Restoration of Cathedra - Considering the Restoration of a Monochrome Painting
December 8, 2001
Organiser: Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Four years ago, on November 21 1997, Cathedra, a work by the American painter Barnett Newman, was badly damaged.* Using a sharp knife, a deranged visitor to the Stedelijk made five large slashes in the canvas, amounting to a total length of fifteen metres. The museum decided almost immediately to have Cathedra restored under the supervision of an international committee of independent experts.
On December 8 the public will be able to see the restored Cathedra for the first time. To mark the occasion the Stedelijk will host a symposium on the theme of Newman's painting and the major task of its restoration. In addition to the methodical, technical and organisational aspects of the operation, Newman's studio practice will be discussed, as will the significance of the monochrome in the history of abstract painting. December 8 is also the opening date of an exhibition of colourfield painting and monochrome canvases by Newman, Ryman, Kelly, Fontana and other artists represented in the museum's collection.
* Barnett Newman (1905-1970) painted Cathedra in 1951. The blue monochrome, measuring approximately 2.5 x 5.5 metres, was purchased for the museum in 1975 by the then director, Edy de Wilde. A Stedelijk Museum Cahier to be published at the beginning of December will focus on Newman's
work in the Stedelijk and the restoration of Cathedra.
Programme
Saturday December 8 2001
9.00 - 10.00 a.m.
arrival
10.00
Word of welcome from Rudi Fuchs, director of the museum
10.15
Jan van Adrichem
Introduction to the symposium
Van Adrichem is head of the Stedelijk Museum's research department. He is currently investigating the reception of neo-avant-garde art in the Netherlands in the 1960s and 1970s.
10.35
Ann Temkin
On Newman's work and his ideas about his painting of around 1950, the period in which he produced Cathedra
Temkin, curator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is preparing a major exhibition of Newman's work.
11.15
Carol Mancusi-Ungaro
On Newman's studio practice and technical aspects of his painting
Mancusi-Ungaro is a conservator at the Whitney Museum in New York and an expert in the field of modern art conservation.
12.00 - 13.30
Break for lunch and an opportunity to see Cathedra and view the exhibition.
13.30
Yve-Alain Bois
On the art-historical and theoretical aspects of Cathedra and monochrome painting
Bois is Professor of Art History at Harvard and currently preparing an oeuvre catalogue of Newman. His publications include Painting as Model (1990); he is the co-author (with Rosalind Krauss) of Formless - a user's guide (1997).
14.10
Alan Charlton
Monochrome painting discussed in the light of a contemporary artist's practice
Charlton is an artist living in Great Britain. Recent work by him was on show this summer in the Stedelijk's Gallery of Honour.
14.50
Tea-break
15.20
Irene Glanzer/Elisabeth Bracht/Louise Wijnberg
On the restoration of Cathedra
Bracht, Glanzer and Wijnberg are painting conservators at the Stedelijk Museum.
16.00
Thierry de Duve, 'Vox Ignis Vox Populi'
On public opposition to abstract painting and notably to Newman's work, illustrated by a case in Canada.
De Duve's publications include The Definitely Unfinished Marcel Duchamp (1991) and Kant after Duchamp (1996).
16.40 - 19.00
Closing remarks and reception
Registration and payment
Participants can register by filling in the form below and posting or faxing it to the Stedelijk Museum . You will receive confirmation on receipt of payment of the symposium fee of NLG 125,-. Students pay NLG 75,- but must produce evidence of student status on arrival. Coffee/tea, lunch, reception, admission to the museum and a copy of the Stedelijk Museum Bulletin are included.
Applications will be processed in order of arrival. Maximum capacity: 200.
For more information contact Frank Hermelijn: +31-(0)20 57 32 726 or f.hermelijn@stedelijk.nl
Name...........................................
Institution/student at*............................
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My payment* (tick box)
O NLG 125,- 0 NLG,- (student)
Please transfer the appropriate amount as soon as possible to account number 4500092; recipient: Dienst Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Amsterdam, reference: 'Cathedra'. You may also pay by credit card:
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Card issued by: VISA/Am.Express/Mastercard* (no other cards
accepted)
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exp. date Day:........ Month:....... Year:
Please fax this form to +31-20 57 32 789 or post it to: Postbus 75082,
1070 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Alternatively, e-mail your application and all requisite information to f.hermelijn@stedelijk.nl
Paulus Potterstraat 13
P.O. Box 75082, 1070 AB Amsterdam
phone 31-20 573 29 11 fax 675 27 18
www.stedelijk.nl