A nod is as good as a wink

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Final Exhibition SUMMER 2013

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

Introduction The integration between the Renaissance philosophy of creative, progressive innovation and our 21st century art practices are at the crux of this exhibition. The students in this class were charged with drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of Renaissance-era Florence and then re-interpreting what they saw into a contemporary vision utilizing High Dynamic Range digital imaging and digital panoramic stitching techniques. The digital re-interpretations are not meant to be literal, linear translations of the original source. Rather, they are personal reflections and internalizations of what Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, or Galileo must have felt when they pondered “what if?” Freed from constraints, the creative mind must wander, and the act of wandering necessarily leads to discovery. Michelangelo said, “A man paints with his brain, not with his hands.” If anything, the Renaissance proved to us that the intellect is the engine of discovery.

We work as artists, not because we choose to do so, but because we can do nothing else. Through exploring our artistic past, embracing our creative present, we move, eagerly into the future.

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

NICOLE ROBBINS Tre Gratiae In a time long ago, The three graces or Gratiae, were called upon to Inspire all forms of art, and individually they represent charm, beauty and creativity. The three young ladies are daughters of Jupiter and Venus. Historically depicted as the accompaniment to the gods that inspire the romance that comes along with all aspects of the arts.

In 2013, nearly 2,500 years since the original depiction of the mythological representation of the graces, I’ve called upon the Gratiae to inspire my artistic endeavours while creating art in Florence. I have revived the women as a 21st century brand and represented them as celebrities thorough the modern eye. The untouchable beauty that these Iconic images developed were last seen in the Renaissance in the works of Botticelli , Raphael, Lorenzetti , Pontormo and Rubens. Taking a modern approach to the graces I’ve added young women with tattoos and introduced a different race to represent a broader aspect of the beauty the world now encompasses.

Nicole Robbins -A freelance Photographer living and working out of Atlanta,GA and Memphis,TN and currently a Senior at University of Memphis concentrating on Photojournalism and Advertising. Nicole has a background in photographing rising professional ballet dancers and various musical acts. Her work has been published by MixOnline, Digital producer , Electronic Musician and Music Industry News. Nicole’s goal as a photographer is to capture the world around her as it happens, the art of the daily life while seeming the previously unseen and documenting it every step taken in a new direction.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

NATALIE COLE Reflection Image reproduction versus deep thought; those are the two main concepts behind this body of work. Reflection can be as simple as the reproduction of an image on a reflective object, or go deeply into dealings of the body, mind and soul. From an early age, I was drawn to the architecture of old style churches. Now that I’m in Florence, Italy with basilicas, cathedrals, and abbey churches everywhere, my passion shifted into overdrive. When composing this body of work, my Renaissance inspiration came from the techniques of Fillippo Brunelleschi and his use of linear perspective, mirrors, and realism. This technique broadened the skill-set of artists of his time to allow more realistic three dimensional artwork. which is still in use today. In my contemporary adaptation, the driving force is the use of windows as mirrors, for a modern twist, with hints that range from humanistic vanity to spiritual contemplation . Each image, while merely a reflection of prominent churches, including the Duomo di Santa Maria Del Fiore and San Gaetano, offer much more than what one initially sees.

Natalie S. Cole. b. Humboldt, TN. 1991 Senior news journalism major, photography minor, at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN USAone must only be willing to reflect deeper.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

KAITLYN DUNN When standing inches away from the grand collections of artwork from the Renaissance era throughout the city of Florence, one can almost feel the presence of the former artists and citizens that lived amongst this city so many centuries before. Their presence still lingers like ghosts through their artworks and in the city. My inspiration for this body of work has come from this presence I have experienced, as well as the diverse cultural influences that beautifully mesh together throughout the city. I have created a series of portraits that combine these artistic and historical aspects. Derived from Italian architecture, as well as Greek and Roman statuary, Byzantine altarpieces and Renaissance paintings, I have created Byzantine portraits that create a ghostly presence that mimic the various artists of the past, with a touch of modern day.

