Our 2011-2012 Discovery Days

17
November
2011

Modern English Silver

Ian Pickford

Time: Format: Study day - 10.30 - 3.30

Synopsis:

Mr. Pickford lectured on 20th and 21st Century Domestic and Ecclesiastical silver. As a freeman of the Goldsmiths' Company, an adviser to the V&A, the National Trust and the Art Fund as well as being a key member of the Antiques Road Show, there is no one better than Mr. Pickford to talk on this fascinating subject.

Members were invited to bring a piece of modern silver with them and Mr. Pickford will talk about as many as he has time for.

Venue: Venue: Exeter Golf & Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE

Organised by: South West Area Event

Cost:


30
March
2012

The Arts of Japan and Europe, Fascinating Parallels & Contrasts throughout History

Marie-Therese Barrett, M.A.

Time: Study day - 10.30 - 3.30

Synopsis:

A survey of Japanese arts and crafts, from the earliest pottery in the world to prints that revolutionised modern aesthetics, which offered unexpected parallels with European arts of the same periods but, above all, it revealed fascinating contrasts: wood and paper vs. stone architecture, diverging vs. converging perspective, ink vs. oil, 2-D decorative painting vs. 3-D realism, bath-house scenes vs. academic Venuses .....

The day included digital presentations with a wealth of comparative images, a display of Japanese objects (and of Members’ treasures) and addressed the influence of society, environment and materials on Japan’s unique artistic responses in relation to our visual culture. 

Session 1:        Prehistoric Early Art in Japan and Europe - 7th Centuries AD: Architecture and Sculpture

Earliest pottery in the world developed in the remote Japanese islands vs. cave painting in Europe.  Stone circles in both Japan and Britain.  Haloes found around images of both the Buddha and Christ.  Use of wood in Japanese architecture and sculpture vs. stone in Europe.  Different calligraphic cultures.

Session 2:        11th to 16th Centuries: Architecture, manuscripts, landscape paintings and gardens

Japanese temples and Romanesque churches built in 11th century for fear of the end of the world.  Illustrated hand scrolls vs. illuminated vellum manuscripts.  Stylised landscapes in ink vs. Renaissance scientific perspectives.  Zen gardens vs. Elizabethan formal designs.

Session 3:        17th to 19th centuries: Architecture, decorative arts and crafts, golden screens and popular prints, textiles and ceramics, East meets West

Imperial villa in wood and paper contemporary with Versailles.  Decorative vs. realistic approaches to painting.  Beauties in pleasure quarters vs. classical nudes.  Urban tastes and popular art in crafts and print. 
Late 19th century, East meets West in Europe and Japonisme revolutionised Western Art

Venue: Maritime Museum Cornwall Lecture Theatre, Falmouth

Organised by: The Arts Society Falmouth

Cost:


19
April
2012

The Golden Age of British Glass

Charles Hajdamach

Time:

Synopsis:

Charles writes that in the 19th century British glassmakers created a kaleidoscope of shapes, colours and decorative techniques which far outstripped any other country for the sheer genius of their technical virtuosity and aesthetic sensibility. One lect

Venue:

Organised by: South West Area Event

Cost: