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EXHIBITIONS
Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass
May 23 – August 15
Lino Tagliapietra is widely revered as the maestro of glassblowing, an inspiring teacher and the elder statesman linking the glass centers of Venice, Italy and the Pacific Northwest.
Tagliapietra’s artistic imagery and vision continue to influence Studio Glass artists around the world. Among the well-known artists that he has had a great influence on is Dale Chihuly. In 1979, Tagliapietra came to Pilchuck Glass School, the school that Chihuly began. Tagliapietra unhesitatingly shared his expertise with Dale Chihuly as well as other artists worldwide, universally elevating the art and craft of glassmaking and changing the course of contemporary glass.
This exhibition is the first comprehensive retrospective of Tagliapietra’s art and career. It represents not only the pivotal and renowned series of artistic work, but also designs made for industry and private objects that have never been exhibited. It includes 165 objects acquired from the artist’s own collection and collections around the world.
Selections in the exhibition range from large works and major installations, to smaller works such as goblets and small vessels. Also included in the exhibition are several collaborations with other artists like Dan Dailey and Marina Angelin.
Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art
May 23 – August 15
Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art celebrates Louis Comfort Tiffany’s revolutionary contributions to modern decorative lighting. Organized by the Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass in New York City, this exhibition presents the first in-depth look at the Tiffany Studios’ deliberate efforts to produce lamps that balance artistry with utility and profitability. Over 40 stunning objects in an array of colors, sizes and decorative styles are featured in five sections exploring the themes of fabrication, design inspiration, and changing lighting technologies. The show also includes tools, materials and period photographs to enhance the viewer’s appreciation of the objects by demonstrating how they were made and what influenced the designs.
Tiffany’s lamps are an innovative and successful combination of usefulness and beauty. As articles of utility, reading lamps, floor lamps, and hanging shades come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes to regulate and direct light. As objects of art, the lamps, with their interplay of colored glass and richly sculpted bronze, bring beauty into the home. Whether understated minimal accents of color, or showy, elaborate design statements, Tiffany lamps compliment a diversity of decorative schemes. This exhibition goes beyond the general appreciation of the beauty of Tiffany lamps by examining the artistry and social context of these iconic objects. By creating lamps as objects of both utility and art, Louis Comfort Tiffany realized his goal of making beautiful objects accessible to the public.
Japanese Woodblock Prints
May 15 – July 25
Japanese woodblock prints influenced the paintings and prints of the French Impressionists. These delicate images reflect the pleasure-seeking culture of Japan; depicting beautiful women, Kabuki actors, and landscapes peopled with characters from everyday life. Since the mid to late 19th century, printmakers have looked to Japanese prints for their unique use of composition, color, and perspective.
Among the earliest gifts to the FIA’s collection, the Japanese prints are rarely on view because of the damage that can occur when the delicate colors are exposed to light. This exhibition will illustrate the important and influential genre of the most skilled woodblock printers. Included will be works by masters such as Hiroshige, Kunisada and Kuniyoshi.
Recent Acquisitions to the FIA’s Permanent Collection
July 31 – September 26
The FIA’s permanent collection has over 3,000 works on paper and continues to grow through generous gifts and by purchasing works to fill gaps in the collection. Over the past three years, the FIA has acquired many works on paper from which this exhibition was created.
FOMA Film Series
Screenings
Fri & Sat @ 7:30p
Sun @ 2:00p
except where indicated
Donations
$5 Members
$6 Non-members
$4 FOMA members
May 14, 15, 16
The White Ribbon
(Germany, 2009) Directed by Michael Haneke, 144 min., subtitled, rated R
From the director of the art-house hit “Cache” comes a mystery about strange events occurring in a German village shortly before the outbreak of World War I. Nominated for the 2009 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award.
May 21, 23
Mary & Max
(Australia, 2009) Directed by Adam Elliott, 92 min., not rated
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Toni Collette and Eric Bana provide the main voices in a “claymation”-animated tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals that lasts for 20 years and spans two continents.
