Some face-to-face events are returning. Check carefully for any requirements.
Dino Rock will tell us about her amazing bike ride across Canada
The Topic of the Debate segment of the afternoon (from c. 630pm) will be
______ … “THE ART of BEING HUMAN” … _________
We’ll explore how art has been/ could be used for social, personal, and also spiritual development. Do you think Modern Art is an Empty SHELL?!
“Art with no Meaning is Pointless; Aesthetics alone don’t make great Art”
Do you agree with the above statement?
With Wu Tang Clan trying to claim there latest album is ART by releasing only one copy (for sale to the highest bidder!) can anything now be art?
How has art affected you? Does it have to be in a gallery or coffee table book to classify as “a work of art”? What about Graffiti? Performance Art?
Come to the ART BAR and take part in our discussion as part of Festival Taster “Jam Sandwich” on Sat 26th April. Workshops start at 5pm including Hoola Hooping, Costume making, interactive theatre, musical improvisation (jamming)
An event showcasing an unmissable two and a half hours of the best action and adventure films from around the world.
Excess proceeds generated by ticket sales will be donated to the England and Wales Mountain Rescue (charity No.222596). The more tickets we sell the more money we can donate to this admirable cause!
The films we are excited to show you:
ALONE ON A RIVER
In November 2012, an international team of paddlers set out for the distant reaches of the Langu Khola, in the recently opened Dolpo region of Nepal. It took them a month to complete the mission, trekking over 5,000m passes and paddling class 5 rapids for 560 kilometres in remote locations, utterly alone and without hope of rescue if something went wrong. In their words; one of the most rewarding expeditions in kayaking history.
COMPULSION
A short film which examines the lure of cave exploration, and the personal motives that draw cavers back – even to the point of pushing the dangerous boundaries of a cave system.
DOWN THE LINE
A handful of dedicated Vancouverites are bringing a new sport to their local mountains, a sport that has always been linked exclusively to Utah and the Alps: canyoneering. Against all expectations, the surroundings of Vancouver are an amazing playground for canyoneers and one thing sets the region apart from all others; none of the canyons have ever been explored. Nobody even knows where they are. We follow Damien and Liucia in their quest for ‘first descent’ canyons in the mountains of Squamish, in a cinematic journey down deep slots and magnificent waterfalls. Their love for exploration is dangerous and very committing. Once in a canyon, the only way out is down!
IMAGINATE
Two years in the making, street trials rider Danny MacAskill releases his brand new riding film. Whilst previous projects have focused on locations and journeys, MacAskill’s Imaginate sees Danny take a completely different approach to riding. Enter Danny’s mind and enjoy…
ROCKIN CUBA
Striking a subtle balance between a musical and a pure sport-climbing movie, this film is the fruit of many years of labour. The movie leaves no detail to chance; everything fits smoothly and seamlessly together. The musicians accompany the climbers in an intricate dance that pushes the genre of films to new heights. This is first and foremost the story of six climbers traveling to Cuba to put up new sport routes; Mickaël Fuselier and Nina Caprez are joined by Enzo Oddo, Mélissa Le Nevé, Cédric Lachat and Sébastien Boussogne. This fun-loving group bolted an entire area of new routes in the Viñales Valley, but there’s an entirely different adventure, bringing together the movie’s characters through music.
THE BOY WHO FLIES (festival cut)
Following a dream, Canadian paraglider pilot Benjamin Jordan travels to Malawi to teach children the joys of kite flying. There he meets Godfrey, a young man who has always dreamed of flying though has never had the means.The odd pair tour the country on bikes, building kites with local children while motivating them to follow their dreams, no matter the challenge. They are destined for Malawi’s highest peak, where after weeks of ground training, the two will attempt to fly down and make Godfrey the first Malawian paraglider pilot. Observing himself through the eyes of the Malawians, Jordan must come to grips with truths about who he is as a westerner, while Godfrey is required to reach deeper into his faith than ever before as he prepares to leap off a mountain and trust the paraglider. Shining a new light on Malawian culture and lifestyle, “The Boy Who Flies” dives deep into the unique perspectives of both characters as they confront and overcome the challenges on their journey, each in their own unique way.
WRANGELLED
The Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska is 13.2 million acres full of spectacular mountains and glaciers. In April of 2013, four friends ventured into a remote section of the park to live on a glacier for two weeks, setting up base camp in the centre of untouched terrain, below some incredible ski lines…
Between the artist and the museum
Friday 9 May 2014, 5-6.30pm (doors will open at 4.45pm)
Ashmolean Museum Headley Lecture Theatre
A symposium with Michael Govan (Humanitas Visiting Professor in Museums, Galleries & Libraries at Oxford University) and Vik Muniz (Artist). Chaired by Paul Hobson (Director, Modern Art Oxford).
