(C) Photo CNAC/MNAM, Dist. RMNPhoto credits: Georges Meguerditchian, Jacques Faujour, Phillipe Migeat, Adam Rzepka.
Brancusi and his Friends, Lovers, Dealers and Collectors presentation by art historian Sanda Miller
'In 2001 the remainder of the Brancusi archives (La Dation Brancusi 2001) in the collection of the family of Alexandre Istrati and Natalia Dumitresco were donated to CNAC (Centre National d'Art et de Culture) Georges Pompidou, Paris. Two years later, an exhibition entitled La Dation Brancusi (dessins et archives) opened at Centre Pompidou accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue researched and compiled by Marielle Tabart and Doina Lemny. Until that date the bulk of Brancusi's private correspondence was unknown to Brancusi scholars. The importance of this event cannot be over emphad because it throws light on the secretive personality of Brancusi. This 'treasure trove' enabled me also to write a new book on Brancusi to be published by Reaktion Books in their prestigious series Critical Lives (February 2010). My talk about Brancusi is a celebration (critical analysis?) of Brancusi's life'. Dr Sanda Miller - Art historian, Senior Lecturer of Fashion, Art, Society at the Southampton Solent University.
With an introduction by Tate curator Matthew Gale, who in 2004 organised the first major exhibition in the UK dedicated to Brancusi's works at the Tate Modern, in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Maiastra, Please Sing! performance by British artist duo boyleANDshaw featuring artists Line Ellegaard, Adam James, Malin Ståhl and musician Frank Biddulph
Inspired by the figure of Constantin Brancusi, the young British artist duo boyleANDshaw present a new site-specific experimental theatre work that places the artist in an imaginary and surreal setting. The performance will be improvised around an experimental text / script that started life as an email exchange between boyleANDshaw and the artist David Shrigley.
Maiastra, Please Sing! is an elaborate fictional work with a surreal dreamlike quality which begins with the figure of Brancusi in an imaginary museum setting. The narrative then follows the characters / attendants into a fairground with imagery in part inspired by Brancusi's legendary march to Paris. London based artists Line Ellegaard, Adam James and Malin Ståhl will take on the roles of the attendees in the play. Drawing on traditional Romanian folk music, violinist Frank Biddulph will provide a live improvised soundtrack to accompany the performance.
Maiastra, Please Sing! is produced and written by boyleANDshaw, with the curatorial assistance of Elea Himmelsbach with production support form Helen Smith.
When: Tuesday 5 May 2009, 7 - 9 pm
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH
Admission: free. Please write to office@icr-london.co.uk or phone 020 7752 0134 to reserve a seat.
