Monday, May 11, 2009
Seligmann, Surrealism & Sugar Loaf
Last Friday (5/1), we held a joint reception with SUNY Orange to celebrate the accomplishments of approximately 15 students who took a course on Kurt Seligmann and Surrealism at our facility in Sugar Loaf. Professor Susan Slater Tanner taught the 5-week course and if the students learned half as much as we did from Professor Tanner, they all deserve A's (but I'll leave that up to the Professor). We hope that the course will be offered again in the fall and we really hope that the students who took the course this time around will help us turn our small tribute to Kurt and Arlette Seligmann into an interactive tool for Seligmann and Surrealist students around the world.
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ReplyDeleteSARAH FODDRILL SAID
ReplyDeleteBefore I began the class I was unfamiliar with surrealism and the artwork with Seligman. The class began and quickly learned that art was so much more than a painted canvas to the Seligmans, it was the evolution of ideas and flourishing the artistic community. As the economy reaches a crippling decline it becomes more important to encourage the development of conserving the past and continue to motivate the future styles emerging in the art world just as the Seligmans did in troubling times.
The Seligmans were able to sponsor refugees escaping Nazi Europe. The Seligmans put tremendous effort in helping refugees building connections with other artists and critics. While most people don’t have access to Swiss bank accounts as they did, sponsorship can still be a tremendous support for up-and-coming artist from areas with conflict. Charitable events can be held to showcase talented artist that wouldn’t be able to get the exposure because they are from parts of the world where it would be near impossible to share their art. Events can be sponsored like other non-profit organizations hold by businesses or art fund organizations.
The ability to connect is easier than ever before. When Paris cafes disappeared artist put effort in continuing the connection with other artist by publishing View magazine. To this day we have several art publications and artists have the ability to connect through online communities. They are able to influence each other as the surrealists did back then. By using the technology available to them, it would be easier to conduct art shows and find venues to show. This also can be extended to providing a resource for artist to find inspiration and techniques, almost like a surrealist archive, in which it is provided non-wikipedia information from period publications such as View magazine or other artist valuable resources.
Because of growing technology, businesses can now become active participants in supporting the arts. As I was checking out at the grocery store I looked up and saw a television above the conveyer belt. I imagined, instead of commercials, if they showcased art. Local or corporate businesses can showcase their sponsored artist multiple times to a mass audience without the complication of having just one piece on their LCD screens. Imagine how many people would see their artwork as they check out. Artists can extremely benefit through this publicity while businesses gain respect for their charitable contributions.
As a community we can also look smaller, just as Special Topics class did when we learned about who the Seligmans were. By educating the class on the need to sponsor artist, it will be an imprint in our minds in our future careers and possibly be reminded to take notice of selected artist that need our help.
JENN SCHUTZ SAID
ReplyDeleteFive weeks ago I had the honor of being part of a special topic class in Sugar Loaf on surrealism and the Seligmann's. Kurt Seligmann, a surrealist and artist, with the help of his wife, greatly helped fellow artists during World War Two. Before this class, I was unaware of the Seligmanns and was unappreciative of surrealism and the history behind it. Surrealism is much more than pictures thrown together: there is a meaning behind the art.
As our world is crippling into recession, more than ever we need to remember the Seligmann’s legacy and their contributions to the community. We need to remember how the Seligmann’s selflessly let their friends hide out at their house to escape the Nazis terror during World War two, and how they put an effort in helping their friends build a connection with other artists in America. As our economy is crumbling, Americans should help out other Americans like the Seligmanns helped out their fellow friends. Just like the Seligmanns, people should help out in the community to build their community up. People should volunteer to make their surroundings stronger and have feelings of ownership of their community. Kurt Seligmann helped out his fellow artists by continuing a connection for them in America. The artist no longer had any Paris cafes in America, but instead they started a magazine called The View to continue the exchange of ideas from one artist to another and to show off the artist's work. One way we can continue to help other artists in a time of need is to continue art education. In our world today high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools are cutting art classes because of low funds. This is a major mistake. I believe art is just as important as math, science, or any other class. Some children (like myself) learn better if they are able to express themselves visually. Like myself also, some children are visual learners. If the school cuts funds for art classes, then these children would have a hard time learning, and would not learn how to appreciate the arts. Our younger generation is the way toward the future, we should not cut off any funds. No amount of money should replace the intelligence of our future.
