The Arts Blog Weekender has traditionally been a compilation of upcoming weekend events one can attend in the local arts community. During the COVID-19 shutdowns, the UC Davis Arts Blog will compile each week a Virtual Weekender, still bringing readers the best in regional art. This weekender is dedicated to UC Davis venues. Enjoy these things to do while quarantined.
And in the midst of all this, UC Davis graduate arts programs just leaped in their rankings in U.S. News and World Report. Read about that here.
Compiled by UC Davis Media Relations Intern Leigh Houck
The Mondavi Center offers concerts
At the Mondavi Center, the shows must go on — virtually. Due to coronavirus, the Mondavi Center has moved several upcoming performances online.
Starting this Friday, with Vladimir Feltsman, they will create a virtual concert experience at the time the concerts would have taken place. The Mondavi team has been working with artists to send in some of their favorite videos, some of which are rare. Find that here.
Pianist Lara Downes had been slated to perform at the Mondavi Center this May. This performance has been canceled. Instead, take in her online concert this Friday, April 3, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The concert will be a livestreamed release of her newest album “Some of These Days” and will raise funds for Feeding America. Click here for more information.
The Mondavi Center states: “We know we can’t replace the magic of the live experience, but maybe if we sit down and share some music, it will take the edge off until we can get back into the Mondavi Center together for the 20–21 season.”
The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art displays content online
At the Manetti Shrem, museum employees have created a newsletter Manetti Shrem Museum at Home. The newsletter is a weekly roundup that keeps readers updated on all things art.
This week they invite you to join Annabeth Rosen, world renowned artist and UC Davis professor, in her studio and learn about her love of materials. Also featured in the newsletter, Art History Assistant Professor Alexandra Sofroniew, in the video below, reveals her favorite element of the periodic table. Make sure to subscribe to the Manetti Shrem Museum at Home here so you don’t miss out. Here is a link to the actual newsletter.
The next newsletter is centered around Stephen Kaltenbach and Conceptual art, including an exclusive essay from Lawrence Rinder about “Portrait of My Father” from the forthcoming exhibition catalog.
- Regular features include:
- Long Reads: Articles and essays that offer opportunities to expand knowledge about UC Davis and Manetti Shrem-related art and artists
- Art Moments: Light touches that provide a taste of UC Davis and Manetti Shrem-related art and artists
- Art Making: Multi-generational activities offering quality art-making and art-based conversation experiences for people of all ages
- Art Links: A roundup of content and experiences from other institutions offering opportunities for constituents to expand their universe even as they are sheltered at home.
UC Davis Music Department — listen to past concerts
You may have been too busy to catch some of the past concerts offered by UC Davis Department of Music. Don't worry. While live UC Davis Music performances and lectures are canceled, you can enjoy past performances from the comfort of your own home via the via the UC Davis Music YouTube Channel. The UC Davis Music Department tapes nearly all the concerts it presents. These range from masterworks by classical composers to performances by the department’s gamelan and Hindustani vocal group to many concerts of brand new music. Recent concerts include Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 by the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra in March and the ZOFO piano duo premiering new pieces by doctoral composition candidates in February.
Design Museum: the next best thing to being there
While the physical museum is closed to visitors, look for an upcoming video and “Lunchable” to get a taste of the Design Museum’s current exhibition Appreciation and Adaptation: Homage to Global Textiles.
But for now, view several of the Design Museum's past exhibitions through videos or read some past arts blogs, or both. Watch a video about an exhibit on Japanese textiles here.
View another past exhibit, Weaving and Woodwork: A Scandinavian Design Partnership, here.
Complement your viewing with a good read. Scandinavian furniture arts blog story is here, and if you prefer clothing design to furniture design, or both, click here for an overview of last year's Shape Up: Case Studies in Fashion Making exhibit.
More information on campus arts-related closures.