MON February 16, 7:30 pm Carlos Reads Book Club
SAT January 17, 10 am Artful Stories
THURS February 19, 4 pm AntiquiTEA
SUN January 18, 2 pm Storytelling with Clay Children’s Workshop
THURS February 19, 5 pm African Cosmos: Stellar Arts Workshop for Teachers
THURS January 22, 4 pm, AntiquiTEA FRI January 23, Noon John and Linda Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series
SUN February 22, 2 pm From the Moon to the Milky Way Lectures
SUN January 25, 2 pm Humbaba, Monster Protector Children’s Workshop
SAT February 28 Member Appreciation Day
SUN January 25, 4 pm Nix Mann Endowed Lecture and Book Signing
FRI April 1, 7 pm Veneralia Revealed
SAT February 28, 10 am Dogon Cloud-Catchers Workshop
MON January 26, 7:30 pm Carlos Reads Book Club TUES January 27, 7:30 pm Creation Stories Lecture THURS January 29, 7 pm African Cosmos: Stellar Arts Member Preview
* FREE ADMISSION AND EXTENDED HOURS
FRI January 30, 7 pm Pajama Family Concert
Gavin Jantjes. Untitled (detail), 1989–90. Acrylic. National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisitions Program, 96-23-1 cover