2nd Annual Arabic Film Series
The American Arab Heritage Council and the Flint Institute of Arts present films concerning Arabic people, culture, and issues. Also part of the partnership is a stand-up comedy event.
May 16
7:00p Comedy, Arabic-style
Michigan-based stand-up comic Amer Zahr presents a live show in the FIA Theater. Arwa Alsamarae will present slam poetry.
June 4, 5
7:30p Amreeka
(U.S./Canada, 2009) 96 min.
An immigrant single mother and her teenage son cope with a difficult life in small-town Illinois.
June 6
2:00p Driving to Zigzigland
(U.S., 2006) 92 min.
This comedy chronicles a day in the life of a Palestinian cab driver in Los Angeles.
The Party: Tagliapietra & Tiffany
Saturday, May 22
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
A one-of-a-kind celebration with live entertainment and a strolling dinner
The FIA will kick-off its second summer of glass with The Party.
Guests will be treated to an exclusive viewing of two new exhibitions: Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass and Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art. The Party will also celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Flint Institute of Arts Persian Chandelier created by Dale Chihuly.
The Party will feature a strolling dinner, cocktails, live entertainment, two glass sculpture raffles and a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Lino Tagliapietra, the maestro of glassblowing.
Funds raised support FIA exhibitions, installations and programs relating to glass.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call 810.234.1695 or visit flintarts.org.
Admission is $100.00 per person.
(50% tax deductible)
News & Programs
“Chemicals & Colors – the Artist’s Studio”
Lecture by Lino Tagliapietra
Sunday, May 23 • 4p
FIA Theater
To kick off the public opening of the exhibition Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass, the artist will give an illustrated presentation on a special behind the scenes view of his lab, studio, techniques and inspirations.
43rd Annual Flint Art Fair
Saturday, June 12 • 10a–6p
Sunday, June 13 • 11a–5p
Shop, eat, and be entertained at one of the community’s premier events attracting thousands of people each year. More than 150 artists will offer works ranging from sculpture, ceramics, and glass, to painting, photography, textiles, fine jewelry, and wood. Listen to local music by some of the area’s best musicians, and stop by one of the many food vendors to enjoy a meal or a snack.
$5 Adults
$4 FIA members
$3 Ages 13–18, senior citizens, & Friends of Modern Art members
Free Children 12 & under
FOMA Free Music Night
Saturday, June 12 • 6p–10p
Join us in the beer tent for an evening of live music by popular local musicians.
Free admission
3rd Annual Beer Tasting Event
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Save the date for an outdoor celebration on the FIA grounds featuring import and craft beers. Enjoy this Fall festivity with beer, food, and live music. Look for your invitation in August!
Art à la Carte
Art à la Carte is a series of informative programs focusing on the arts. It is offered free of charge on Wednesdays at 12:15p. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch or pick-up something from the FIA Café. Coffee, tea and cookies are provided. All films are shown in the FIA’s Isabel Hall.
May 12
The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance: Fra Angelico
The Italian painter and Dominican monk is known for his frescoes in the Convent of San Marco in Florence.
43 min.
May 19
The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance: Caravaggio
Caravaggio declared early in his career that he rejected the Renaissance search for the ideal and that he would study no teacher except nature. 43 min.
May 26
The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance: Giotto
The Italian painter and architect is significant for his original vision of
the natural world and his ability to portray it. 43 min.
June 2
The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance: Van Dyck
Although he was born and trained in Belgium, Van Dyck became the leading court painter in England where he was a dominant influence in portrait painting. He was also an important innovator in watercolor and etching.
43 min.
June 9
Mona Lisa Revealed
Breakthrough high-resolution photography reveals for the first time that Leonardo may actually have painted the Mona Lisa with eyebrows and lashes—just one of 25 fascinating secrets this documentary reveals.
50 min.
