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Travel Abroad

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER?

Study abroad - scotland

May 15 – June 3, 2008

Cara_RingsBrodgar.jpg In a collaboration with Southern Illinois University/Carbondale, Watkins College of Art, Design & Film offered a short-term study abroad photography class to Scotland. Using Hospitalfield House in Arbroath as a home base, WCAD students intermingled with SIUC students and faculty as we explored the geographic diversity of Scotland through mini-bus trips to the Highlands, the Glens, agricultural areas and villages. This work is a culmination of WCAD student experience to various areas such as a 13th century castle in Dunnottar, a day hike up Glen Clova, Edinburgh, small village ports, a pictish tour, and a three-day excursion to the Orkney Islands. The experience introduced students to the rich traditions and history of the Celtic people as well as other streams of Scottish history. Their travels and experience provided an opportunity to interacted with local residents and students from SIUC.

A separate exhibition is planned to include SIUC student work as well as WCAD work later in this semester. We are planning to offer this opportunity again in May, 2009 and it is open to students in all departments.

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Joy McKenzie, Professor

Department of Photography

  

  

  

  

  

Below is the daily journal of last years trip abroad

Barcelona 2007

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Barcelona

We will meet in the lobby of our hotel at 12:30 to have our introductory meeting. The Contemporary Museum is our first destination and is close to our home in the Gothic Quarter. Designed by Richard Meier, the building, like the collection is impressive in it’s own right. Meier managed to manipulate sunlight into a museum setting that offers natural interior lighting, a rarity in museums. Within this naturally lit environment we will view works by Klee, Miro, Tapies, and many others. We will stroll the gothic quarter with a short visit to the Barcelona Cathedral on our way to the Picasso Museum. Here, will gather a better understanding of his development as an artist while viewing his many stages and styles in chronological order. The rest of the day is free. You may want to consider strolling down Las Rambles before meeting this evening for tapas and a traditional Spanish meal.

Day 2 Barcelona

Visiting the Sagrada Familia and the Gothic quarter, we will explore Barcelona by bike! Other highlights include, but are not limited to: Mies van der Rohe’s Pavilion on the site of the 1929 International Exhibition; Santiago Calatrava’s Bac de Roda sculptural suspension bridge, Ricardo Bofill’s new Teatro Nacional, a monumental theater complex opened in late 1997; Frank Gehry’s contribution to Barcelona; the Olympic harbor where Gehry, SOM and many Barcelona architects are represented. After our bike tour, we will end the day at the beach with a light meal and our feet in the sand.

Day 3 Bilbao

A short flight away, Basque country is waiting to greet us. Bilbao is the home of Frank Gehry’s architectural feat, the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum. Worth visiting just to view the architecture, the museum also houses one of the great collections of the latter half of the 20th century, including Motherwell, DeKooning, Yves Klein, Warhol, Tapies, Clifford Still, Picasso, and Rauschenberg. We will be sure not to miss The Guggenheim Blibao’s two famous pets; Louise Bourgeois’ monumental “Mama”, a towering thirty foot bronze spider and Jeff Koons forty three foot tall horticultural and sculptural wonder, “Puppy”. In addition, we will take a walk across Santiago Calatrava’s dramatic pedestrian bridge “Zubizuro” over the Nervion River. Here we will have the opportunity to view Gehry’s architectural feat from a distance. We will eat in the Restaurant Guggenheim Bilbao where the chef, Bixenta Arrieta is known for his Basque cuisine. We will fly back to Barcelona this evening.

Day 4 Barcelona

This morning we will have a guest lecturer who will highlight many of the architectural wonders throughout Barcelona; The L’Eixample area, full of examples of moderniste architecture, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Casa Milla. We would not want to miss the view of the city and coast from Parc Guell, Gaudi’s unfinished park filled with undulating forms and mosaic decoration. We will end the day at the Antoni Tapies Museum. Because of the extensive collection, we are able to view his works ranging in media, from painting, sculpture, drawing, assemblage, and ceramics. You won’t want to miss the gigantic sculpture made from metal, wire, and tubing, The Cloud and Chair is housed on the top of the building. Tonight we dine together discussing the events of the day.

Day 5 Barcelona

We will begin our day by heading for the mountain park of Montjuic where we will find the Joan Miro Museum. We will admire some of the 10,000 works that are collected at the Fundacio’ Joan Miro’. Taking advantage of our spectacular views, we will enjoy Montjuic’s gardens, fountains, and eat lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants. After lunch, you may also want to check out The Olympic Sports Complex on Montjuic, which includes the Olympic Stadium and the Sant Jordi Sports Pavilion by architect Arata Isozaki, the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, or the Montjuic Castle, where you will find the highest scenic panorama of Barcelona. Enjoy your time on the mountain before boarding the Teleferic ride which gently transports you from the mountain to the beach, all while enjoying incredible views of the Mediterranean sea. The last day in Barcelona, the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to do as you like.

Day 6 Venice

This morning we will fly to Venezia! After we check into our hotel, we will enjoy a half day tour including riding the vaporetti ( boat transportation) and how to get around this maze like city. We will end the day at the Guggenheim of Venice. The Collezione Peggy Guggenheim is housed in an unfinished palazzo, the former Venetian home of Peggy Guggenheim. After working up an appetite, we will dine together at a local trattoria where we will be served typical Venetian fare.

Day 7 Venice

This morning we will head for the Biennale. We will view contemporary art all day. At 1:00 we will break for lunch while we reenergize for more art viewing. This evening we will attend an art event, lecture, film, or other cultural event associated with the Biennale.

Day 8 Venice

Returning to the Venice Biennale, we will take in as much as possible, breaking for lunch and while visiting with one of the Biennale’s artists. The afternoon is free to do as you wish. Stay at the Biennale or wander the streets and canals of Venice. This evening we will have a pre dinner meeting, discussing the day’s events and listening to a presentation.

Day 9 Venice

The Venice Biennale is closed. This morning we will have a guest lecturer of Venetian History who will take us on an art and architectural tour of Venice. Among some of the places we will view are: San Marco and the Doge’s Palace; Plague Churches: San Maria della Salute & San Sebastiano; Palladio: San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore. We will end at the Galleria dell’Accademia where you will find a remarkable collection of paintings spanning the 13th to the 18th centuries. The Venetian school is known for color and more color. Take in works form Giorgione, Veronese, Titian, and Tintoretto. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. Discover Venice, take a side trip to the Lido, or to the Isle of Murano to check out artisans and glassblowers. The evening is free.

Day 10 Venice

This will be our last day at the Venice Biennale. Today focus on finding the “small venues” scattered all over Venice. Half the fun is in finding them! This evening we will take in an art event, lecture, film, or other cultural event and have a farewell dinner together.