Free admission but booking is essential.
http://www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/humanitas/museums-galleries-libraries
A view from the Pacific: re-envisioning the art museum
Tuesday 13 May 2014, 5-6.30pm (doors will open at 4.45pm)
Ashmolean Museum Headley Lecture Theatre
A lecture by Michael Govan (Humanitas Visiting Professor in Museums, Galleries & Libraries at Oxford University). Chaired by Professor Christopher Brown (Director, Ashmolean Museum). The event will be followed by a drinks reception to which members of the audience are warmly invited.
Free admission but booking is essential.
http://www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/humanitas/museums-galleries-libraries
Professor Cameron will be talking about how language creates and maintains inequality in sexuality and gender.
Join us at Freud this Wednesday as we consider how the collections, interpretations and rituals of our cultural institutions shape society today. Paul Hobson, director of Modern Art Oxford and Dr Christopher Brown, director of The Ashmolean will present two short talks before a question and answer session, followed by drinks. The Edgar Wind Society hopes that this will be a novel opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge about art within an informal atmosphere. All are welcome.
Speaker: Susie Orbach
Psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, writer and social critic. Her books include Fat is a Feminist Issue and Bodies. A convenor of Anybody, an organisation that campaigns for body diversity. Co-founder of Antidote which works for the emotional literacy and Co-founder of Psychotherapist and Counsellors for Social Responsibility. Part of the Mansfield Lecture Series, convener Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
A TORCH day conference including keynotes from Terry Eagleton and George Pattison and parallel session papers on theodicy, evil in literature, film and TV, German philosophy (Hegel and Fichte), death and technology, Aristotle, the Akedah, and more.
Why is so much writing so bad, and how can we make it better? Is the English language being corrupted by texting and social media? Do the kids today even care about good writing? Why should any of us care? In ‘The Sense of Style’, the bestselling linguist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker answers these questions and more. Rethinking the usage guide for the twenty-first century, Pinker doesn’t carp about the decline of language or recycle pet peeves from the rulebooks of a century ago. Instead, he applies insights from the sciences of language and mind to the challenge of crafting clear, coherent, and stylish prose. Join us in the magnificent Sheldonian Theatre to hear from one of the most important public intellectuals.
Egyptomania: The Allure of Ancient Egypt
With Henrietta McCall, Department of the Middle East, British Museum
2pm Saturday, 11 October 2014 at Ashmolean Museum | Venue Information
Henrietta McCall talks about the enduring appeal of ancient Egypt in western culture. She assesses how it began with Napoleon in the early 19th century; how symbols and imagery from antiquity inspired architecture, gardens, furniture and fashion; and how in the 1920s that appeal reached its climax with the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
‘Tutankhamun and Co. Ltd’: Arthur Weigall and the Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
With Julie Hankey, author of ‘A Passion for Egypt: Arthur Weigall, Tutankhamun and the Curse of the Pharaohs’
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Tue 14 Oct, 2.30‒3.30pm
From 1905 to 1912, Arthur Weigall was Howard Carter’s successor as Chief Inspector of Antiquities for Upper Egypt. He used his position to conduct a campaign against government practice of allowing amateur collectors to excavate for private profit. With Tutankhamun’s discovery, Weigall came into open conflict with Carter’s patron, Lord Carnarvon, over his exclusive contract with The Times, and ‒ at a time of political unrest in Egypt ‒ over his assumption of rights to the contents of the tomb.
The Jerash and Decapolis Cities
With Linda Farrar, historian and archaeologist
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Thurs 16 Oct, 2–4pm (inc. tea & cake),
Today, the ancient Greco-Roman Decapolis region straddles the countries of Jordan, Israel and Syria. This lecture explores the distinct characteristics of the cities of Jerash, Gedara, Pella and Philidelphian (Aman) and tells the stories of each cities unique role in the development of this historic region.
Overture to the Oxford Ceramics Fair
With Janice Tchalenko, potter
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Fri 17 Oct, 2–3.30pm
Janice Tchalenko is an award-winning potter whose work has been exhibited internationally and commissioned for retail outlets such as John Lewis. In this lecture Janice talks about her work and inspiration.
