Modern Languages Department Update

Making ModernismKunst auf Deutsch

The German Department took the Sixth Form Germanists to see the ‘Making Modernism’ Exhibition at the Royal Academy, London on the afternoon of Thursday 19 January.

Making Modernism was the first major UK exhibition devoted to the pioneering women working in Germany in the early 1900s. There were many works from Paula Modersohn-Becker, Käthe Kollwitz, Gabriele Münter and Marianne Werefkin, alongside some lesser known female German artists. This was a wonderful chance to see so many works of these artists in one place, comparing styles and influences. Alongside the bold use of colour in Modersohn-Becker’s paintings, we were left with the haunting images of pain and suffering within Kollwitz’s lithographs.

Students were able to reflect upon what we had learnt in their A level and IB courses about the artistic movements in German-speaking countries. The visit was rounded off with the obligatory nod to the German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen in the RA cafe.

Review: La Maison Hantée performed by the Onatti Company

All pupils studying French in Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 had the opportunity to watch an interactive comedy called, ‘La Maison Hantée’, performed in French by the Onatti Company at the Senior School. A big thank you to the two actors but also to our pupils for their enthusiastic participation!

A Year 10 student said: “The Onatti Company did a great job of creating a funny and exciting performance for us of ‘La Maison Hantée’. They used clear expressive French to ensure that all years from 8-10 could both understand it, and find the performance enjoyable as they outlined a fun story in which characters Clara and Zoé discovered a criminal in a haunted house.”

A Year 8 student said: “Recently, the Onatti Theatre Company came to visit us and perform their production, ‘La Maison Hantée’. It was a very funny play, and I enjoyed how they invited members of the audience to participate. They spoke very clearly and it was very well written for an audience with developing language skills.”