News

Media Contact:

Steve Christensen
Manager, Communications
Loyola University Chicago
312-915-6164

CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2006 - The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) announces plans for its second exhibition, "Carlos Saura: Flamenco." The exhibit, sponsored by The Instituto Cervantes and created by Círculo del Arte as part of a city-wide Chicago celebration of flamenco from January 23 - February 24, opens at LUMA on February 17 and runs until March 26, 2006. To celebrate the debut of the exhibition here in Chicago, noted film director and photographer, Carlos Saura is scheduled to attend the opening night festivities.

In the exhibit, Saura visually captures the world of flamenco dance and music in 95 black and white photographs executed between 1950 and 2000. The photos illustrate in high contrast, the discipline and collaboration of dancers and musicians as they rehearse and perform. Famous and legendary flamenco artists like Camaron, Paco de Lucia, Cristina Hoyos and Farruquito are immortalized by Saura, whose photographic vocation started when he was just ten years old.

"Saura's black and white photographs leap the boundaries of our vision, as the images of the flamenco dancers and musicians in rehearsal, in performance and at rest come to life for us," says Pamela Ambrose, director of cultural affairs, LUMA. "Kinesthetically, we imagine the color and sound. This exhibition reveals the source of Saura's early eye as a still photographer and his subsequent transition to the exquisite composition of each frame in his cinematography."

The roots of flamenco can be traced back to the late 15th century when a decree in 1492 by Catholic-Spanish King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella mandated everyone living under their domain convert to Catholicism. Born from the expression of a persecuted people, most notably the Gypsies of Southern Spain, flamenco's unique blend of influences and musical complexity can be attributed to the consequences of this proclamation which was issued under the threat of varying degrees of punishment, the most severe being the death penalty, by fire. It was in this political environment that a variety of cultural groups began to express their repression, resistance and sadness through song and dance as a source of inner personal liberation.

In honor of the exhibition, LUMA will inaugurate its new "Lunch at LUMA" program, produce a gallery brochure of the history of flamenco and play host to two public programs, including:

• Flamenco Passion: A night of Spanish libations and dancing.
  Wednesday, February 22 - 6:00 p.m. in the 3rd floor galleries 
  
  
• Lunch at LUMA: "El Cante" is King: A Spanish-themed lunch followed by a lecture and performance by Tomás de Utrera.
  Wednesday, March 22 - 12:00 p.m. in the William and Marilyn Simpson Education Hall

For more information on any of these programs listed, please call 312-915-7600.

Editor's Note: The Instituto Cervantes will host a press conference with Carlos Saura on Friday, February 17 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss his career and how he has been able to show "real flamenco" to the public. The event will be held at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite #2940. If you have any questions or would like to attend the event, please call 312-335-1996 for more information.

About LUMA
Opened in 2005, the Loyola University Museum of Art is dedicated to exploring, promoting, and understanding art and artistic expression that illuminates the enduring spiritual questions of all cultures and societies. As a museum with an interest in education and educational programming, LUMA reflects the University’s Jesuit mission and is dedicated to helping people of all creeds explore the roots of their faith and spiritual quests. Located at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus, the museum occupies the first three floors of the University’s historic Lewis Towers on Chicago’s famous Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit the museum’s website at LUC.edu/luma.

Art illuminating the spirit!

-LUMA-