NEW STAGES 2015 RE:IMAGINED

A FIVE-PART EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE

Dwight Currie, Associate Director, Curator of Performance

Feb — Mar 2015

Historic Asolo Theater

If you have participated in a public conversation with an artist, you know the first question is likely to be, “where do you get your ideas?” Where — we all wonder — is the font of creativity? What triggers the imaginative powers to make art? If we should put these questions to the artists of New Stages 2015, I suspect they would agree with the British writer, Colin Wilson (1931-2013), who observed, “The imagination’s power lies in its receptivity, not in any power to ‘invent’.”

RE:Imagined is a five-part exhibition of contemporary performance created in response to received influences both historic and anticipated. There is no question as to source of inspiration; but as the artists’ minds and bodies perform in service to received words, images, and ideas, newly re-imagined artistry emerges to magnify and amplify the power of the source material. With each work, we engage not only with the creative powers of the artists on stage, but also with the aesthetic and cultural stimuli that inspired their performance.

Julian Sands in A Celebration of Harold Pinter (February 6-7) “embodies the notion of the actor as a transparent vessel through which we see the thoughts and feelings of others” (Ben Brantley, New York Times). The “other,” in this case, is Harold Pinter — arguably the most influential dramatist of his generation. Yet it is not Pinter’s dramatic literature that Sands brings to the stage, but rather his poetry. The plays, Sands says, came from “another place;” the poems came “from himself.” It is a lesser-known Pinter — the private man — that is revealed in Sand’s portrayal. He is still “abrasively self-assured and often hostile and foul-mouthed,” but through Sands (as directed by John Malkovich) we see the writer who, in his own words, was “only dimly conscious of the grounds of my activity.”

The source material for ETHEL’S Documerica (February 20-21) is an archive of powerful photographs commissioned in 1971 by the EPA to document the state of our environment. Working in collaboration with projection designer Deborah Johnson, the musicians of ETHEL tap the archive’s evocative potential by juxtaposing the music of today’s composers with the imagery of the photographs. The result is a dramatic portrait of a tumultuous era that is by turns urban, rural, pastoral and gritty. It is a generous act of creative reimagining that restores the visual and emotional impact of culturally significant photographs by bringing them into dialogue with a new century.

Choreographer Dušan Týnek will draw his inspiration from The Ringling’s art collection to create a new work for Camera Illuminata, performed by Dušan Týnek Dance Theatre (March 6-7) a program that already includes intimate solos and duets inspired by such artists as Caravaggio, Degas, and Schiele. Widely hailed for his sophisticated command of structure and space, Týnek evokes the imagery of the camera obscura in the visualization of tableaux that recall the atmosphere and emotion of the paintings. Then, as he enlivens each work with a dance vocabulary that is distinctly his own, he opens our eyes to see the movement of the artist’s hand as it is re-imagined on the canvas of his choreography.

In Cinema Vivant (March 20-21), the gypsy jazz of The Hot Club of San Francisco transports you to the French countryside of the 1930s, when caravans of entertainers played music as the flickering imagery of silent cinema was projected on a barn. In reviving this entertainment, The Hot Club has created scores for the cinematic miracle of early stop-action animation. Three vintage films of the early twentieth century (two by the European filmmaker Ladislaw Starewicz and one by the American Charley Bowers) are projected on screen as the musicians play their guitars and fiddles, matching every movement with characteristic virtuosity, passion, and humor.

For the past ten years, the imagery of human figures at the mercy of surging waters has prompted conceptual artist Lars Jan to explore our baffling response to the devastating effects of climate change. It is the anticipation of catastrophe that informs Holoscenes (March 25-28), an exploration of our capacity for empathy and long-term thinking that presents movement art in a large aquarium wherein the performers are threatened and engulfed by rising waters. Presented in the open air on The Ringling’s waterfront, the performance site itself — predicted to be underwater by the close of this century — plays an integral role in a visceral and involving engagement with vulnerability.

Historic Asolo Theater Performances

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30 PM

$30, $25, $20

$25, $20, $15 for Members

NOTE: Holoscenes is a non-ticketed installation performed on the grounds of The Ringling Museum.

A Message From Mike Urette

I’m honored to be named the Chair of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of thirty-one men and women who have an over-riding passion for all forms of art. They are appointed to the Board by the President of Florida State University for a four year term. At least onethird of the Board must live in Sarasota or Manatee County, and two-thirds may come from outside the area to provide state-wide representation and geographic diversity. The Board has a wide variety of tasks but they all boil down to three principal responsibilities:

First

To set policies which oversee the maintenance and preservation of the collections of the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, and the furnishings of the Ca’ d’ Zan mansion;

Second

To nominate the Director of the Museum, who is appointed by the University President;

Third

To assist in growing the endowment and supporting annual fund-raising for museum operations.

By fulfilling these responsibilities the Board will preserve the legacy which John and Mable Ringling so generously left to our community and the State of Florida. I have commuted from Tampa for the past five years because I find inspiration on The Ringling campus. The art collection presents some of the finest visual experiences in the world; the circus is an infectiously happy environment and always creates smiles; and Ca’d’ Zan is a reminder of a world that used to be. Being on the beautiful campus and engaging with the friendly staff, the Board, and visitors offers a pleasure that is addictive. I just can’t get enough of The Ringling!

MEU

Welcome New Board Leaders

Board Chair

Mike Urette is the founder and chief executive of Great American Corporation in Tampa. The 32-yearold family-administered organization is a diversified real estate construction, development, and management company. Urette has been active in the Tampa community for more than 30 years. He has held a variety of civic positions focused on the arts. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and earned Master’s degrees from Indiana University. Urette has served on the Board at The Ringling since 2009.

