On Saturday, Feb. 25, Joslyn Art Musuem opens the exhibition Jun Kaneko: Madama Butterfly. On view through April 30, all UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and University Physicians employees, students and their families receive free admission to the museum by showing their employee ID badge at Joslyn’s entrance desk. A free admission includes two adults and accompanying children during general admission hours, which are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
The Jun Kaneko: Madama Butterfly exhibition presents drawings, designs and models that internationally renowned Omaha artist Jun Kaneko produced over the past year and a half in his role as set a costume designer for Opera Omaha’s March 2006 production of one of the most popular opera of all time: Madama Butterly.
On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Witherspoon Concert Hall, Joslyn Art Museum,
Jun Kaneko will discuss the creative evolution of bringing his production of Madama Butterfly to life. In addition, Dr. John WiIson, director of curatorial affairs, presents a slide show on the influence of Oriental design on Western artists in Puccini’s time. There will be an exhibition viewing in the immediately following the lecture. The event is free if you show your ID badge.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, from 1 to 1:45 p.m., the Saint John’s University Men’s Chorus will perform a wide range of sacred music, including Gregorian chant, at locations throughout Joslyn Art Museum. The Saint John’s University Men’s Chorus is renown throughout the North Central United States, Europe and Asia and has received numerous international awards. This special performance event is free by showing your employee or student ID badge at any Joslyn entrance.
Employees and students also may view:
- Illuminating the Word: The St. John’s Bible (now through April 16)
Since 2000, scribes and artists in Wales have been crafting The Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten and illuminated bible in over 500 years. This contemporary rendering of a timeless religious text is presented on oversized calfskin vellum, with inks and pigments hand ground from precious minerals and stones and copper, silver, gold, and platinum leaf gild. The exhibition includes nearly 100 finished pages and other items. - French Donjons: Castle of Coucy, Medieval Life in Miniature (now through May 14)
The centerpiece of this exhibition is an eight-foot high model of the donjon (residential tower) of the castle at Coucy in France and its grounds during the historic siege of 1339. Populated with 2,500 individually crafted figurines, the castle offers a glimpse of life during the Middle Ages.
Coming in March:
On Friday, March 3, Joslyn will present the next session of Art Express, a drop-in lunch and lecture series that provides a closer look at Joslyn’s permanent collection and traveling exhibitions. Art Express is held the first Friday of the month from noon until 12:45 p.m. in the Eppley Science Hall Amphitheater. Bring your lunch and learn more about the Mystery and Beauty of the Ancient World revealed in Joslyn’s permanent collection. Joslyn Docent Norma Fuller will lead a presentation and discussion on how beauty and mystery of the ancient world is reflected in its art. Artworks include Chinese tomb figures, an Egyptian Priestess, a Palmyrene portrait sculpture and Greek pottery.