What happens when two high-octane artists mash up their ideas, creating a new form? They christen it (Haplomatics), then get a show at the New Britain Museum of American Art (December ’24–October ‘25), to give you not just the result—a multi-media work—but the process and collaboration. This duo’s synergy combined David Hockney’s 35 xerographic prints and text with narration and innovative musical score from The Hartt School’s James Sellars into an animated film that introduces Haplomes, a genus of abstract beings. Our lecture will discuss the artists, the NBMAA show, and the book that chronicles it all, giving you a deeper glimpse into both their friendship and the whimsical world into which their collaboration leads us.
Gary Knoble, a Yale graduate, lives in Hartford. He collects and researches the work of Hartford artists from the 1800s to the present, work he began after retiring from The Hartford Insurance Group as VP of Data Management. He is a Trustee of the New Britain Museum of American Art and chair of the Collections Committee. In 2018 he participated in the Art in Farmington Village show at NBMAA. In 2021 he was contributor and assistant curator for Where Are the Women at the University of St. Joseph and Visionary Voices in Art at the Hartford Town and County Club. Since 2016 he has written 100+ short biographies of 19th- and early-20th century artists who lived or practiced in the Hartford area, and 20+ histories of Hartford area arts organizations. This collection comprises an upcoming book on the history of the Hartford art world, 1800-1950.
Thomas Schuttenhelm is an American composer and guitarist celebrated for his intricate craftsmanship and rich, multifaceted style. His works explore the rich textures of human experience, blending sound and meaning in ways that resonate with both performer and audience. His recent recording Quincunx (Frameworks Records, 2024) is a chamber cycle and musical exploration of the guitar’s evolving identity, woven through unique instrumental combinations. He has published extensively on contemporary British and American music: three books on Michael Tippett. His monograph Haplomatics, on the collaboration between the artist David Hockney and composer James Sellars, will be published by Hirmer and available in December (2024). He is the current Artistic Director at Network for New Music.
Tuesday, March 4 | 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Duncaster (off campus/Bloomfield) | $20
This course is made possible in part by the generosity of the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Brought to you by the Presidents' College, where we connect the curious through lifelong learning.
For more stimulating Presidents' College offerings, see our printable Courses & Lectures listing.
Faculty and staff are eligible to take one Presidents' College lecture for free every semester, or to receive a one-session discount ($20) for a longer course. Contact Laurie Fasciano at fasciano@hartford.edu or 860.768.4495.