June 16
David Hockney’s Secret Knowledge
Hockney visits Florence, Bruges, and Ghent, examining dozens of paintings by such masters as Jan van Eyck, Vermeer, Holbein, Caravaggio, and Velazquez. In a specially designed Hollywood set he demonstrates his findings and replicates the lost techniques of the Old Masters.
73 min.
June 23
A Model for Matisse
A rich portrait of the creation of Matisse’s masterpiece: The Chapel of the Rosary in Vence. The film presents Matisse’s never-before filmed hand-painted gouaches and fabrics.
67 min.
June 30
Rothko’s Rooms
This program chronicles Mark Rothko’s life and the development of his work. His softly defined, rectangular clouds of color stacked symmetrically on top of one another were intended to evoke the most elemental emotions. 60 min.
Summer Class Highlights – For a complete FIA Art School Schedule, call 237-7315 or download it at flintarts.org.
The Art of Yoga
June 9 – July 28 • 8a–9a
Expand your creative energy by strengthening your body and centering your mind. Focusing on breathing and body alignment will deepen sleep, reduce pain, improve muscle tone and heighten energy. All ability levels welcome.
Lois Sharp-Schneider, Instructor
WED (8 weeks)
Full Session: $60 Members, $72 Non-Members
Single Sessions: $10 Members, $12 Non-Members
Drawing From the Collection
June 10 – July 29 • 9:30a–12:30p
Gain an intimate understanding of FIA masterworks as you sketch and draw from the collection. Learn the intricacies of composition, light and shadow, and destinctive mark making. Students will also make rich color studies with colored pencils.
Matthew Osmon, Instructor
THU (8 weeks)
$114 Members, $140 Non-Members
Super Sunprint Photographs
June 15 – July 6 • 12p–1:30p
Explore your interest in science and art! Create unique blue and white photos using the sun and water. Arrange fun objects on photosensitive paper and develop prints. No camera required!
Courtney Simpson, Instructor
TUE (4 weeks)
$47 Members, $57 Non-Members
Summer Camp
Campers will learn the fundamentals of drawing, painting, sculpting, theater, and more! Ages 5–8 and 9–12 will share space and enjoy time separately while engaging their minds and bodies in creativity and productive summer play.
Enroll separately for each week. Drop off times begin at 8:30a. Each Friday, friends and families will gather at 4:00p for a Bishop Gallery performance/exhibition reception.
$150 Members
$183 Non-Members
Pop Art Puppets
July 12–16 • 9a–4:30p
Make funky food art with Pop Art printmaking techniques. Practice acting techniques and create skits with personalized hand puppets and your own Mr. Potato Head Pop Art clay characters.
Fantasy Camp
July 19–23 • 9a–4:30p
Start with a clay project, then explore the fantastic worlds of heraldry, knights, fairies, unicorns and mixed media dragons. Read folklore tails and draw and paint your family coat of arms.
Island Adventure
July 26–30 • 9a–4:30p
Make brightly painted tropical birds and flowers from the Caribbean, Japan, and Australia. Look at Aboriginal art and create authentic patterns and textures! Create musical instruments for the Friday Bishop Gallery luau!
Family Event
Genesee County Fair
August 16–22
Mon–Thu & Sun • 12p–5p
Fri & Sat • 12p–7p
Come make a variety of funky watercolor flowers with the FIA Art School staff using bright summer colors to create Mexican tissue paper flowers. Also, make a paper flower bouquet and a string flower garland to wear.
Art Sales & Rental Gallery
May/June Featured Artist
Artist Reception
Sunday May 7, 2010 1p–3p
Artisans of Wood
The Art Sales and Rental Gallery’s two-month exhibition of turned-wood objects showcases work created by top wood artisans from Southeastern Michigan. Dating back to the ancient Egyptians, the turned-wood forms embody a provocative combination of the natural and the man-made. The pieces on display range from extreme simplicity to spontaneous sequences of pattern, shapes and texture. They exhibit the feeling of a special blend of the organic and the industrial as interpreted within contemporary society.
