Happy Birthday, Nasher.
All of us at recess have to give it to you-you've given us a lot to write about. Although the balloons and streamers don't officially come out until Oct. 2, tonight's gala marks the anniversary of a similar party that took place last fall, the first time the museum opened its doors to Duke students. Since then, the doors have barely had a chance to close.
Kim Rorschach, Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans director of the Nasher Museum of Art, was one of the museum's very first success stories. Rorschach has put an enormous amount of work into the museum, vowing to increase awareness of contemporary and modern art. During the museum's first 11 months, more than 90,000 people have come through its doors-representing 50 states and 16 countries. Although the museum only has one year under it's belt, the Nasher team has already learned valuable lessons.
Though she is thrilled with the successes of the museum, Rorschach admits that it has taken museum staff some time to learn to use the new spaces most effectively. Different factors must be taken into account for each medium of art displayed, such as video which necessitates blocking out light from the doorways, and it often takes time to get it right, she said.
Another one of their biggest problems has been showing too much art. "We wanted to show as many works as possible," Rorschach said, "but there were too many in some of the early exhibits. There definitely is a learning curve."
While any museum's first year is one of tentative discovery and learning, it would be an understatement to say the Nasher has had a good first year. Take a walk down memory lane as recess recalls the highlights of the year. As for the Nasher-well, it turns out you can have your cupcake at the cafe and eat it too.
Sept. 21: Nasher Noir
From 9 p.m. to midnight, the museum will host Nasher Noir, a black-and-white-themed party. Nasher only hosts a party once a semester and it is worth attending.
"The Nasher party is going to be incredible," said Emily Rotberg, president of the Nasher Student Advisory Board and a Chronicle staff member. "Past events at the museum have been some of the most rewarding experiences during my time at Duke."
Instead of hiring a disc jockey for the evening, the Nasher board opted for live jazz, featuring the music of well-known campus group the Pulsar Triyo.
"We'll have student bands, free food and drinks, a great theme and of course world-class art in an incredible setting," Rotberg said. "There's no excuse for missing it."
With free drinks for seniors from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., there really is no reason to not go.
What's To Come:
Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China
Rorschach has her eyes on the future, anxiously anticipating the opening of Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China Oct. 26.
The exhibit will display more than 100 works of video and photography by more than 60 artists.
"The exhibit has great work from a country that's becoming so important in the world," Rorschach said. "The artists are energized by the social and economic changes taking place and this is reflected in individual and fascinating ways in their work."
The Past:
Sept. 29, 2005:
The Nasher opens its doors to nearly 2,000 students. Rorschach remembers the pre-opening party fondly.
"There are so many great memories from the year, but my favorite was the opening event for students," she said. "There were so many of them and there was such a great response. They really enjoyed looking at the art and partying. It was very rewarding."
March 4 - July 16, 2006:
Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art
Eight TV crews show up to cover last spring's opening of Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art. The exhibit displayed art from the personal collection of Duke basketball legend Grant Hill.
Forty-six paintings, collages and sculptures selected from Hill's 15 years of art collecting comprised the show, which began touring the country in 2003. The art was displayed in five other cities before making its final stop at the Nasher.
March 4 - July 16, 2006:
Conjuring Bearden
The exhibit highlighted not only the work of world-class artist Romare Bearden, but also showcased student involvement in the arts. Four Duke students worked closely with Richard Powell, professor of Art, Art History and Visual Studies to research Bearden's life and works and to curate the show.
Emily Rotberg, president of the Nasher Student Advisory Board and a Chronicle staff member, said the Bearden exhibit was the most exciting part of her work with the museum.
"It was a collaboration between student curators and Professor Powell and when I got to the auditorium for the opening it was so packed that I didn't have a place to sit," she said. "It just made me smile."
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