In the early 1600s, Lady Macbeth washed her hands on stage for the very first time. Painter Giovanni Baglione was locked in fierce artistic dispute with his former teacher Caravaggio. A group of English men and boys began a settlement along Virginia's James River. Artistically, culturally and politically, the early 17th century (ca. 1600-1625) was a transformative period; it was a moment of change.
By Karen Zitomer
A painting was the inspiration behind a multidisciplinary initiative.
Focusing on transformative periods is at the heart of a new initiative from the Institute for the Arts and Humanities, an institute co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Architecture and the College of the Liberal Arts. Each yearlong project under the initiative, “Moments of Change,” consists of a series of interdisciplinary events aimed at engaging an audience of scholars, artists, students and community members. The inaugural topic planned for the 2007–08 academic year is “The Early 17th Century and the Roots of Modernity (ca. 1600–1625).”
“‘Moments of Change’ is an innovative and far-reaching new initiative that provides a multifaceted view of some of the most fascinating and dynamic periods in world history,” said Dr. Marica Tacconi, executive director of the Institute for the Arts and Humanities.
Tacconi said she started planning the initiative last year, after learning that Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art would be receiving the gift of a major painting, “St. Sebastian Healed by an Angel,” by Giovanni Baglione, dated circa 1603 (from Penn State alumna Mary Jane Harris). “The museum asked whether the Institute for the Arts and Humanities could help shed light on the art and culture of that period,” Tacconi explained.
That request began a process that has resulted in a well-rounded schedule stressing significant events of the time.
Actors From the London Stage will help shed some light on the early 17th century.
Art, Music and More
A highlight of this year’s project is a weeklong residency of Actors From the London Stage. One of the oldest, established touring Shakespeare theatre companies in the world, Actors From the London Stage is composed of the finest Shakespearean actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The group will be on Penn State’s University Park campus the last week of October; it is their third visit in the last 10 years.
While at Penn State, the actors will guest teach, perform “Macbeth,” hold special performances for high school students and do readings at The Village at Penn State and Foxdale Village. The actors will also participate in a Common Ground Lobby Talk—a live production of Penn State Public Broadcasting, a unit of Outreach, in partnership with WPSU’s Public Service Media Study Group, designed to engage the audience. The talk will be broadcast on WPSU and available online at http://www.wpsu.org/lobbytalks/.
The many other events include lectures by guest scholars on Roman art surrounding the unveiling of “St. Sebastian Healed by an Angel”; a graduate research symposium focusing on early 17th century topics; and music performances.
For example, in association with the Center for the Performing Arts and the School of Music, Apollo’s Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, will be in residency in November. Surrounding their visit and performance, there will be baroque music recitals by faculty and students, as well as lectures and workshops.
“Together with a number of partners and co-sponsors, ‘Moments of Change’ will offer something unique—the chance to gain remarkable perspective on some of the most influential moments in history,” said Tacconi. For more information, contact the Institute for the Arts
and Humanities (814-865-0495;
arts-humanities@psu.edu).