Not only did the Seligmanns offer good community service and give fellow artists a connection in America, they also left their art fortune behind to the Orange County Citizens Foundation to leave behind their legacy. Before Kurt's wife Arlette died in the early 90s, she felt she had to leave Kurt’s art to someone who would know what to do with it. She left it with Orange County Citizens Foundation to keep it safe. After she died, the foundation had to sell Kurt’s work to keep his house and his story going. The people at the Orange County Citizens Foundation sold his art work at the best time possible. If they sold his work today, I can bet that it would have been sold for half of the price that they got it for. I believe it was a good idea to sell his art work at the time that they did and fixed up the Seligmanns house. The special topic class in Sugarloaf was an awesome class to be in. I am thankful for the times I had and the topics I have learned. Thank you!
-Jennifer Schutz
JEFF VICCHIARIELLO SAID
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Vicchiariello
Sugar Loaf, Surrealism, and Seligmann
Journal: The Seligmann Tradition
May 7, 2009
Over the past five weeks, I have enjoyed an intensive, five week instructional course on the history of Sugarloaf, Surrealism, and the Seligmann legacy at the Orange County Citizens Foundation (OCCF). As Arlette Seligmann wanted, the estate was left to the OCCF. Along with this gracious organization and the efforts of art historian and professor, Susan Slater-Tanner, I have expanded my knowledge in these three areas and hope that the OCCF and SUNY Orange will continue their partnership to bring the experience to many more students. While given the opportunity to study a profound and intricate art, in the studio of one of its most famous promoters, I began to truly appreciate the history that the small hamlet of Warwick possesses. Never entering Sugarloaf, before the commencement of this course, is truly heartbreaking to me. The area is very rich in its historical existence and also, if not richer, in the arts. However, I feel that the area is not getting enough exposure from the younger citizens of Orange County.
With a continuous partnership, the college and the OCCF have the ability to keep the Seligmann estate’s popularity and legend alive. I propose the use of the Seligmann studio, as such. Kurt retrofitted the structure to be an area in which art was created. With the gorgeous views and the northern light, that studio could be an enormous asset to the art students of Orange County Community College. Such courses as Figure Drawing 1 & 2, Drawing 1 & 2, and Painting 1 & 2 could easily be benefitted by the use of this space. I don’t propose a renovation however, more of an expanded use of the historical studio. I feel that the OCCF has done a great job in keeping the legacy alive, however without the proper assistance of an academic institution; it has great probability of dying.
I believe that the legacy of the surrealists, and more specifically, Kurt Seligmann, is crucial to the development of the arts in Orange County. Therefore its history should also be a focus of the curriculum at SUNY Orange. With many great art students attending SUNY Orange and ultimately leaving the community for further studies, the county is faced with a great loss. Most of these students will not return to find jobs. They however, not unlike myself, will travel to larger cities in the hopes of beginning a prosperous career. Perhaps if a famous studio, for the artistic movement in this country, was affiliated with the academic climate, we, as citizens, could bring a revival of the arts to Sugarloaf and the surrounding area.
This partnership could bring a great deal of funding to the OCCF and SUNY Orange as well. With an emerging artistic generation, students will search for the best and the most well known areas in which to study. This means that with the proper representation and publicity, SUNY Orange will have an opportunity to expand its artistic reach throughout the community and therefore the OCCF’s reputation for being influential in the lives of many emerging artists.
May 7, 2009 8:23 AM
JILLIAN BARBUTO SAID:
ReplyDeleteJillian Barbuto
May 7, 2009
I came into this 5 week course knowing nothing about the Seligmanns and very little about Surrealism. Today, I know tons about both. I feel it is important to let people know what these wonderful people did, not only for the art world, but for our own community in Orange County.
