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Join us on Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m. for the lecture "Fresco: a modern perspective" by Staten Island Museum Art Curator Robert Bunkin
Despite fresco painting's popularity–Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling being the supreme example–many people, including artists and art historians, don't really understand the technique of fresco.
Although the term has become almost synonymous with "mural," it actually refers to a very specific technique, known in Italian as buon fresco (true fresco), which is painted into damp, freshly laid lime plaster. The chemical components of fresco bind the color to the wall permanently, and are inseparable from its surface.
Mr. Bunkin will attempt to demystify this process, using simple demonstrations, and illustrate his talk with lesser-known frescoes from remote parts of Italy, such as Andrea Delitio's fresco cycle based on the Legende Aurea (Golden Legends) in the Duomo of Atri in Abruzzi, and the Triumph of Death by an unknown late Gothic painter in Palermo. One of the great frescoes, Triumph of Death was conserved by the legendary Leonetto Tintori, in whose Laboratorio per Affresco Bunkin studied. Bunkin will also discuss strappo and stacco, the two traditional techniques perfected by Tintori in which frescoes are removed in order to conserve them.
Robert Bunkin taught art history for over 20 years at Parsons School of Design, and taught drawing and painting at Wagner College, the Art Students League, The New School and Borough of Manhattan Community College. In 2010 he conducted the first fresco painting workshop at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. He has led many fresco workshops in Massachusetts, and painted fresco murals and installations at Snug Harbor, PS 18, and Wagner College on Staten Island. He worked as educator and exhibition coordinator at the Staten Island Children's Museum and in the Education Department of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Among many exhibitions he has curated are "Fresco: A Contemporary Perspective" at the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art in Snug Harbor, "About Faces: Portraits Past and Present" for the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor and "Charged Brushes" at The Painting Center in New York.
Admission of $10, $5 for members includes a light reception.
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IN OUR GALLERY
"EYE ON VENICE: THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE" BY MIMI ALOIA
Mimi Aloia is both a visual artist and poet/author of books, essays and journals. This current exhibit began during her 1983 summer session in Venice, Italy as part of New York University Master's Studio Art Program.
"The underlying and original works of the digital photos presented are mixed media collages, made in my studio at the Institute of Architecture in Venice, Italy in the summer of 1983. Last year I updated these collages by incorporating cut pieces of photos I had taken in Venice during that same time. I built these pieces into the original collages to add additional structure and color to the compositions. I then decided to digitally photograph these completed works.This exhibit is the result of this three-step process accomplishing these mixed media digital collage photos which were ultimately enlarged."
Ms. Aloia taught acrylic painting and poetry and creative writing classes at the United Federation of Teachers in Staten Island for 15 years, retiring in 2009. She also instructed classes in oil painting for 15 years at an Adult Continuing Education program at Susan Wagner High School. She has published and illustrated two books of poetry, and is currently working on an autobiographical book that includes poems and prose, drawings and photo collage. She has exhibited her works and read her poems at numerous venues throughout Staten Island and Palm Beach, Florida She is a member of the Staten Island Poetry Society, Poets of the Palm Beaches and the National League of American Pen Women.
"Eye on Venice: the Sacred and the Profane" may be viewed during regular museum hours, with paid museum admission, until Saturday, July 13, 2013
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The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America.
The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.
Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; The Staten Island Foundation; The Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.
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