John Cage: Zen Ox-Herding Pictures October 2, 2009 – April 7, 2010 Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art and Harnett Print Study Center University of Richmond Museums John Cage: Zen Ox-Herding Pictures will be on view concurrently in the Lila and Joel Harnett Museum of Art and the Harnett Print Study Center, University of Richmond Museums, from October 2, 2009 to April 7, 2010. John Cage (American, 1912-1992) was a seminal composer, writer, and artist whose interest in East Asian and Indian philosophy led him to abandon intention, memory, and personal taste to focus instead on process and chance in music, performance, and visual art. This exhibition features fifty-five watercolors on small paper towels created by Cage in 1988 at the Mountain Lake Workshop, Blacksburg, Virginia. The idea of the exhibition was conceived when John Cage was painting at the Mountain Lake Workshop at the invitation of Ray Kass, founder and director of the workshop. As Cage experimented with watercolor for the first time, he used paper towels as test sheets to acquaint himself with the new medium. Kass saw these paper towels as more than just test sheets; they had a beauty all their own, and he suggested to Cage that they should be used to make a new piece. Cage then told Kass that he should make a piece with them.
Two decades later, Dr. Stephen Addiss, Tucker-Boatwright Professor in the Humanities-Art and Professor of Art History, University of Richmond, joined Ray Kass in realizing the potential of these singular images. From Kass’ collection of archived paper towels, Kass and Addiss came up with five sets of images that reflect the narrative of the Zen Ox-Herding pictures as well as five additional poem-paintings. The subject of Zen Ox-Herding is an old East Asian parable for the path to and beyond enlightenment and one in which John Cage often referred to in his discussions and writings. Accompanying each of the images is a poetic fragment of writing by Cage, specifically selected by Addiss to further tie the image to the ancient parable. John Cage: Zen Ox-Herding Pictures was organized by the University of Richmond Museums, and curated by Stephen Addiss, Tucker-Boatwright Professor in the Humanities-Art and Professor of Art History, University of Richmond, and Ray Kass, Professor of Art, Emeritus, Virginia Tech. The exhibition and programs are made possible in part with the generous support of the University of Richmond’s Cultural Affairs Committee. A catalogue published by George Braziller, Inc. Publishers, New York, in association with the University of Richmond Museums, is available. PROGRAMS - Friday, October 2, 12:30 to 1 p.m. Curator’s Talk, “John Cage: Zen Ox-Herding Pictures” Stephen Addiss, Tucker-Boatwright Professor in the Humanities-Art and Professor of Art History, University of Richmond, and co-curator of the exhibition, Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, Modlin Center for the Arts - January 28, 2010, 4 to 6 p.m. Meditation Workshop, Josho Pat Phelan, abbess of the Chapel Hill Zen Center, North Carolina North Court Reception Room, North Court Bring your own pillow - January 28, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m. 7 p.m., Lecture, Cousins Studio Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts Josho Pat Phelan, abbess of the Chapel Hill Zen Center, North Carolina 8 to 9 p.m., Reception and viewing of the exhibition John Cage: Zen Ox-Herding Pictures Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art and Harnett Print Study Center, Modlin Center for the Arts - February 4, 2010, 6:30 p.m. “Discovering Many Faiths” Interfaith Dinner featuring Buddhism Panel Discussion Keller Hall Reception Room, Modlin Center for the Arts - March 4, 2010, 7 to 8 p.m. Lecture, Laura Kuhn, Director, John Cage Trust Brown Alley Room, Weinstein Hall - March 24, 2010, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Cage Celebration Performance, Departments of Music, Dance, and Theatre, University of Richmond Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music, Modlin Center for the Arts - March 25, 2010, 3 to 5 p.m. Art Workshop, Ray Kass, Professor of Art, Emeritus, Virginia Tech Location TBD, Modlin Center for the Arts - April 1, 2010, all day Campus–wide happenings in celebration of John Cage The events are open to the public and free of charge. George Braziller, Inc. Publishers, New York