There are many ways that we could keep the Seligmann tradition going in the twenty-first century. One idea is to keep somewhat of a scrapbook. Once a month someone from out class has this book. They could find an artwork of the Seligmanns or something that resembles Seligmann's work, and paste that picture in the book. That person would then write a paragraph about it and pass it on to the next person through the school. Maybe there could be a place in or outside of one of the art classes to drop off or pick up the book. This would go on until the every page in the book gets killed and we could then donate it to the Orange County Citizens Foundation for others to view and learn about the Seligmanns.
Another idea would be to make a Kurt and Arlette Seligmann website. I know that when I tried looking them up, I couldn't find a website dedicated to just them. IT would be nice to have on eto find more information about them. All the students from the class could have access to it, and whenever we want to we could add information that we learned about during out class or add some of his artwork that we found to it. There could be a comment section where we could post ideas or thoughts about Seligmann or the class. Another idea for the website would be to have a monthly online vote of which of his artwork we like the best, possible out of 3 or 4 choices. This website could be posted on the school's website so other students could find access to it as well and be involved to keep the Seligmanns alive in our community.
One last way that I could think of for continuing the tradition of the Seligmanns would be to use business partnerships to create a fundraiser that would raise money for art scholarships. We could have a picnic on the Seligmann property for the fundraiser. The Orange County businesses could donate items. A few ideas could be that maybe Shoprite could donate food, the local wineries could donate drinks, the floral shops could donate decorations, and some of the little shops in the town of Warwick or even the Sugarloaf shops could donate some items for a raffle. We could charge a certain amount of money for the tickets that would also lend to the collection of money for the scholarship. The scholarship could be for any art student wanting to go to art school and needs a scholarship. The scholarship could be named after Kurt Seligmann, and more people would then know his name and who he was.
These are all just little ideas to help spread the word of the Seligmanns and continue their tradition for many years to come. It has been a pleasure going to these 5 classes, and I am sure more people want to learn about how these two wonderful people lived close by and had such an influence on the art world and our community.
May 7, 2009 10:05 AM
ANTHONY SKINNER SAID
ReplyDeleteThe past five weeks, and really two and a half months have been a one of a kind learning experience in Sugar Loaf. Being a practicum student for the Orange County Citizens Foundation, I had a unique perspective and insight into the special topics course. For 45 hours, I had the pleasure of viewing the original Seligmann documents. Letters to and from Kurt himself, both professional and personal, from art curators to other famous artists, the volume of Seligmann legacy at my finger tips was fascinating. It was truly a pleasure and a privilege to be able to intern for the OCCF. Thanks to the brilliance and willingness of Arlette Seligmann and the help of Judge Charles Shaughnessy (sp), we can enjoy the legacy that is Seligmann and Surrealism.
Being involved in the lectures and digitalizing the Seligmann archive has opened my eyes to just how important it is to keep the story told. We are quite lucky the Seligmann’s made the choices they did in their lifetime to set-up and give us something to work with. It is our obligation to keep the world of surrealism open to the public and teach others about this great movement in art. With new technology that wasn’t available to Kurt and Arlette, I can accomplish things with little effort that would have been Impossible in their era. Digitalizing the archive and making these documents available to others makes me proud I am helping sustain the legacy and make it easier for others to learn of. Although Kurt’s work was displayed around the world and in the United States, he did not achieve the popularity of say his contemporaries Dali or Ernst. Through the means of technology, the internet, and other tools we can document what we learn and more importantly make it available to those who haven’t had a chance to take the course. Although we are off to a good start, the Seligmann’s were never publicized in the way other artists like Marcel Duchamp were. For example, if one were to Google “Duchamp”, the query would be much greater than if one were to do the same for “Seligmann”. Much can be done to change this.
