Int r a
IN THE ABSTRACTION
Born in 1928 in New York City to a
prominent Jewish family, Helen
Frankenthaler, through five decades, has
made her mark as an abstract artist. In
an early series of paintings, she used a
revolutionary style of paint application,
thinning her oils to stain the canvas
rather than accumulate on its surface.
By age 24, the Bennington College-
educated Frankenthaler, who grew up
on the Upper East Side of Manhattan as
the daughter of a judge of the New York
State Supreme Court, had invented a
new movement: color field painting.
Her personal life has been equally
colorful — from studying with artist
Hans Hoffmann in Provincetown,
Mass., through a relationship with art
critic Clement Greenburg and a mar-
riage to painter Robert Motherwell,
whom she subsequently divorced.
Things come full circle at the
Robert Kidd Gallery's
current exhibition,
"Abstraction: New
Directions for a New
Millenium," which
runs at the gallery
through Jan. 22. A
Frankenthaler paint-
ing hangs between
works by Hoffmann
and Motherwell.
They are part of a
show that includes
40 artists and surveys
significant abstract
currents of the
groundbreaking 20th
century while looking forward to
new abstract directions in the 21st.
The works of well-known artists like
Josef Albers, Jules Olitski and
Stanley Boxer join the vision of
emerging stars like Caio Fonseca,
Stuart Shils and Michael Mazur.
The Robert Kidd Gallery is
located at 107 Townsend St., in
Birmingham. For more informa-
tion, call (248) 642-3909.
DIRECTOR'S TAKE
"I think the '90s Jewish woman
can identify with [heroine] Fanny
Price," said director Patricia Rozema
admission/$5.50 students SYNAGOGUE SOUNDS
in a recent interview about
and seniors/$4.75
her new film, Mansfield
"Glorious Jewish Music: From Rossi
Michigan Theater mem-
Park. Her adaptation of the
to
the
21st Century" is the theme of
bers/free for University
Jane Austen novel is receiv-
the
Schmier
Chapel Chamber Concert,
of Michigan students.
ing kudos for its recasting of
which
takes
place
3:30 p.m. Sunday,
The Michigan Theater is
Fanny as a more forthright,
Dec.
12,
at
Temple
Israel. The program
located at 603 E. Liberty
witty, morally decisive figure
will
highlight
synagogue
music from
in Ann Arbor. Call (734)
than appears on the written
the
16th
century
to
the
present
time,
668 8397.
page.
presenting
a
virtual
tour
of
the
musical
Mansfield Park is
Filmmaker/screenwriter
history of the Jewish people.
GAIL ZIMMERMAN
scheduled to open in the
Rozema demonstrates her
The concert features Cantor Lori
Arts & Entertainment
Detroit
area
at
the
Maple
sense and sensibility when
Editor
Corrsin
and the Zamir Chorale of
Art Theatre on Dec. 25.
it comes to adapting Jane
Metropolitan Detroit conducted by
Austen's work when she
Benjamin Cohen. Temple Israel's Shir
comes to the University of Michigan
Ami
Chorale also will participate in
STORY
next week to conduct a seminar with
the program, which is sponsored by
What do Tiddly Winks, Lincoln
Film and Video Studies' screenwriting
the Temple Israel Treasures.
Logs, Mr. Potato Head and the Six
students.
The concert is open to the commu-
Million Dollar man have in common?
In addition, a special Director's
nity at no charge. For more informa-
They're all classic American toys, and all
Preview Screening of Rozema's
tion and tickets, call Temple Israel at
are featured in a special exhibit, "Classic
Mansfield Park, open to the public,
(248) 661-5700.
Toys of the 20th Century," on display
will take place at Ann Arbor's
through Jan. 2 at Henry Ford Museum
Michigan Theater Tuesday, Dec. 14,
& Greenfield Village.
beginning at 7 p.m.
AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
"Play is an important
Following the screening,
The Sisterhood and
part of life," says Donna
Rozema will host a ques-
Brotherhood of Temple
Braden, exhibit curator.
tion-and-answer session
Beth El's Classic Film
"The toys children
with the audience.
Series continues 3 p.m.
played with throughout
Tickets for the screen-
Sunday, Dec. 12, with
the 20th century tell us
ing are available one
the presentation of
a great deal about par-
hour before show time.
Woody Allen's Annie
ents, children and the
Tickets are $7 general
Hall. The 1977 comedy
role of playthings in
won Academy Awards
child rearing. Toys are
Left:: Helen Frankenthaler:
for Best Picture, Best
also a barometer for
"Untitled" 1994, acrylic on
Director, Best
lawn grass paper.
popular culture — the
Screenplay and Best
Frankenthaler is represented
fads and media crazes
Actress
(Diane Keaton).
among 40 abstract artists
that captivated both
Based
on Allen's life
Classic
toys
are
on
display
displaying their work at the
parents and children
and
relationship
with
at
Henry
Ford
Museum
•
Robert Kidd Gallery.
during this century.
Keaton, the film is a
Greenfield
Village.
"Some toys have
hilariously funny take
Below: "Mansfield Park" director
become so pervasive in
on
American
culture,
the entertain-
Patricia Rozema visits Ann Arbor.
our culture, that children today, their
ment
industry,
psychotherapy
and
parents and grandparents all played
Allen's
Jewish
identity
growing
up in
with versions of them — these are
the quintessential lovable, but crazy,
classic toys."
Jewish family.
Some of the toys on exhibit visitors
Discussion following the film will
are sure to remember fondly include
be
led by Ira Konigsberg, professor
the Play-Store Cash Register (1930),
of
film
and English at the University
the Duncan Yo-Yo (1940), Davy
of
Michigan
and former director of
Crockett Coonskin Cap (1955), Easy-
the
Program
in
Film and Video
Bake Oven (1964), Slinky (1975) and
Studies
at
U-M.
Cabbage Patch Kid (1982-1985).
The screening is open to the com-
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield
munity
at no charge. Reservations are
Village is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The
not
necessary.
Refreshments will be
new IMAX Theatre will be open on
available
at
the
Brotherhood conces-
Christmas Day. For more information
(248)
851-9212.
sion
stand.
and ticket prices, call (313) 271 1620.
-
To
-
to have considered for Out & About, please send the item, with a detailed description of the event, times, dates, place, ticket prices and publishable phone number,
FYI: For Arts and Entertainment related events that you wish
before
Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034; fax us at (248) 354-6069; or e-mail to gzimmermangthejewishnews.com Notice must be received at least three weeks
to: Gail Zimmerman, JN Out & About, The Jewish News, 27676
the scheduled event. Photos are appreciated but cannot be returned. All events and dates listed in the Out & About column are subject to change.
12/10
1999
74