For the last 5 years I have been studying photography at the University of Memphis and will soon be earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Art of Photography. I have taken the opportunity to study at the Florence University of the Arts to further my education and to build more experience as a photographer, as well as broaden my horizons as an artist. Studying in Italy has not only allowed me to emerce myself in different cultures of the world, but has also driven my aspirations for photography. Upon returning home I will continue on my path towards graduation with hopes of seeing much more of what the world has to offer afterward.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

ROY HAWKINS Royal P. O.V.: Italian Perspectives from a Modern Day Renaissance Man is a series of panoramic images reflecting the sights of Italy through my eyes. Historically, during the Italian Renaissance, scholars began to learn more about themselves and the physical world around them since they were freed by the previous constraints on knowledge. My normal roles in life have not been seen from behind the camera. However, as an artist now behind the camera, allows me to share contemporary perspectives of everyday life in Italy and its beauty, as well as its historical origins.

As a scholar, artist, librarian, teacher and model I considers himself the epitome of what a contemporary Renaissance man embodies, a modern scholar in a position to acquire more than superficial knowledge about many different interests. I am accustomed to being in front of the camera as a model usually; however, as an artist, being behind the camera allows me to share my perspectives of everyday life in Italy and its beauty. Through the camera lens, I capture an absolute consciousness of the rich Florentine Renaissance culture in which I have been completely immersed.

Roy-al (born Roy Hawkins, Jr.), 1977 MAT in Art Education and a MS in Library Media Information Science at the University of Memphis, BFA in studio art from University of Tennessee.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

DANTERRIO DANSBERRY My mindset when approaching this project: Don’t be afraid to experiment, stop living under laws. If it looks, or sounds good to you then stick with it.

There is no true look for good. Ignore the odds, ignore complications, and just go for it. You’re going to be criticized either way. Dream your painting, then paint your dream- te2rio

My name is Danterrio D. Dansberry. I am from Memphis, TN, and growing up in Memphis taught me some things that I needed to learn, as well as some lessons I could have done without. But, never-the-less, it has made me well-rounded and helped me to see things beyond the surface. I am very humbled to have an opportunity, such as this one, to experience the Italian culture once again. Also, seeing the graffiti on the walls as I walk through the town, reminds me of where I come from. It just shows me that the same things that happen in the States happen here as well. Seeing and knowing that makes me feel right at home.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

HAYLEY TILLERY Renaissance Unreality My pictures are a representation of Florence, and the Renaissance, in ways that have an altered sense of reality. After struggling to come up with ideas, I found that by playing around and creating things that aren’t really there, makes for some unusual photographs. I was influenced by surrealism and some of the paintings I saw in the Uffizi Gallery, such as “Primavera”, “Birth of Venus”, “David with the Head of Goliath”, and paintings from the Byzantine era. I was also influenced by things I saw while walking around the city, such as mannequins, graffiti, and the physical movement of people. I was interested in blending old with new, whether it be through color or subject matter. Fantasies are almost always better than reality, and I love the idea of blending the two together. With my pictures, I was able to create things I saw in my mind to show how I see modern-day Florence and its relationship to the Renaissance.

My name is Hayley Tillery, and I am currently a junior at the University of Memphis majoring in graphic design. I’m pretty much a complete introvert, and I love laughing and finding humor in things. I work part time as a waitress, and although I haven’t had much free time since college, I still enjoy taking pictures when I can. I have always loved photography, and love the endless possibilities one can do with it. This is my first time traveling to another country, and I’m excited to have my photographs shown here.

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK

DAVID HORAN Night Bikes Over the many years that I have been coming to Florence to teach, I have photographed the culture of the bike. I differentiate “the culture of the bike,” for the common definition of “bike culture,” in that the bicycle itself has its own personality, status, and place within the physical environment.

As I stated last year, their physical and social interactions mimic the prevailing human society in which they reside. The night bikes are solitary, patient, and silent, yet have the stealth of a thief. They live at the fringe of light, and wait.

David Horan b. 1958 Instructor Photography Department of Art The University of Memphis

FUA FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS & UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS GABRIELLA GANUGI Palazzi President

LAURA SOAVE Dean of Academic Afairs

DAVID WEISS DIVA Chair

LUCA BUCCIARELLI Vice President for University Relations and Program Development

GIULIO VINCI DIVA and IDEAS Academic Coordinator

ENRICA QUARANTA Photo Facilities Manager

ALBERTO SIMONCIONI Graphics Designer

THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DR. RICHARD RANTA Dean, College Of Communications and Fine Arts

RICHARD LOU Chair, Department of Art

REBECCA LAUMANN Director, Study Abroad

JONATHAN HOLLAND Study Abroad Advisor

CARISSA HOITENGA Study Abroad Advisor

Printed JUNE 2013