Sad but true, the Seligmann’s deserve more respect and credit for what they’ve done. If we think back for a minute, Kurt and Arlette were instrumental in the development of American surrealism. With a war being waged in Europe and the Nazi’s invading Switzerland, Kurt made the choice to pack up and head to the United States. Luckily for him and Arlette, they had the assets and connections to leave. Both from well-known families, Kurt had access to Swiss bank accounts while Arlette’s was part of the famous and well-connected Wildenstein family. They were a power couple indeed. Not only were the Seligmann’s essentially the first Surrealists to flea Europe, but they helped other members of the group escape the wrath of Hitler. Upon setting on the farm in Sugar Loaf, Kurt and Arlette set-up a refugee camp for others. The debut of View magazine helped the Seligmann’s and other surrealist make a name for themselves in America. All of these early details were so crucial in the transition of surrealism to America. Once here though, the surrealists kept a low profile right here in Orange County. We are so lucky to have the heart of the surrealist movement right here in our backyard. This luxury is only more justice to why it is so important to continue to share and inform others of the legacy.
The joint efforts of the Seligmann’s and the Orange County Citizens Foundation have made it possible for us to access and enjoy this wealth of information. It’s truly amazing the series of events and decisions made that has kept this movement alive in the twenty first century. The OCCF has done a great job preserving the art and legacy, and I’m proud to be a member of such a legitimate cause. In the future, the OCCF should continue to reach out to other organizations and young people. I’m sure Kurt and Arlette would both be proud of the actions we are taking to ensure the next generation will know of Sugar Loaf, Surrealism and the Seligmann’s.
May 7, 2009
MIKE MARQUEZ SAID
ReplyDeleteLike others, I entered this five week course knowing absolutely nothing about the foundation of Surrealism in the United States or Sugar Loaf. Because of this course I have learned the significance that one individual had in popularizing what would become one of the worlds largest art movements.
The generosity of Kurt and Arlette Seligmann would open doors for so many people. While each came from respectable amounts of wealth, Kurt and Arlette lived a modest lifestyle in the little village of Sugar Loaf making them both members of Orange County. Their generosity to stranded artists in war torn Europe and Arlette’s love of nature and Orange County would be the perfect match for the Orange County Citizens Foundation. At the time of Arlette’s passing in 1992 the Seligmann legacy and homestead was bequeathed to the Orange County Citizen’s Foundation which would become the their work space. A wealthy auction of artworks collected by the couple as well as Seligmann’s own work at Christie’s would ultimately fund the Foundation. In times of recession however, funds ultimately do run out. However, in times of hardship, particularly in the twenty-first century can seem hopeful. There are many simple things that the Orange County Citizens Foundation could do in order to raise funds to continue the legacy of Kurt and Arlette Seligmann. First and foremost, based on looking at their website, one would notice it’s cluttered design and lack of vital immediately visible information. There is no immediately viewable information about Kurt and Arlette Seligmann and their history. Building a stronger web presence via their website, Facebook, etc. would attract donators. Gaining student and artist involvement with the foundation would be mutually beneficial. Students and artists can learn about the Seligmann legacy and the origins of Surrealism, while the Foundation gains membership and donators. Not only is it about money, artists and students can gain a place to work and grow as artists through workshops and seminars, much in the tradition of Kurt Seligmann’s teachings. The Foundation can host several art festivals throughout the year that could attract many people. The location is perfect for a tent event or multi structure use through tents and use of the studio. In addition to fundraising a major sponsorship/partnership should be considered. Potentially, a partnership with SUNY Orange would be an excellent and exciting venture. Courses in the Art department at SUNY Orange could be taught at the Seligmann Estate as well as surrounding facilities in Sugar Loaf. This would attract people to the Sugar Loaf area as well as the Seligmann Estate. The partnership could ultimately produce enough funds to help maintain the facilities considering it would be used as classroom space.
Preserving the legacy of the Seligmann’s is vital, not only for the sake of reason but the pure fact of their generosity and it’s relation to the Orange County Citizens Foundation and the art world. Losing what has been provided to Orange County and the art community would be a heartbreaking loss. These five weeks have been absolutely wonderful, informational and inspiring.
