700 years after his death, Dante Alighieri is still provoking debate and creativity, as we discovered at a thought-provoking and convivial evening last month led by the Italian department to showcase a series of newly commissioned artworks inspired by the medieval poet. The event was open to all-comers, so there was a myriad of ages and backgrounds from the student and local community who came together for a harmonious evening of culture, conversation, and Chianti!
We were treated to no less than six speakers from universities all over the country. First up was our very own Dr. Peter Dent who kick-started the evening with an absorbing talk on ‘Dante in Clifton’, exploring the life of 19th century Bristolian, John Addington Symmonds, whose archive is held in the university's special collection. Dr. David Bowe of University College Cork then delivered an intriguing commentary on the late Rachel Owen’s unorthodox, yet brilliant, illustrations for Dante’s Inferno. Bowe offered an informative guide through Owen’s avant-garde take on visualising the complex, and often nightmarish, scenes that Inferno presents.
Next was Dr. John McDowall, Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies professor at the University of Leeds, who introduced a new collection of artworks influenced by the great man, ‘Dante: libri nuovi'’. Four of the artists then described the challenges they faced in their creative processes. Ian Bottle revealed that listening to the epic poem read in the original Italian, as well as finding inspiration in the Kent coast, led him to construct his work from the centre outwards, with a particular focus on circles. Judy Goldhill’s art is more photographic, with images of Mount Etna and themes of repetition. Sophie Loss’s collection provides the reader a walking tour through a world of their own creation. Several of the photos feature a street with the background removed and anonymous figures, inviting the viewer to assume the role of Dante himself. Carolyn Trant’s art book is not only environmentally consciously produced, but also has nature at its heart, using David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg to represent Virgil and Beatrice, respectively.
James Bicknell Found
James Bicknell Found