This image is from "Manhatta," one of several films being shown as part of "Blast! A Celebration of British Modernism" at the Yale Center for British Art.

Special program celebrates modernist artists of WWI 'blast'

The much-underrated contribution of British art to the rise of modernism in the early decades of the 20th century will be explored this spring in "Blast! A Celebration of British Modernism" at the Yale Center for British Art. Through music, films, talks, concerts, exhibits and other special events, the center is highlighting the work of artists who came to maturity under the "blast" of World War I, including C.R.W. Nevinson, Paul Nash, Wyndham Lewis and Edward Wadsworth. Through their work, these artists attempted to sweep away the conventions of British post-Impressionism to make way for a newer vision. In fact, the artist and writer Lewis, founder of both the short-lived periodical "Blast!" and The Rebel Arts Centre, once swore to "destroy politeness, standardization and academic, that is, civilised vision." Through its "Blast!" program, the British Art Center is casting a spotlight on the various manifestations of British modernism in an attempt to capture the excitement and dynamism of the period. In addition to the installation of 20th-century works that opened at the center in January, there will be a retrospective of works by painter, printmaker and avant-garde controversialist C.R.W. Nevinson Feb. 25-May 7. The celebration will also include a series of lectures on the theme "The Uncompleted Project of Modern Architecture and the Other Tradition" by Sir Colin St. John Wilson (see Visiting on Campus, page13); a film series titled "'Unreal City': The Urban Experience" with selected works from British, North American and European cinema; concerts of 20th-century music by British composers performed by The Thoreau Quartet; a special reading of T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land" on Sunday, April 9; and numerous talks on the artists whose works are on display at the center. Watch the Yale Bulletin & Calendar for further information about these events. The Yale Center for British Art, located at 1080 Chapel St., is open to the public free of charge 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The building is wheelchair accessible. For a recorded listing of weekly museum tours and events, call (203) 432-2800; or visit the museum's website at www.yale.edu/ycba. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Mathematician Ronald Coifman wins National Medal of Science DeVita helping to shape nation's future strategy in the war on cancer Concert by Yale Band will recall Glenn Miller era Hustler publisher hails freedom of speech Journalist Jonathan Rauch decries special interest groups Influential architecture journal celebrates 50th year Research shows patients with mental illnesses may get inadequate care after a heart attack Discovery holds promise for reversing brain, spinal injury Interdisciplinary studies to be focus of conference Event will explore challenges of city management Colgate-Palmolive official to discuss global strategy YALE CANCER CENTER NEWS Family history puts even nonsmokers at risk for cancer, says study Link shown between number of lymph nodes and survival from breast cancer Technology center at Stetson Library will help to bridge 'digital divide' Africana specialist Woodson is new curator of Yale collection Researchers find new stars in Milky Way's 'halo' New drug to treat ailment that causes blindness is tested Park ranger chosen as Yale Younger Poet Alvin M. Liberman, specialist in psychology of speech, dies Yale students will 'Stand Up and Dance' to make a difference Special program celebrates modernist artists of WWI 'blast' Comedy and characterizations combine in 'To the Top Top Top!' one-woman show New SOM program examines changing economic landscape White House recalls the legacy of C. Vann Woodward Concerts raise funds to aid victims of Taiwan earthquake Yale Scoreboard . . . In the News . . . Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page