“Everywhere the Glint of Gold”: Colourising Tutankhamun’s Tomb
With Liam McNamara, Ashmolean Keeper for Ancient Egypt and Sudan and co-curator of ‘Discovering Tutankhamun’ exhibition
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Sat 18 Oct, 2‒3pm
Howard Carter’s evocative description of the ‘wonderful things’ he saw upon entering Tutankhamun’s tomb continues to capture the public’s imagination. The excavation of the tomb and its contents were documented in black and white photographs taken by Harry Burton. This talk explores the various methods by which the excavators – and their successors – sought to ‘colourise’ the contents of the king’s tomb, from 20th-century gouache paintings on ivory, to the latest in 21st-century digital imaging techniques.
Tutankhaten ‒ Prince and King
With Dr Marianne Eaton-Krauss, independent scholar
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Tue 21 Oct, 2.30‒ 3.30pm
The name of Tutankhamun is familiar throughout the world, yet academics continue to dispute not only the identity of the boy king’s parents, but also the meaning of the name he was given at birth, Tutankhaten. This lecture explores these questions and examines objects that document his life up until the moment the decision was taken to alterhis name to Tutankhamun, marking the conclusion of a campaign to restore the god Amun to his traditional place at the head of the pantheon from which he had been toppled by the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten.
cycle BOOM: Investigating how cities and bicycles shape older peoples’ experiences of cycling.
cycle BOOM is a 3-year study by Oxford Brookes to understand cycling among the older population and how this affects independence, health and wellbeing. The ultimate aim is to advise policy makers and practitioners how our environment and technologies can be designed to help people to continue to cycle in older age or to reconnect with cycling.
Ben Spencer will talk about the project and share some of the early findings from the first wave of research this summer.
Eating Restoration Glue to Stay Alive: A History of Hermitage
With Dr Rosalind P. Blakesley, University of Cambridge
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Wed 22 Oct, 11am–12pm
The Hermitage is an institute like no other, housing over 3 million objects in buildings as iconic as the Winter Palace, seat of the Romanov dynasty until its spectacular fall from grace in 1917. As the Hermitage celebrates its 250th anniversary, Dr Blakesley charts its history from the lavish patronage of Catherine the Great to the unparalleled acquisitions of Impressionist and Post- Impressionist works.
Tutankhamun and Revolution
With Dr Paul Collins, Jaleh Hearn Curator for Ancient Near East and co-curator of ‘Discovering Tutankhamun’
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Sat 25 Oct, 2‒3pm
This talk considers three historical periods when the image and idea of Tutankhamun became a focus for revolution both in Egypt and beyond. Starting in the ancient world, the revolutions of the Amarna age, into which Tutankhamun was born, witnessed a transformation in the concept of kingship. In the early 20th century, as Egypt claimed independence from British control, Tutankhamun became a symbol of opposition to imperial rule. Finally, in recent years, Egypt has faced political upheaval and revolutionaries have again employed the image of Tutankhamun.
The Time of the Gods: Myths from Ancient Egypt (STUDY DAY)
With Dr Garry Shaw, Egyptologist and author
Tue 28 Oct, 10.30am‒4pm
An introduction to Egypt’s creation myths and a history of the reigns of these gods on earth. This study day will cover myths, both well-known and the more obscure, related to notable deities such as Re, Amun, Osiris, Horus and Isis.
Unwrapping Tutankhamun
With Dr Christina Riggs, Senior Lecturer, School of Art History and World Art Studies, University of East Anglia
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Tue 28 Oct, 2.30‒3.30pm
After three years of work in the tomb, Howard Carter and his team were ready to reveal the body of Tutankhamun. Using photographs and diaries from the excavation, this illustrated lecture follows Carter’s work in stages as they worked through the layers of wrappings around Tutankhamun’s body, and considers what else we can learn from the unwrapping of other materials in the tomb.
Fit for a Pharaoh: The Authorised Facsimile of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
With Adam Lowe, Director and Founder of Factum Arte
Gallery 21, Ashmolean Museum
Wed 29 Oct, from 6.30pm
The ticket price includes: a talk by Adam Lowe of Factum Arte; a tour of the Discovering Tutankhamun exhibition; and a drink at a special wine reception in the Ashmolean’s vaulted café.
Before Egypt’s recent political revolution, the tomb of Tutankhamun was viewed by up to 1,000 visitors per day. This had a dramatic effect on the tomb, which resulted in a deterioration of the structure of the walls. Using digital technology to record the tomb’s interior in unparalleled detail, Factum Arte produced a full-scale facsimile that can be visited at Luxor, thus relieving pressure on the actual tomb. Adam Lowe explains the process behind the production of the facsimile and explores current debates about the creation of replicas to preserve the world’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Japonism and the Impressionists
With Julian Heslewood, art historian
Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Thurs 30 Oct, 2–3pm
During the Renaissance, the new science of perspective allowed western artists to create art that depicted the world in a realistic way, showing perspective, depth and volume like never before. In the 19th century western artists discovered that Japanese print makers had used other techniques to depict the real world. Monet, Van Gogh and many others adapted these discoveries in to their own methods creating an unconventional and exciting visual experience.
