CENTENNIAL ART EXHIBIT AND LECTURE TO TAKE COMMUNITY 'BEYOND GENOCIDE'
Targeted News Service
September 7, 2011 Wednesday 6:53 AM EST
Wilfrid Laurier University issued the following news release:
Human rights will be in the spotlight from Sept. 19 to 23 when
Wilfrid Laurier University and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary host
an exhibit, lecture and workshops by U.S.-based artist Amy Fagin
featuring the impact of genocide and mass human rights violations on
various cultures.
The exclusive exhibit is part of Laurier's centennial celebrations, and
will feature 13 of Fagin's illuminated manuscripts from her emerging
"Beyond Genocide" series. Illuminated manuscripts are manuscripts
that have been supplemented with additional artwork such as colourful
imagery and symbols. The artist will also lead the lecture "Beyond
Genocide: Illuminating Mass Atrocity" Sept. 21 in the seminary's
Keffer Chapel.
"I think it's important to have a visual and literary representation
of genocide and massive human rights violations," said Rhoda
Howard-Hassmann, the Canada Research Chair in International Human
Rights and a professor in Laurier's Department of Global Studies and
the Balsillie School of International Affairs. "It shows respect for
the culture of the people who have suffered, and for all the cultural
losses to the world."
Howard-Hassmann is co-sponsoring this event with the Office of Research
Services and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.
"Churches have learned from over 60 years of documenting and defending
human rights that it takes politicians, activists, academics, and
business leaders but equally musicians, poets, and artists to maintain
our collective vigilance," said David Pfrimmer, principal dean of
the seminary. "We are fortunate to have Amy's work here as a painful
visual reminder that such vigilance is demanded now more than ever."
Rather than illustrating the acts of violence, each piece in the
series is crafted as a visual narrative "illuminating" the impact of
genocide and mass annihilation on a specific culture or country.
Countries featured in the exhibit include Afghanistan, Armenia,
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Indonesia, Iraq and Namibia. The Holocaust as well as the
Crusades and Inquisition are also featured in the illuminations.
Fagin's artwork will be on display in the seminary from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. from Sept. 19 to 23. Her lecture takes place on Sept. 21 from
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Keffer Chapel. In addition, the global
song Inshallah choir will be rehearsing songs from the countries
represented in Fagin's work Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. in the chapel. All
events are free and open to the public.
Fagin is also willing to conduct free tours of her exhibit or
present her work to groups or classes. Please contact Wendy Webb at
[email protected] for more details.
For more information about the artist, please visit
www.20thcenturyilluminations.com.
Contact: Kevin Crowley, Director, Communications & Public Affairs,
519/884-0710 ext. 3070, [email protected]
Targeted News Service
September 7, 2011 Wednesday 6:53 AM EST
Wilfrid Laurier University issued the following news release:
Human rights will be in the spotlight from Sept. 19 to 23 when
Wilfrid Laurier University and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary host
an exhibit, lecture and workshops by U.S.-based artist Amy Fagin
featuring the impact of genocide and mass human rights violations on
various cultures.
The exclusive exhibit is part of Laurier's centennial celebrations, and
will feature 13 of Fagin's illuminated manuscripts from her emerging
"Beyond Genocide" series. Illuminated manuscripts are manuscripts
that have been supplemented with additional artwork such as colourful
imagery and symbols. The artist will also lead the lecture "Beyond
Genocide: Illuminating Mass Atrocity" Sept. 21 in the seminary's
Keffer Chapel.
"I think it's important to have a visual and literary representation
of genocide and massive human rights violations," said Rhoda
Howard-Hassmann, the Canada Research Chair in International Human
Rights and a professor in Laurier's Department of Global Studies and
the Balsillie School of International Affairs. "It shows respect for
the culture of the people who have suffered, and for all the cultural
losses to the world."
Howard-Hassmann is co-sponsoring this event with the Office of Research
Services and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.
"Churches have learned from over 60 years of documenting and defending
human rights that it takes politicians, activists, academics, and
business leaders but equally musicians, poets, and artists to maintain
our collective vigilance," said David Pfrimmer, principal dean of
the seminary. "We are fortunate to have Amy's work here as a painful
visual reminder that such vigilance is demanded now more than ever."
Rather than illustrating the acts of violence, each piece in the
series is crafted as a visual narrative "illuminating" the impact of
genocide and mass annihilation on a specific culture or country.
Countries featured in the exhibit include Afghanistan, Armenia,
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Indonesia, Iraq and Namibia. The Holocaust as well as the
Crusades and Inquisition are also featured in the illuminations.
Fagin's artwork will be on display in the seminary from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. from Sept. 19 to 23. Her lecture takes place on Sept. 21 from
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Keffer Chapel. In addition, the global
song Inshallah choir will be rehearsing songs from the countries
represented in Fagin's work Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. in the chapel. All
events are free and open to the public.
Fagin is also willing to conduct free tours of her exhibit or
present her work to groups or classes. Please contact Wendy Webb at
[email protected] for more details.
For more information about the artist, please visit
www.20thcenturyilluminations.com.
Contact: Kevin Crowley, Director, Communications & Public Affairs,
519/884-0710 ext. 3070, [email protected]