Headlines
The Art and Textiles Department on Tour
The Venetian Experience
1st December 2009
A student's perspective:
During the Art and Textiles study visit to Venice we visited several famous art galleries of both contemporary and classical art, including the Accademia and the Fortuny. We walked across the city taking in the sights and atmosphere of Venice. We also took a gondola ride which was both memorable and enjoyable. In our free time we were able to explore a little for ourselves. I found this a brilliant visit; I was introduced to a fascinating city with a wealth of history and artistic heritage. The visit, though short, showed us the main areas of the city and allowed us to experience Italian culture. Many students will have found this trip invaluable for their studies - and it has also broadened our life experience!
Tilly Stephens (Studying A2 English Literature, French, General Studies and Modern History)
A tutor's perspective:
Setting off in the very wee small hours of the morning of Wednesday, 11th November, 80 dedicated A Level Art and Textiles students, and six accompanying members of staff, left the cold and drizzle of Hereford for Venice, for the 2009 Art Field Trip. The crisp, bright Venetian weather provided the perfect light for the students, assigned the task of completing their sketch books in preparation for their second year coursework. And what inspiration! Apart from the beautiful, often crumbling, city splendour, students were accompanied – led by the expert guiding hand of Luca, our bilingual guide – to a number of internationally renowned galleries: the Palazzo Fortuny, the Peggy Guggenheim, the Palazzo Grassi and the Accademia. It was a unique opportunity to see works by artists as diverse as Takashi Murakami, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Anish Kapoor, Joan Miró, Cy Twombly and Lucio Fontana. It was very impressive to see how well prepared the students were and whenever we walked through the town (we must have walked for 9 miles one day!) or settled in a piazza or gallery, students were inspired to draw and photograph the things around them (from a sweeping, canal side vista to a door knob!). It wasn’t just about Art - it was about culture and by the end of the trip many students had even gained the confidence to speak a little Italian. Molto bene.”
John Pratt, Director of Studies and Tutor of Sociology
Click here to see the Photo Album:
http://www.review.hereford.ac.uk/albums/2009/11/26/venetian_scenes_2009