Azerbaijani folk art based on Nizami’s novel. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The Hatcher Graduate library is currently featuring manuscripts from their Islamic Manuscripts collection, which pertains to a Persian love story written by Nizami Ganjavi. These manuscripts, written in the 9th century, focus on a woman named Layla and a man named Qays Ibn al-Mulawwah (who later was nicknamed Majnun) and their virgin love. This ancient tale has been adopted, rewritten, and altered many times, from Sufi writers to Indians to European writers. Visit this exhibit before it ends, in order to view original manuscripts of a beloved story in the world of literature.
Details
When: Now until February 22nd
Time: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Location: Hatcher Graduate Library, 7th Floor Exhibit Space
The Ann Arbor District Library hosted local artist and University of Michigan alum David Zinn for his workshop—Drawing from Your Imagination with David Zinn—on January 5th in order to share his artistic techniques with those who attended. Although Zinn is well-known for his chalk and charcoal works on city streets and buildings, this artist used the Thursday afternoon to delve into the creative thought process of his artwork.
The workshop took place in the library’s multi-purpose room, located in the basement. I arrived five minutes past one and found myself in a room bustling with locals both young and old, all enthusiastic to hear from the artist. After they found their seats and chatter hummed down to faint whispers, Zinn introduced himself to us through light jokes and references. His words were accompanied by a slideshow of his latest street art pieces, which were certainly entertaining to look at.
One of the works that Zinn featured in his slideshow. Photo courtesy of Demilked
Zinn’s introduction eventually transitioned to demonstrations of his creative thought process. The artist first explained to his audience how blank canvases were intimidating to him, as ideas for art were limitless and therefore overwhelming. Having a canvas with a mark, however, gave Zinn a starting point for his ideas, even if that canvas happened to be a sidewalk with a line of grass. Zinn then elaborated this point by having attendees engage in drawing exercises where everyone would make a scribble, swap papers with someone else, and see what they could draw from that scribble. After everyone saw the products of this exercise, Zinn facilitated another drawing exercise where one person would draw on a folded sheet of paper and another person would complete the drawing on the other side. By viewing art that was created from canvases with a mark, everyone, including me, had a better understanding of where Zinn was coming from.
One of the drawings made from the second exercise of the workshop. The top half was drawn by me, while the bottom half was drawn by another attendee
The workshop ended ten minutes after two, with applause from attendees. I was content with what I learned from the workshop, and am considering on attending future workshops by Zinn in the Ann Arbor District Library.
If you happened to miss out on this opportunity with a local artist, be sure to check the AADL website to see when the next David Zinn workshop will be!
A local to Ann Arbor and University of Michigan alum, David Zinn will be holding a workshop at the Ann Arbor District Library this Thursday, the 5th of January. Zinn has been making his mark on the city with artwork through murals, business logos, posters, and cartoons, but he is well known for the chalk art he makes on the streets and sidewalks of Ann Arbor, Manhattan, and other locations. In recent years, Zinn has recieved global attention from outlets such as Facebook and the Huffington Post. This local artist is now sharing some of his artistic experience through the workshop, Drawing from Your Imagination with David Zinn, where he will be demonstrating illustration techniques with color pencils. Take the opportunity to meet and learn from David Zinn this week, one of Ann Arbor’s local artists!
Details
When: Thursday, January 5th
Time: 1:00 -2:00PM
Location: Ann Arbor District Library, Multi-Purpose Room
Workshop is intended for kids grade six to adults, free admission.
A Tibetan book cover featuring carvings of three divine figures and intricate decal, coated in gold-colored paint. Photo courtesy of the Crow Collection website
I had never thought of book covers as anything besides dusty, worn out blankets that hugged pages of a story together, but the special exhibit at the UMMA proved me wrong. Being the first ever exhibit in the United States to showcase Tibetan book covers, Protecting Wisdom: Tibetan Book Covers from the MacLean Collection, this collection is currently on display until April 2 of 2017, and so I took the opportunity to visit.
