Beckman sees world as a nightmare
Abstract art stimulating
by Sharon Derrough What is this world really like? To us perhaps it is a fine comfortable place, or at worst a place where the good things of life to a great extent negate the nastiness that only exists elsewhere. To “Max Beckmann and the German Expressionists” its a horrible nightmare that screams through their work with a pain that gives the viewer, on first seeing their work, a sensation of revulsion. The oils are dark and discoloured; even the sun can’t penetrate far in these stormy scenes. “Landscape” by Kirchner for all its fierce ball of sun is still a shadow world. SchmidtRottluff’s “Landscape” seems with its violent explosions of colour to have escaped this effect but it too displays that feeling of cold somberness common to all these works. Where there should be (we think) affection and warmth there is, again., a sensation of agonizing loneliness.
Abstract art, generally speaking, meets with all sorts of receptions, nevertheless, most students do regard modern artists as crafty devils that mean to perpetrate vicious crimes against good sense. One sees infuriated students sputtering in front of modern art, like intimidated robots about to blow a fuse; either this is happening, or a sculpture is being savagely hacksawed from its base “It’s knowing what to do with things that counts.” This situation is neither funny, nor auspicious. I admit, that upon seeing a certain collection of abstract art for the first time one can be seized with a sudden urge to snicker. This is because ruinous publicity has taken its toll, and because abstract art may appear to be remote from one’s interests, or because the artist has handled his material ineffectively, therbey making the observer of the work of art harder than the work itself. It is no good for the connoisseur to point out the virtues of a work; he may say, “It has motion.” The repelled observer will only reply, “I wish it would get up and run away.” It is futile to translate into words what is untranslateable. One must push one’s friends into a car and carry them off to an exhibit. For an aesthetic experience to come true, something must happen between the work of art and the observer. That is not to say that the observer must fall in love with it; but let him lower the drawbridge from his castle of bias, and saunter out.
“Mother and Child” look like lost, bewildered victims of a terrible catastrophe. “The Couple” are a couple in composition only, not in feeling. Even “The Lovers” seem distorted and hopeless. The grimmest part of the exhibition is undoubtably Beckmann’s etchings. In their harsh, angular, scribbly little lines they bear the most disturbing viewpoint of all. The confused jumble of contorted forms and agonized stupid, leering faces in the “Lunatic Asylum” typify perfectly the whole series. The same savage nightmare quality is also visible in “Yawning.” I certainly don’t think anyone could enjoy seeing this exhibition, but perhaps we should jolt ourselves out of our comfortable little world, out into the cruel, violent, dementia of these artists, and perhaps, to make us wonder if the insanity of these little horrors comes only from the painters or from the world they painted.
Grads to form society R. Van Veldhuisen Some graduate students, through dissatisfaction, are making an attempt to organize a society in which they can carry out their common interests. The emphasis, however, is placed on power. At a recent graduate student meeting, the majority of speakers discussed the control of such a society or who is to hold the purse strings. Very little debate took place discussing the basic purpose of a graduate organization and that is PROGRAM. During the past eight years, a mechanism has been established to organize and produce a program for all students of the University. The program expresses three basic interests namely; Self-government, social activities and publication. Although this complex organization is still young in many ways and makes many mistakes, the Federation of
Abrahamson wins chess tournament A highly successful Semi-Speed Chess Tournament was held at the U of W Thursday through five gruelling rounds; the tension being heightened at times by severe time limits. After four rounds, Abrahamson, a U of W Engineering grad student was leading Moynham of WLU 4-3% with the final game between them. Abrahamson needed a win or a draw to take first place while Moynham needed a win. The game was a ding-dong battle but Moynham got into time trouble, made tactical errors and lost. Thus Abrahamson took the first prize trophy with an unblemished 5-O record. R. Koskela, J. Edgecombe and T. Aun, all U of W science students vaulted into second place with 4-1 records. However, on the basis of their opponents strength Koskela was awarded the second prize trophy, Edgecombe, third place; and Aun fourth place. Moynham had to settle for a disappointing fifth place standing. Much credit for the success of this tournament must go to Mr. Koenig of the WLU Physic dept. for being Tournament Umpire and to the organizers, Gord Moynham of WLU and Charlie Chapman of the U of W.