Dress up to party like it’s 1922 and discover the decade’s fascination with Ancient Egypt at an evening of Jazz Age performances, workshops and talks.
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FREE ENTRY
7 – 10.30pm
Halloween night: Friday 31 October 2014
The Rooftop Bar and Vaulted Café will be serving drinks until 10.30pm.
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For programme news see:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1445682889032169/
or
http://www.ashmolean.org/livefriday
In Conversation: Sir Norman Rosenthal and Dr Georgina Paul
‘Joseph Beuys & Jörg Immendorff’ Exhibition Event
Wednesday 5 November, 11.30am–12.30pm
At the Ashmolean Museum
Join the curator of the exhibition, Sir Norman Rosenthal, as he discusses the social and political context of these two seminal German contemporary artists with Dr Georgina Paul, Associate Professor in German and Fellow at St. Hilda’s College, University of Oxford.
Entry is free and no booking is required.
Find out more about our ‘Joseph Beuys & Jörg Immendorff: Art Belongs To The People!’ at http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/details/?exh=92
Sherpa Adventure Gear presents the BMC Club Autumn Lecture series! The Oxford University Mountaineering Club will be hosting Neil Gresham and Kenton Cool to speak at the Oxford Maths Department (Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HD) on Wednesday the 5th of November at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm, there will be a raffle in the interval, with the final lecture finishing at 9:30pm. Tickets for this exciting event will cost £8, and can be purchased here or on the door.
Neil is one of Britain’s most well known all-round climbers and is one of the few climbers in the world to have climbed E10. He is also the UK’s most experienced climbing coach, and is the training columnist for Climber magazine and Rock & Ice magazine.
Kenton is the holder of the British record for most Mount Everest summits, recently completing the ‘Triple Crown’ of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse in three days. He is also a Piolet d’Or nominee for a route on Annapurna III and was the first British person to complete a ski descent of an 8,000m peak.
A public meeting with a short introductory talk followed by questions and discussion.
Theodor Adorno (1903–1969) and ‘pleasure hardening into boredom’
Thursday 6 November, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
The Mitre, corner of High St and Turl St (upstairs function room)
All welcome
Organised by Oxford Communist Corresponding Society.
The 35th Annual Barlow Lecture
Yongle to Zhengtong: Fifty Years that Changed Chinese Art?
With Professor Craig Clunas, University of Oxford
Friday 7 November , 5-6 pm, Ashmolean Lecture Theatre
Sir Alan Barlow (1881-1968) was a leading 20th-century collector of Chinese and other eastern ceramics. Deeply committed to public education, he left the collection as a trust to be used in universities and museums by the widest possible audience and it is now on loan in the Ashmolean museum, where pieces can be seen throughout the Chinese displays and in the Islamic gallery. This year’s lecture focuses on the British Museum’s autumn blockbuster show Ming: 50 Years that changed China and is delivered by the exhibition’s co- curator Craig Clunas.
Free, booking required. Contact:
T 01865 288001
E eastern.art@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
Department of Eastern Art,
Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford OX1 2PH
Childhood in a New Age:
Adults Look at Children, Children Look at Themselves in Russia, 1890‒1920
With Professor Catriona Kelly, University of Oxford
Saturday 8 November, 11am–12pm
At the Ashmolean Museum – Lecture Theatre
During the late 19th and 20th centuries, the Russian Empire underwent a period of hectic change at every level. This talk, based on the literature and visual arts of the period, as well as journalism, family history and the writings of children, explores how the massive changes of the era affected the Empire’s youngest citizens.
Tickets are £5/£4 concessions and booking is recommended as places are limited.
Visit http://www.ashmolean.org/events/Lectures/?id=132
Why Film Matters
Part of the Why Philosophy Matters Series
With Professor Stephen Mulhall, New College, Oxford University
Wednesday 12 November, 6‒7.30pm, Ashmolean Education Centre
Join esteemed scholars to talk about the hot topics in contemporary culture and philosophical thought. In partnership with Oxford Brookes University and sponsored by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.
Free, no booking required, seats allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Entry via St Giles’ Street, drinks from 5.45pm.