May 7, 2009 6:33 PM
PART ONE OF WHAT SARAH MCHUGH SAID As recently as Friday, March 6th, 2009, my husband, who is an Interior Designer, received an invitation for not only himself but for up to 5 persons to attend this year’s International Armory Show held at Pier 92 & P4 in New York City. This invite, sponsored and totally paid for by the businesses located in The Architects and Designers Building on 58th Street, began with a panel discussion « Exploring Art & Design Trends in Today’s Economy ». This in depth, informative discourse was presented by quite an exemplary cast, including Michael Cannell, former editor of The New York Times Home section and founder of thedesignvote.com and author of the biography of I.M Pei, Anthony Barclay Freund, editor in-chief of Art & Auction magazine and leading authority on the international art market, Lowery Stokes Sims, the Charles Bronfman International Curator of the Museum of Arts & Design ( I knew her when she worked in the curatorial and education departments of The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Rimi Suqi, writer, photographer and consultant for The New York Times, New York Magazine and others, Julie Lasky, editor of Change Observer, an online magazine and finally Stephen Treffinger, free-lance writer for The New York Times, Interior Design and Vogue Living. A group, well versed on the topic of the day, punctuated their concerns with visual presentations. In general, their overall decision appeared to indicate that this overturn in some ways is a somewhat « needed correction » of the overexcessive of the past few years in the art market.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of this economic slump or perhaps because of it, however, this vital program was followed by a most sumptuous luncheon for over about 150 prospective clients in attendance proceeded by provided shuttle services to and from the Piers with complimentary entry tickets included.
After hours of walking through both the modern and contemporary wings of the exhibit, my consensus was very positive about this art market observing works being sold with considerable price tags, albeit with some clients haggling a bit to get the price down a thousand or so before settling. But many works were sold,
To further emphasize my sense of the healing taking place, just two weeks ago, another invitation arrived from a former art instructor of mine, from The National Academy of Design, Wolf Kahn, announcing his opening reception of recent works at the Ameringer & Yohe Gallery on 57th Street. This was no ordinary low brow event, the champagne flowed and so did the coinage. Before we left the exhibit, red dots kept appearing on the walls., close to 12 paintings had been sold with tags starting at 16,000 to 165, 000 while Wolf was meeting and greeting around the rooms. So What does that tell you – possibly a little hope on the horizon ?? He is a landscape artist after all,
A sort of surreal aside in this regard. I asked my son, Stephen McHugh who happens to be a manager and sales representative of the New York City office of Cadagan Tate, a well known established international handler of fine art and antiques, about his recent assessment of his business due to the economy. His answer was startingly unexpected and bizaar. Due to the fraudulant activities of certain ponzi scheme criminals who have recently been exposed, his work load has actually increased due to the necessity to go in, catalog, record, confiscate, and arrange for proper safe packing up for storage and distribution to the various auction houses for resale, art works of incredible value to pay back and restore unfortunate victims. I just hope there are enough controls in place to assure correct distribution and sales.
SEE FOLLOWING POST
PART II OF WHAT SARAH MCHUGH SAID
ReplyDeleteØ My thoughts about the sale of works to renovate, and perpetuate Arlette Seligmann’s wishes for the estate of her late husband seem to me to be a « no brainer ». Everything was done, when it needed to be done AND from all appearances, certainly was done with great care and consideration. How do you determine if waiting for a few more years would have made a diffference? Other problems may have ensued. Procrastination is never to me to be a good thing. It is not in our realm to determine when the time is right except by looking in retrospect about what has been accomplished and there can certainly be no argument that this estate is continuing to reach out as Kurt had done to help the community of artists in need of encouragement and support. It’s a great treasure and should be noted as such.
As to suggestions for what could and should be done, I would merely hope that what has been so successfully started will continue to grow with intelligent management. I could foresee, perhaps a full scale updated online resource center to help artists of all walks of life to resolve certain issues.