8
The CORYPHAEUS
Students has proven that it is able to perform its basic function:To produce a program for the entire University community. Not only for the students but for the faculty and staff as well. The existing program will continue to blossom on our campus as time and experience is gained. Those few students who are attempting to organize should take a careful look at the existing structure. A graduate society should and can take advantage of the present numerous facilities and organizations of the federation. A power struggle among students will only dissatisfy and discourage those who are not involved. The only way a graduate society will function successfully is by producing an attractive program appealing to all students. We are one student body. Let’s remain united and work for a common goal.
Social Workers to form club? by Carl Cuneo Do we have another new club sprouting on campus? The number of students who packed into a little seminar room at St. Jerome’s on Oct. 6 made social work look like a popular profession. Because of the interest, an organizational meeting will be held Wednesday in room 111 at St. Jerome’s, Highlight of the Oct. 6 meeting was an illuminating talk on social work by Miss Arlette Pederson, MSW, assistant to the president of WLU. Miss Pederson outlined the BA requirements for graduate social work. She went on to speak of the actual work in the two years required to receive a master of social work degree. Miss Pederson commented on the great variety in social work psychiatric, court, community and probation work and children’s aid. Miss Pederson is involved in organizing the new graduate school of social work at WLU, to open June 1966. The organizational meeting Wednesday will elect an executive and program committee to plan discussions and speakers on the various fields of social work. Nominations will be welcomed from anyone at the meeting.
by Dick Boettger
Circle K holds concert and bash for homecoming There will be a Blood Donor Clinic on October 28, and Circle K is holding the advance registration this week. Your Blood is needed, so please sign for a time if possible:‘or go to the Math and Physics study room on the 28th. It only takes a short time and there will be free refreshments. Saturday, as a service to the University, Circle K painted the Federation Building. The payment will be donated to Minota Hagey Memorial Fund. For Homecoming, we are holding through the K-W Musicians Trust Fund a free Jazz Concert. Let this round out your weekend. In addition we will have another car bash as part of Homecoming Weekend. As those of you who tried it last year will know destroying a car is a great way to relieve your mid-term frustrations. For the small price of 25 cents you too can take two swings with a sledge hammer at a car, painted in appropriate (WUC)) colors. In keeping with the saying “good things are worth looking for”, the car will again be hidden between the Math and Physics and Engineering Buildings, out towards the parking lot. First find it; then beat it.
A view of a few of the abstract oil-paintings
I
gallery
by Dick Boettger A turn-of-the-century coachhouse remains only a rats den until someone with imagination comes its way. With unusual initiative and diligence, two of our university personnel, Yvonne Stanton and Helga Petz, have transformed just such a building into a unique art gallery complete with gas lighting. Preparations for its opening last Friday started early in the summer, and involved work ranging from the installment of new stands for sculpture, to the writing out of hundreds of invitations. The Gaslight Gallery( as they have christened it) functions both as an exhibit-place and also as a market. In addition to this, Yvonne and Helga are gifted in their amiable chatter with artists, interested buyers, and casual visitors alike, the gallery should be an excellent stimulus to cultural development in this area. The first display has an enormous variety, and it is continually being added to. It includes impressionistic and abstract oil paintings, water colors, washes, etchings (representationsculpture, miniature al), modern sculpture, and stone carvings. Some of the artists are internationally renowned. Also represented are several
crafts; there are copper bowls, wallplaques, and pendants with beautiful encaustic painting, silver earrings, tieclips and bracelets, weavings, and ceramic products. I noticed that one of the less expensive ornaments had a price as low as $4. Both Yvonne, a native of London, England, and Helga, a native of Austria, came to Canada 14 years ago. They both have worked the last two years in Annex 1, Yvonne as secretary for the Coryphaeus, and Helga as secretary for Student Council. I have it on good authority that many of the student operations in Annex 1 would not have been nearly as much fun without their energetic and jocular presence. Admission to the gallery is free, and its hours are from 2 to 5 p.m., from 7 to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It is located at 379 Queen St. S., and can be approached through either of two long driveways leading, one from Queen St., and the other from Courtland Ave. (My advice to the reader who drives there at night is that he take the gravel driveway off Courtland; this is the third driveway on the far side of Queen, and coming from Queen, the reader will find it on his right.)
Helga Petz (centre) and guests on opening night