The Daily Union - February 10, 2008 ~ Gail Parsons

As we continue to explore modern art and try to understand this genre, we’ll talk a little about cubism. A 20th century art movement, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque are credited as the fathers of the movement. In cubist art, it appears as though the artist has taken an object apart and put it back together in an abstract form.
The subject is painted or drawn from several viewpoints, all intermingled on a single plane. The style rejects traditional techniques of perspective.
Cubism falls into the categories of either analytic cubism or synthetic cubism, both highly influential in the art world in the early 1900’s.
Analytical Cubism was developed between 1908 and 1912. Analytic cubists reduced the natural forms into basic geometric parts. The concentration of the picture was on the forms and shapes, thus making color almost non-existent. When color was used it was generally a monochromatic scheme that often included grey, blue and ochre.
Synthetic Cubism branched off analytical cubism, and gained popularity from around 1912 to 1919. Opposite of analytical cubism which appeared to pull subjects apart, synthetic cubism has the appearance of several objects being pushed together.
Synthetic cubism also opened the concept of mixed media to artists and showed the effectiveness of using more than one medium in one piece. It was the first that incorporated paper products such as newspaper and sheet music in the painting. There are some indications that the use of collage in fine art may have been part of a game and friendly competition between the two artists who brought cubism to the mainstream.
What’s up at the JCAC
Our calendar is pretty full and we are offering a variety of events to suet a variety of interests.
On March 10, we are hosting the Kansas State University Orchestra for a 7:30 p.m. concert at the First Presbyterian Church. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted to help the Orchestra cover its costs for a European Tour.
A few days later the JCAC will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance. We are moving the event back to the Municipal Building. Dinner will be served about 6 p.m. followed by a concert, a dance demonstration and a community dance.
Dancers from Lincoln, Neb. and the Celtic group Rowan from Lawrence will provide a full evening of entertainment. Coach’s will cater the event as they did the first year to rave reviews by those who attended. Tickets are $20 for dinner and entertainment; $10 without dinner.
Junction City Little Theater
JCLT proudly presents the musical comedy Meshugga-Nuns. Test your Yiddish/Latin/English skills as you listen and participate to songs sung by 5 talented ladies portraying Catholic Nuns and one young man portraying a Jewish actor.
Meshuggah-Nuns is a continuation of the trials and tribulations of the Little Sisters of Hoboken that we first met in Nunsense. This musical finds the sisters on an all-expense paid trip on the “Faiths of All Nations” Cruise. When the on-board entertainment cast of Fiddler on the Roof gets seasick, the ship’s captain asks the sisters to put on a show. The result: Hilarity reigns supreme on the high sea. Meshuggah-Nuns is an ecumenical funfest. This is a show for anyone who loves a good laugh!
Meshuggah-Nuns will be presented February 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and February 17 at 2 p.m. Coupons may be used for any show time, but reservations are encouraged. Please bring the coupon to the box office 30 minutes before show time to get your tickets.