75th Anniversay CELEBRATORY weekend, 4-6 July 2008

 

Friday 4 July: Alumni Reunions

 





 The 75th Anniversary Weekend officially began at 6.30 on Friday 4 July, when hundreds of Courtauld alumni descended into various venues around London to reunite with their former classmates and tutors.  The nine host galleries—Sam Fogg, Daniel Katz, Colnaghi, Johnny Van Haeften, Simon Dickinson, f a projects, The Photographers’ Gallery, Agnew’s, and Victoria Miro—generously opened their doors, allowing old friends to meet and new connections to form.  Many of the festivities carried on in surrounding pubs long after the official events were over!

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Saturday 5 July: Daytime Talks and Tours

 








 Somerset House played host to no fewer than 28 distinct events during the day on Saturday, providing something for everyone who attended.  From behind-the-scenes tours of the Conservation Studio, Prints & Drawings Room, and newly refurbished libraries, to packed discussions in the Lecture Theatre and Research Forum, participants deepened existing interests and dabbled in new fields, and also enjoyed the lovely surroundings of a sunny day at Somerset House!  Recordings of many of the day’s sessions will soon be available at www.courtauldassociation.org.  The events were capped off by a launch of immediations and a panel discussion by its contributors and those involved in the forthcoming Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes.
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Saturday 5 July: The 75th Anniversary Party

 



 The South Wing of Somerset House was set aglow as nearly 500 guests came together for a glamorous gala evening, where they received warm welcomes from hosts Dr Deborah Swallow, Nicholas Ferguson, and Robin Simon.  With views from the River Terrace and a unique chance to utilize the Portico Room balconies overlooking the Thames and the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Courtauld, the setting was nothing short of spectacular.  Three live bands and free-flowing food and drink further enhanced to the festive atmosphere, and few were ready to leave at the stroke of 11.00! 

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Sunday 6 July: Museum Morning: Why Do Exhibitions?

 






 Sunday morning brought together an extraordinarily distinguished group of leading figures in the museum world, who despite their many differences shared the characteristic of being Courtauld Alumni.  In a discussion chaired by Richard Cork, Christopher Brown (Ashmolean Museum), Richard Calvocoressi (The Henry Moore Foundation), David Elliot (Humboldt University), Kaywin Feldman (Minneapolis Museum of Art), Mary Anne Stevens (Royal Academy of Art), Matthew Teitelbaum (Art Gallery of Ontario), and Ernst Vegelin (Courtauld Gallery) discussed the current state of exhibitions in the museum world, and debated their significance in a lively conversation.

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Sunday 6 July: Afternoon Tea Part at Portman Square

 



 The weekend came to a close with a return to 20 Portman Square, the original site of The Courtauld Institute of Art.  Home House, now a private club, catered a splendid tea in their grand dining rooms.  Over 100 guests had the opportunity to take tours of the premises, and many stories of times past were shared.  Former Director Professor Eric Fernie delivered a heartfelt and poignant message about The Courtauld’s past, and alumna Anita Brooker kindly shared extended her best wishes for The Courtauld’s future.  The stroll down memory lane was the perfect ending to a weekend that celebrated The Courtauld’s past while moving excitedly into its future.

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Other Past Events


October 2007
Location: The Courtauld Gallery Cafe
A special display telling the story of the The Courtauld Institute of Art, from its beginnings in the 1930s through to the present day, and the people whose passion has created one of the world’s leading centres for the teaching and research in the history and conservation of art.


24 October 2007


Launch of The Courtauld Vision, the official publication for the anniversary year, including interviews with Courtauld alumni Nicholas Serota, Director of Tate, Neil McGregor, Director of the British Museum, and art critic Brian Sewell.


25 October 2007 – 20 January 2008


Location: The Courtauld Gallery
Walter Sickert: The Camden Town Nudes
The first of The Courtauld’s anniversary programme of exhibitions.
More exhibition information


 

24 January 2007


The Courtauld Institute of Art, East Wing
Launch of East Wing Collection 8: On Time.
A student-curated exhibition of contemporary art, displayed throughout the rooms of the Institute.
More exhibition information


21 February – 25 May 2008


Location: The Courtauld Gallery
Renoir at the Theatre: Looking at La Loge
The second in The Courtauld Gallery’s anniversary exhibitions programme.
More exhibition information>


26 June – 5 October 2008


Location: The Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld Cézannes
The final exhibition in The Courtauld’s anniversary programme.


4-7 July 2008


Celebratory weekend including talks, seminars and panels, alumni reunions and the annual degree presentation.