PERFORMING ARTS:
ALLIANCES OF STUDIO AND STAGE IN BRITAIN, 1776-1812
September 10 - 11, 1999
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California 91108
This international conference traces links between the artist's studio and the theatrical stage in Britain during the Georgian era. In addition to examining specific instances of creative borrowing and collaboration, the conference also explores themes of mutual concern to artistic and theatrical practitioners such as costume, gesture, publicity, and aesthetic theory; issues of gender and class; the construction of identity and the promotion of celebrity.
Held in conjunction with two exhibitions focusing on the legendary tragic actress Sarah Siddons, the conference illuminates the broader cultural context of Siddons's aesthetic and professional achievements. Notwithstanding the overshadowing presence of Siddons and the Kemble family on the one hand, and Reynolds and Lawrence on the other, the conference aims to shed new light on less documented figures who proliferated beyond the margins of high culture.
In keeping with its interdisciplinary theme, the conference aims to foster communication and collaboration among scholars representing diverse academic disciplines and methodological approaches. The speakers include: Jonathan Bate, Kalman Burnim, Frederick Burwick, Nancy Hazelton, Heather MacPherson, Gill Perry, Martin Postle, Aileen Ribeiro, Joseph Roach, Cheryl Wanko, Shearer West, and Michael Wilson.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Huntington and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (London).
For further information, email cpowell@huntington.org, or call (626) 405-2194