As a personal request as President of the Orange County Art Federation, I was looking for a kind of bulletin board where artists looking for items or selling items could post these things. Also a place where questions and answers could be resolved. For example, I was recently seeking some expertise on how to restore old dirty damaged paintings. Another query I am seeking is to locate some artists familiar with the art of gold leafing on canvas. The forum is open ended and could be titled just that.
Thank you for this opportunity to verbally express the many thoughts that came out of your fascinating class.
Hope to continue the dialogue.
Sarah
May 7, 2009 7:31 PM
JOSEPH GUARRACI SAID
ReplyDeleteThe five week seminar Sugarloaf, Surrealism and Seligmann has brought to light a key aspect of the Seligmann Legacy. It is not only his art and the property left by Arlette but the fostering and blossoming of an art community. Seligmann was a crucial component in helping secure the proper documentation and money for the artists from Paris and their self imposed exile. Without Mr. Seligmann would there have been a surrealist movement in America? So to keep that mantra moving forward some proposed key components to continue his legacy would be to:
Use Technology to its full potential:
A possible way to forward and foster art would be to use the internet and more specifically the OCCF website. A bookstore that sells books online could be an avenue which deserves exploration. The OCCF would hold no inventory but would be able to sell books on current topics and related items to Kurt Seligmann., and would in turn generate income. Imagine the relationship that Professor Slater- Tanner and OCCF have begun, continues to grow and students purchase their material through OCCF's website.
Foster Art Education:
Keeping in mind that Kurt Seligmann understood the artist would not be able to survive without funds, that this could be related to the young artist of today. What I propose is an annual competition. This completion would be for an undergraduate student looking to go on to an institution of higher learning, would enter the contest by copying a master, namely Kurt Seligmann. Each piece would be judged and the painting that would most represent a copy of Seligman's work would be called the piece of the year (a different piece each year). This student would win a scholarship to the school of their choice. The painting would remain on site in a permanent gallery of 21st century copies, and the student would receive a showing of their original work in Seligman's studio at no cost. What better way to get youth involved in furthering a legacy by creating art. It is not unheard of for museums to replace originals with copies so long as the copies are as near an exact as possible and for OCCF they can let the public know that these are copies but by local students. The scholarship could be called the Arlette and Kurt Seligmann Scholarship for the arts. A button can be placed on the website to obtain donations for these scholarships and an annual dinner could be a possible fund raiser to announce the winner. The ticket cost could be $150.00 per person and be held in a tent on the Seligmann estate. Seligmann in his own way gave scholarships to the artists in exile. I could not imagine a better way to acknowledge Arlette and Kurt then continuing his work of creating art through young artists.
Develop Business partnerships:
A possible idea for future business partnerships would be to use the current organizations located in Orange County in conjunction with a Plein Air event. Imagine artists from all over orange county painting for two days on the Lawns that Arlette walked with her red toe nails, producing art and culminating in selling it to the public with a percentage of the sales to go to the OCCF. I have attached this link http://www.sonomapleinair.com/ to such an event in California for reference. Tickets for an event such as this could be 2.00 per person (children free) to cover the cost of cleanup and reseeding the lawns if needed. If OCCF would sponsor and name some of the other art organizations IN OC as co sponsors all possible mailing lists could be utilized and generate a large mailing list and possibly a large turnout.
What a great experience and I wish we could learn more about the Man behind the American Movement.
AS A POST SCRIPT I would like to thanks all those who have contributed to our on line discussion of the Seligmann's and especially for your remarks concerning how we can continue Kurt and Arlette's legacy of giving to our community. Keep an eye on ART MATTERS for an upcoming Summer Art Work Shop "Homage to: Frottage, Grattage and Fumage". A mid-week day may be the best... but I will check with OCCF to verify site availability.
ReplyDeleteStart thinking about what art supplies you'll bring. A pot-luck picnic would be a nice way to end a creative day! See quick reference regarding frottage,grattage and fumage@ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumage
Enjoy these carefree assignment-free days....till we meet again!