Expecting to see 8 x 11 cardboard covers encased in cloth or leather, I was greeted by wooden covers that measured two feet wide and about a foot tall; 33 or so of these were either situated on the gallery walls or in showcases. As I made my way through the gallery, I took in the intricacies of these Tibetan treasures: multiple gods were carved into these covers along with dragons, peacocks, floral decals, and so on. Paint in hues of gold, red, and green embellished the slabs of wood. Some of the detailing was so intricate that the cover was designed by several people.
Photo courtesy of the Crow Collection websitePhoto courtesy of the Crow Collection website
The elaborate nature of these book covers is understood through its purpose. For Tibetan Buddhists, books are a divine presence where the Buddha lives and reveals himself, and so to honor him, detailed book covers were frequently commissioned. Tibetan book cover design has a history of more than a thousand years, and so these covers date back from anywhere in the 11th century to the 18th century. A gem of the exhibit is a wonderfully carved and painted book cover from the early 1290s.
I left the exhibit with a newfound respect for the art of designing book covers, especially the Tibetan book covers created by Buddhists. This exhibit is currently on display until the 2nd of April from 8:00am to 5:00pm from Tuesdays through Sundays, so please come out to view this gallery!
The King’s Singers take their final bow after a marvelous performance.
The sounds of the winter season rang out in the arches of Hill Auditorium last night as The King’s Singers presented a concert full of holiday favorites. The virtuosity and versatility of the group was made apparent by the several stunning arrangements that they shared with a crowded Hill auditorium audience.
The first half of the concert highlighted the group’s abilities as a classical vocal ensemble. They sang familiar traditional carols, including works in Latin and French, demonstrating their mastery over the affective vocal style that is characteristic of singing sacred music and madrigals. The second half lightened the mood as the group sang more contemporary favorites, such as Winter Wonderland and Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride (which they cleverly turned into a samba halfway through). Familiar favorites came to life in a slew of sparkling arrangements that showcased the group’s ability to nail complex harmonies and rhythms.
Between every group of related songs, one of the members would speak briefly about the pieces of music they were about to sing. The program was also interspersed with Christmas-related readings, from Ogden Nash’s humorous The boy who laughed at Santa Claus to a touching diary entry from an unknown soldier dating back to December 24, 1914. This gave the evening a more personal and intimate touch.
The group had an astounding blend. Although there are only two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones, and one bass in the group, they formed such tight harmonies that they created an overall sound that was often as powerful as a church choir. The resonance of their voices ringing out at the end of every piece warmed the soul, in spite of the snowfall happening just outside the building.
The King’s Singers closed the evening with an encore in honor of 30-year UMS President Ken Fischer, who first brought the group to Ann Arbor in the 1980s. This tied up an equally fun and inspiring evening of music with a beautiful bow.
Photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts
Have you ever wondered what life was like for Peter Pan before he actually was Peter Pan? How the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell, and Neverland came to be? How Captain Hook lost his hand? Your questions are bound to be answered in the tale of Peter and the Starcatcher; directed by Gillian Eaton, assistant directed by Martin McGuire, and musically directed by Brian E. Buckner, James Fischer, and Riley Palmer.
Jeffrey James Fox as Black Stache (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)
This lighthearted show swept the audience off their feet and into the adventure-filled life of Molly (Kourtney Bell), a young girl who is on a secret mission with her father (David Newman) to destroy what is called “starstuff”. On Molly’s ship, The Never Land, she comes across three orphans, one of which is unnamed (Brooks Inciardi), and immediately befriends them. Pirates, island natives, a crocodile, and mayhem are all prevelant throughout the journey. The story of Peter Pan magically unfolds before your eyes in this easy-to-love show.
Kourtney Bell as Molly and Brooks Inciardi as Boy (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)
Shows run in the Power Center on December 8 @ 7:30pm, December 9 & 10 @ 8:00pm, and December 11 @ 2:00pm. Reserved seating is $22 and $28, and students $12 with an ID.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.music.umich.edu/performances_events/productions/2016-2017/starcatcher.htm
