OLLI0118 - The Mind of the Maker: Why ART Is Not a Noun

Course Description

Although the course’s title might seem to suggest an academic or philosophical stance, in fact exactly the opposite is the case: the presentations will instead be more experiential—on the parts of both makers and partakers of ART. A subtitle for the series might be, “Searching for the internal animating energy in calligraphy, drawing, melody, and verse.” Examples will be presented from the calligraphic and graphic art of Michelangelo, Lippi, Cadmus, and Schiele, and original prints by Barton Brown, Leo Meissner, Türe Bengtz, and Bernard Buffet. One entire session will be devoted to Michelangelo’s wordplay with his name. Melodic lines by Bach, Brahms, and others will be considered, as will poems by Wyatt, Shakespeare, Housman, Milosz, and Olds. Finally, two of Smith’s own art song settings of Housman and Milosz will be studied, demonstrating how a melodic line can be “found” in verse and then a complete musical setting of it created. Recordings will be available to all registrants in order to serve those that prefer not to meet in person. We ask that all attending class in person are vaccinated. Watch video