Photos from the Art History Association Spring Symposium Honoring Dr. Hugo Munsterberg
Office of Communications and Media intern, Katie Gantley, took great shots of the Symposium. They are featured at the College's Zenfolio site
Art History Association Symposium, alumni honor late emeritus professor Hugo Munsterberg
May 1, 2017
This just in from the SUNY New Paltz Alumni Connect newsletter: The Art History Association’s spring event, “A Symposium Commemorating Hugo Munsterberg’s Legacy” was held on April 6 in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium as part of a yearlong celebration of the late emeritus professor’s life and contributions to the College.
Symposium Honoring Dr. Hugo Munsterberg Posted Online
The entire proceedings of the Art History Association's 2017 Spring Symposium, Studies in African Art: A Symposium Commemorating Hugo Munsterberg's Legacy, is now available here.
If you weren't able to make the event, sit back and enjoy the show!
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Art History Alumni share their professional experiences with art history majors
April 5, 2017
While not strictly speaking a Munsterberg Centenary event, the department hosted its second Careers in Art History dinner and alumni panel discussion. We invited Moderator Jaimee Uhlenbrock, Professor Emerita in Ancient Art and Archaeology, and panelists Dr. Christine Mullen Kreamer '75 and William Krattinger '90 to enjoy a meal with our students and answer questions about the trajectories of their careers and the many opportunities afforded to students who earn a BA in Art History.
William Krattinger is a 17-year employee of New York State’s Division for Historic Preservation and was previously a historical interpreter with the National Park Service at sites in New York and Connecticut. Christine Mullen Kreamer is the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The following night Professor Uhlenbrock and Dr. Kreamer were back for the Art History Association's annual Spring Symposium honoring Dr. Munsterberg. We thank everyone, including all the students who attended, that made this event such a success! View the photos taken by intern Katie Gantley at the College's Zenfolio site.
Alumni Invited to Art History Association Symposium Honoring Hugo Munsterberg
Dear Art and Art History Alumni,
The Art History Department is pleased to announce the Art History Association’s spring event, “A Symposium Commemorating Hugo Munsterberg's Legacy.” This event culminates a yearlong celebration of the life of Dr. Hugo Munsterberg (1916-1995), founder of the Art History Department at SUNY New Paltz, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Many of you will remember Dr. Munsterberg whose classes on Asian art (his specialty) and World art are legendary. He taught Art History at New Paltz from 1958 to 1978.
The symposium will take place on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7 pm in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium and will feature African art and architecture. Speakers include Dr. Christine Mullen Kreamer ’75 of the National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian) and Professor Ikem Okoye of the University of Delaware.
Dr. Kreamer will present “Hugo Munsterberg: Scholar and Connoisseur.”
Abstract: “My years as an undergraduate in Art History at the State University of New York at New Paltz were shaped by the diversity of courses taught by the renowned art historian, Hugo Munsterberg. A recognized scholar in the study of the arts of Japan, Hugo Munsterberg expanded my horizons – and countless other students – by courses he taught in the global art histories of Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Along the way, Dr. Munsterberg also taught film history. I took all of his courses, captivated especially by the ways that objects from cultures other than my own opened my mind, eyes, and heart to the aesthetic power of art.
Studying with Hugo Munsterberg meant first-hand encounters with objects. These encounters took place at least once a semester at his home, where students were privileged to see and, at times, handle artworks from the collection he built over the years with his wife, Marjorie. It was during those afternoon sessions at his home, watching him engage with works of art, that I began to understand the intersection of intellectual knowledge and visual acuity that demonstrates a connoisseur’s expertise.
This lecture will consider Dr. Hugo Munsterberg’s qualities as a scholar and connoisseur, with particular attention paid to the arts of Africa.”
Dr. Okoye will present “Confusing the Ancient and the Modern in Global Art History – An African Conundrum”
Abstract: “The Great Mosque at Agadez in the Nigér Republic, as well as other such historic "monuments," gather a lot of attention in relation to conservation and preservation, while other buildings and locations, including private residences where historical heritages are just as present (though less familiar), can often be overlooked, or given far too much attention because misunderstood as "ancient." Buildings taken for ancient by outsiders, can in fact be regarded as very modern from a local perspective. I will ask questions about the ancient and the modern, and how a global art history (that is to say a more inclusive history of art and architecture) must recognize that modernism does not necessarily mean a shared aesthetic sensibility or history of style. One culture's modern could well be another one's ancient and vice versa. How so?”
As part of the celebration, the Art History Department has installed a plaque honoring Dr. Munsterberg in our newly refurbished Visual Resources Study Room in Smiley Art Building, 106C.
We hope you will join us at the symposium this year! If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Art History Department at 845-257-3875.
