The Art Society Dukeries will meet for their next lecture – ‘The Scoliotic Knight: Reconstructing the real Richard III’ by Tobias Capwell – on Wednesday 6th November.
Discovering the grave of King Richard III in Leicester raised many new and fascinating questions? The severe scoliosis shown by the skeleton, contrasted with his skills of the knightly fighting arts and questioned his wearing of the battle armour. With the King’s royal legitimacy questioned, the visual trappings of nightly Kingship was used to solidify his claim, his armour used as an expressive art form, designed to radiate messages, justification and proof of the wearer’s right to rule as King.
After that, is the group’s lecture on Wednesday 4th December, entitled ‘Christmas, it’s a wonderful life and the forgotten genius of Frank Capra’ by Collin Shindler.
The principal aim of this lecture is to understand the films of one of America’s greatest film makers by placing his work in the historical context of Jeffersonians democracy. Although Capra’s films were mostly set in his contemporary America, the talk looks at the reasons why that rural idyl, foreign to the growth of a modern urban country, resonated so powerfully with audiences during the Great Depression. He won the Best Director Oscar three times in four years. The speaker will also look at the spirit of small town America today.
The Arts Society Dukeries is also holding a Study / Special Interest Day on ‘The Art and the Scandalous Lives of the Bloomsbury Group’ on Wednesday 20th November. Tickets are on sale for £30.00.
These days allow the speaker to give more information on a specialist subject, with three lectures spread throughout the day.
In addition, the Society tries to involve local communities on art issues and have produced Trails of local areas, Villages, Churches and other special buildings. These are available anytime.
They meet at the Civic Centre, Long Lane, Carlton-in-Lindrick S81 9AP on the first Wednesday of the month for a lecture between 11.00am and 12.00pm. Refreshments are available from 10.00am and there is free car parking. Visitors are welcome, paying at the door.
For full details (including last-minute alterations) see www.theartssociety.org/Dukeries or contact Caroline on 01909 531614.