Board Vice Chair

Paul G. Hudson Managing Director and Private Client Advisor at U.S. Trust more than 20 years of professional experience in delivering customized financial, tax, trust and investment planning strategies to wealthy clients and their families. He received his Bachelor of Science in

Board Treasurer

Nancy Parrish is a private investor and collector. Parrish was founding co-chair of Human Rights Watch, northern California Chapter. She served two terms as Development Trustee of Friends of University of California San Francisco’s Department of Psychiatry’s Hospital Board. She currently serves as Vice President and Development Chair of The Children’s Guardian Fund of Sarasota. Prior to 1996, Parrish was founder and managing partner of Parrish, Smith Associates, a consulting firm.

Darrel Flanel is a Managing Director at Bank of America

Merrill Lynch in the healthcare investment banking group. He has more than 30 years of investment banking experience primarily serving non-profit hospitals, universities and cultural organizations. He has completed transactions aggregating in excess of $30 million as well as advising on mergers and acquisitions in excess of $5 billion. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Florida State

Jeffrey Hotchkiss is a retired President of Teradyne, a Boston based manufacturer of systems for the testing of electronic products.

English from Florida State University.

During his 38- year career at Teradyne, he has held roles in various sales, marketing, and division management positions, including Chief Financial Officer from 1997-1999. Hotchkiss has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University and a Master of Management Science from The Sloan School at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Building A Lasting Legacy

Legacy Spotlight Charlie Huisking

The Ringling inducted six new families into The John and Mable Ringling Legacy Society at the annual Legacy Luncheon.

“The Ringling has been a big part of my life since I was a child,” Charlie Huisking, one of the inductees, said. “My parents took me there regularly, for art classes, concerts in the Courtyard and just to gape at the giant Rubens paintings. I even made a movie of Romeo and Juliet on the Museum grounds as a high-school project.

“So now I’m pleased to follow my parents’ example and make a bequest to The Ringling a part of my estate planning. While my mother’s main interest was enhancing the rose garden—and wow, would she be thrilled to see how magnificent it has become—I’m primarily interested in supporting visual and performing arts programming at The Ringling. Particularly programming in the Historic Asolo Theater, which has also been a big part of my life for decades.

It’s wonderful that The Ringling is such a multi-faceted institution that offers so many possibilities to donors who want to leave a legacy.”

“The Huisking family gift will support visual and performing art. Other gifts will support the docent program, contemporary art, educational programs, staff positions, and the Museum’s general endowment. Legacy gifts allow supporters to make a lasting impact on the future success of their chosen program.

This year’s inductees include:

Dan Denton, Rebecca Donelson and Robert Blattberg

Charles L. Huisking, III

Beverly Koski

Roberta Schaummelefel

Joan and Jose Uranga

If you would like information on how you can join The John and Mable Ringling Legacy Society, please contact Erin H. Christy, JD at 941.359.5700 x 1-5807

Up Close With Steve And Judy Shank

The Ringling provides the Sarasota community with the highest quality exhibitions, programs, events and educational outreach—none of which would be possible without the support of our members, donors and friends. Recently, member and supporter Judy Shank sat down with Susan Sigman, senior development officer, to discuss why she and her husband Steve are Circle members and why they’re passionate about supporting The Ringling’s Art of Performance programming.

Susan Sigman: Why did you and Steve decide to become members?

Judy Shank: We joined The Ringling very shortly after moving to Sarasota. We came here from Minneapolis where we had a longstanding relationship with the Walker Art Center, a contemporary museum in the Twin Cities. We read an interview in The Ringling Quarterly with Dr. Matthew McLendon, who had just been appointed as the curator for Modern and Contemporary Art. We were very excited that The Ringling was going to re-energize its contemporary program.

SS: It’s wonderful that you chose to join the Museum. What influenced your decision to become members of our Circle program?

JS: When the membership program was redesigned, we liked the idea of participating at a higher level where we could become acquainted with artists, meet performers and be involved on a more personal level. We have found that we learn so much more when we actually get to know the curators. In addition, we wanted to meet others who shared our interests. We have made several very good friends through our involvement as Circle members.

SS: What do you and Steve enjoy most about being members?

JS: We enjoy the tremendous variety at The Ringling. We love the Circus Museum, the Renaissance art and the beautiful grounds. When we bring guests, there is something for everyone to do and see.

SS: If you were going to encourage others to become members, particularly Circle members, what would you say to them?

JS: I’d say that you will have nearly unlimited opportunities to learn about art, art history and local history, and you will see performances that are amazing in their creativity.

SS: Tell me about some of the most memorable experiences you and Steve have had at the Museum.

JS: Many things come to mind, but the performance by the string quartet ETHEL with Robert Mirabal was one of the most exciting and stimulating musical experiences we have ever had. We loved the Zimoun show several years ago, the recent R. Luke DuBois exhibition, and the thrilling performance of John Luther Adams’ Inuksuit in The Ringling Courtyard.

SS: You and Steve seem to enjoy the diverse offerings at the Museum and support many things. In particular, why have you chosen to support Art of Performance?

JS: We have found Art of Performance to be thought provoking and intellectually stimulating but more importantly, we experience something we would describe as delight after nearly every show. Art of Performance is a cultural asset that truly sets Sarasota apart. Come. Be amazed. Be challenged. Be warmed. Share the gift. For information about Circle membership, contact Sharon Freddes at 941.359.5821.To learn about Art of Performance, contact Susan Sigman at 941.359.5700 x1-5806.