For Immediate Release
For Immediate Release
Leslie Weddell
(719) 389-6038
Leslie.Weddell@ColoradoCollege.edu
Jessica Hunter Larsen
(719) 352-1586
Jessica.Larsen@ColoradoCollege.edu
Colorado Springs, Colo. – October 27, 2009 – The InterDisciplinary Experimental Arts (I.D.E.A.) program at Colorado College announces the opening of “Sugar, Sugar,”a free exhibition that explores the art, science and history of sugar. The exhibition runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 21 in The I.D.E.A. Space, located in the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave.
Virtually unknown in Europe until the Middle Ages, sugar quickly became ubiquitous in western diets. Influencing agricultural practices, global economies, dietary habits and language, sugar holds a central place in western culture. Featuring historical photographs of the sugar beet industry in Colorado, microscopic enlargements of sugar molecules, and literary and artistic responses in a variety of media, “Sugar, Sugar”explores the power of the sweet stuff from a variety of perspectives. Featured visual artists include Julia M. Becker, Greg Block, Karen Kunc, Kate Leonard, Tracy Linder, Christina Marsh and Meredith Nickie; writers include Jane Hilberry, Jessy Randall and Dave Mason.
To explore further the chemistry, history and artistic inspiration of sugar, I.D.E.A. will host a series of four “Sugar Salons” that will feature performances, conversations in the gallery with artists and faculty, demonstrations and (of course) sugary snacks. Rather than present lectures or “talking head” artist talks, the Salons are designed to be both educational and interactive. All of the Salons are free and open to the public.
Sugar Salon #1: Performing Sugar
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 4:30, I.D.E.A. Space,
6 p.m., music performance of “Rare Sugar,” Edith Kinney Gaylord South Theater
The first Sugar Salon will features chemistry experiments “performed” by Colorado College Chemistry Professor Ted Lindeman. Featured artists will speak about their work and how the structure and properties of sugar inspired them. Additionally, at 6 p.m., I.D.E.A. and the CC music department will present a performance of “Rare Sugar,”a clarinet concertino in a single movement by Australian composer Nigel Westlake. Westlake was inspired to create the piece after watching a television program about a chemist who works on rare forms of sugar. Performers for “Rare Sugar” are Susan Grace (piano), Bil Jackson (clarinet), Yumi Hwang-Williams (violin), Allegra Wermuth (violin), Claude Sim (viola), Judith McIntyre (cello) and Susan Cahill (bass). The evening also will include a performance of Bela Bartok’s “Contrasts” for violin, clarinet and piano. The performance is free and open to the public, courtesy of the Colorado College Cultural Attractions Fund.
Sugar Salon #2: Producing Sugar
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m., I.D.E.A. Space
The second Sugar Salon focuses on the historical and contemporary impact of the sugar industry, both regionally and internationally. Featured artist and former sugar beet farmer Tracy Linder and Colorado College faculty will use the exhibition as a springboard for an informal discussion of the local and international economic, social and political impact of producing sugar.
Sugar Salon #3: Sugar Inspirations
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 4:30 p.m., I.D.E.A. Space
The third Sugar Saloncelebrates sugar-inspired art and literature. Students will give a demonstration of sugar-lift printing and poets Jane Hilberry, Jessy Randall and Dave Mason will read sugar-inspired poetry. To acknowledge the importance of sugar to the holiday season, the event will also feature a sugarplum tasting and an appearance by the Sugar Plum fairy.
Sugar Salon #4: Sugar Rush
Thursday, Jan. 21, 4:30 p.m., I.D.E.A. Space
The final Sugar Salonwill feature sugar sculptures and a demonstration of sculpting techniques by James Gallo, executive pastry chef at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. Chemistry faculty members will offer commentary on the chemistry behind Gallo’s manipulation of sugar as a raw material and discuss the biochemical transformation of sugar into energy. At the conclusion of the event, participants will help artist Julia M. Becker ritually destroy a sugar mandala created during the last three days of the exhibition.
“Sugar, Sugar”is supported by the Robert & Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust and the Colorado College Cultural Attractions Fund.
About Colorado College
Colorado College is a nationally prominent, four-year liberal arts college that was founded in Colorado Springs in 1874. The college operates on the innovative Block Plan, in which its 1,975 undergraduate students study one course at a time in intensive 3½-week blocks. The college also offers a master of arts in teaching degree. For more information, visit www.ColoradoCollege.edu . For more information about the InterDisciplinary Experimental Arts program at Colorado College, visit www.theIDEAspace.com. For directions or disability accommodation at the event, members of the public may call (719) 389-6607.