Detail:Tanabe Chikuunsai III, Squares and Circles, 2005. Bamboo (yadake), rattan, lacquer. Photo © Forrest Cavale.
By PAM HARBAUGH
One of the fascinating offerings connected to the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts is the annual “Uncommon Threads” symposium. It’s stunning to think that the program is 10 years old already.
Always related to the current exhibition on view at the Ruth Funk Center, “Uncommon Threads” presents a free public lecture by renowned national experts, and, the following day, an elegant luncheon with a presentation by that expert.
Helmet in dragonfly shape, 17th century, Japan. Iron, lacquer, wood, leather, gilt, pigments, silk, paper-mache. The James Ford Bell Foundation Endowment for Art Acquisition and gift of funds from Siri and Bob Marshall, 2012.31.1 a-c.
The lecturer is Andreas Marks of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Mr. Marks heads the Japanese and Korean Art Department at the Institute’s Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture. Mr. Marks, who has written numerous books on the subject, curated the Ruth Funk Center’s current exhibition.
Andreas Marks of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
The luncheon begins 10:30 a.m. Friday when Mr. Marks presents his talk, “Weaving a Way Forward: Developments in Japanese Bamboo Art.” That will be followed by a champagne reception and a three-course luncheon. It will also introduce the Funk Center Gift Shop’s new Artisan Showcase.
The luncheon is always a sell-out. Tickets are $75 and valet parking is available. It is held in the Hartley Room in the Denius Student Center on the campus of Florida Tech. The best way to get to that is via Country Club Road. Signs will direct you to the luncheon’s valet parking.
The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts is on the campus of Florida Tech, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne. To make luncheon reservations, call 321-674-8313 or visit http://411.fit.edu/threads. To reach the Funk Center, call 321-674-8313 or visit http://textiles.fit.edu.