Sincerely,
Kerry Dean Carso
Chair & Associate Professor of Art History
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
2016-2017 Hugo Munsterberg Centenary Events
The Art History Department has announced a yearlong celebration of the life of Dr. Hugo Munsterberg (1916-1995), founder of the Art History Department at SUNY New Paltz, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Many art and art history alumni remember Dr. Munsterberg whose classes on Asian art (his specialty) and World art are legendary. He taught Art History at New Paltz from 1958 to 1978.
Below is the series of events honoring Dr. Munsterberg’s legacy:
In September to kick-off the semester, the art history faculty and students enjoyed a welcome back event in SAB106C to celebrate Dr. Munsterberg’s birthday (September 13). We listened to Professor Emerita Jaimee Uhlenbrock reminiscence about Dr. Munsterberg. Professor Uhlenbrock was a student of Dr. Munsterberg’s; she later became his colleague in the Art History Department.
Professor Elizabeth Brotherton has curated an exhibition at the Dorsky, “All Excess Stripped Away: Donations to the Dorsky Museum by Hugo Munsterberg.” On Saturday, Oct. 15 at 3 pm, during reunion weekend, Professor Brotherton gave a gallery talk entitled “Hugo Munsterberg as Historian and Collector of World Art” at the Dorsky Museum. According to Professor Brotherton, “Dr. Munsterberg encompassed many traditions of world art into his broad view." Her talk reflected on his work as art historian and teacher, while the participants who were students in his classes punctuated her remarks with their fond and lively memories of him.
Note: This exhibition is on view until December 11, 2016. Read our News article that links to the story in the New Paltz Oracle.
On Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 pm in Lecture Center 104, Michelle Yun, Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Asia Society in New York, presented “Zao Wou-Ki and the Avant-Garde.” Zao Wou-Ki was a Chinese-French artist who transcended cultural boundaries to become a core member of the School of Paris. Ms. Yun examined Zao’s artistic practice and his role in the development of international postwar abstract painting.
On Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7 pm, the Art History Spring Symposium will feature African art and architecture. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Christine Mullen Kreamer ’75 of the National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian) and Professor Ikem Okoye of the University of Delaware. Room TBA.
The Oct. 20 lecture and the Spring Symposium are co-sponsored by the Art History Association and the Art History Department.
As part of the celebration this year, the Art History Department installed a plaque honoring Dr. Munsterberg in our newly refurbished study room in Smiley Art Building Room 106C. Please contact the Visual Resources Librarian, Susan DeMaio Smutny at demaios@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-3873 if you would like to view the plaque.
If you have any questions or need more information on these events, please call the Art History Department at 845-257-3875.
Sincerely,
Kerry Dean Carso
Chair & Associate Professor of Art History
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
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Zao Wou-Ki and the Avant-Garde
October 20, 2017
Dr. Munsterberg thought it was vital to have Asian and African art as part of the curriculum. The Art History Association decided to honor him with a lecture dedicated to enriching students, faculty, alumni and the New Paltz community with a discussion on Asian art.
Michelle Yun, Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Asia Society in New York, presented “Zao Wou-Ki and the Avant-Garde.” Zao Wou-Ki was a Chinese-French artist who transcended cultural boundaries to become a core member of the School of Paris. Ms. Yun examined Zao’s artistic practice and his role in the development of international postwar abstract painting.
Ms. Yun joined members of the Asian Studies faculty and a group of students for dinner afterwards in town.
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Hugo Munsterberg as Historian and Collector of World Art
October 15, 2016
In conjuction with Alumni Weekend 2016, art history professor and exhibition curator, Elizabeth Brotheron, gave a gallery talk for "All Excess Stripped Away: Donations to the Dorsky Museum by Hugo Munsterberg." Alumni gathered in the seminar room of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art to view the exhibition and listen to Prof. Brotheron's remarks. During the course of more than an hour, the event evolved into a lively, evocative, and funny discussion about the effect Dr. Munsterberg's broad view of world art and his mentorship had on his students and colleagues alike.
2016 Founder's Day Celebration!
September 15, 2016
Our new academic year kicked off with a Founder's Day celebration, the first of a slate of events honoring the founder of the Art History department, Dr. Hugo Munsterberg! Dr. Munsterberg was an influential teacher and mentor as well as a specialist in Asian art. He taught at SUNY New Paltz for over twenty years, beginning in 1958. He founded the Art History department in 1970, at the same time hiring two junior faculty who themselves went on to become department chairs and are now emeriti, Jaimee Uhlenbrock (ancient art) and William B. Rhoads (American art).
We welcomed art history students with balloons, birthday cake and other goodies. Jaimee Uhlenbrock was on hand to regale us with often hilarious reminiscences of her mentor and colleague. It was also an opportunity to showcase our refurbished Visual Resources Study Room, including new software that enables students to study together sharing content from their wireless devices on the fly.
