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‘Trompe L’oeil’ tricks the eye, challenges the mindPrint OptionsMore InformationRelated Information |
‘Trompe L’oeil’ tricks the eye, challenges the mind
Johnson County Community College
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Nigel Delahoy |
Natalie Liccardello |
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — When an artist takes on the challenge of painting a new version of Venus Rising from the Sea, his live model provokes questions about censorship, truth and the role of the muse in arts.
Trompe L’oeil, presented by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and Johnson County Community College department of theater, has its world premiere at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 6-7, in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center.
The drama, written by Dorothy Naeymi, JCCC adjunct professor, speech, is set in Kansas City and references Venus Rising from the Sea: A Deception, an internationally famous painting by Raphaelle Peale that will be reinstalled in the newly renovated and expanded American Art Galleries opening in mid-April 2009 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Performing arts and visual arts combine in the evening-length play. Peale’s painting is known for its intention to fool the viewer, and Trompe L’oeil plays off the painting’s clever ambiguity of what is real versus what is illusion.
“The story explores art in relationship to inspiration, intuition, dedication and censorship through three characters: a college professor, an artist and a model posing as Venus,” Naeymi said. “A Middle Eastern burka underscores the play’s main theme — trompe l’oeil (a trick of the eye).”
Sheilah Philip, JCCC theater professor, directs three professional Kansas City actors — Jim Korinke, Nigel Delahoy and Natalie Liccardello.
This is the first full-length play by Naeymi, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from Illinois State University.
“We’re pleased that this renowned work from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art inspired such a thought-provoking play. Venus Rising from the Sea continues to engage and enthrall viewers of all ages,” said Margaret C. Conrads, Samuel Sosland Senior Curator of American Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Bruce Hartman, director of JCCC’s Nerman Museum, said, “We’re thrilled at this opportunity to collaborate with JCCC’s theater department, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and playwright Dorothy Naeymi.”
Both performances are open to the public. Tickets for March 6 are $5.
Tickets for March 7, including a dessert reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium, performance and a post-performance panel with Philip, Naeymi, Conrads and a Muslim scholar, are $35 ($15 for students, which includes membership to the Nerman Museum for a year). Members of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art will receive invitations for the March 7 evening, but the general public is invited as well.
Seating is reserved, and tickets are available through the JCCC box office at 913-469-4445.
“This marks the first collaborative member event between the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We’re very excited to be able to offer our members a unique experience combining the visual and performing arts,” said Emily Fowler, JCCC program director, campaigns and gifts, who coordinates memberships for the Nerman.
Funding for this program is provided by the ArtsKC Fund and the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.
