2007 Program Report

EXHIBITIONS

Mallorcan Landscapes
November 28, 2007 – February 2, 2008

This exhibition was made possible thanks to Robertina Calatrava, member of the Institute’s Cultural and Fine Arts Committee, and it was held in collaboration with the Government of the Balearic Islands, The Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern I Contemporani de Palma and the Serra Family who provided works from their permanent collection. The curators were Soad Houman and Catalina Joy.

The exhibition displayed the works of seventeen artists including Joaquin Sorolla, Santiago Rusiñol, Anglada-Camarasa and Joaquim Mir, whose art reflects the influence of the island of Mallorca. The twenty-one landscape oil paintings, dating from 1872 to 1934, exemplified the diverse styles and trends in landscape painting on the island during this time. Also included were nine etchings and aquatints by Joan Miró, the Série Mallorca, which the artist dedicated to the island.

This exhibition was very popular and it received a nice mention in The Wall Street Journal (December 27, 2007). The accompanying catalogue for the exhibition was provided by the Fundació Es Baluard D’Art Modern I Contemporani de Palma.

Madrid Fashion Week
October 18 – November 17, 2007

Rakela Rupérez, member of the Institute’s Cultural and Fine Ars Committee, was instrumental in bringing this presentation to the Institute. It was made possible by the Asociación de Creadores de la Moda de Españaand sponsored by the government institutions of Madrid: Government of the Region of Madrid, City Hall of Madrid, PromoMadrid, IFEMA, Chamber of Commerce of Madrid and CEIM (Madrid Entrepreneurs Association).

Madrid Fashion Week was very well received and the opening was a great success. Chairman Oscar de la Renta contacted top fashion industry professionals and members of the press who were very enthusiastic of the innovative designs presented. The popular Spanish designers who participated were: Agatha Ruíz de la Prada, Francis Montesinos, Amaya Arzuaga, Elio Berhayer, Vitoorio & Lucchino, Roberto Torretta, Jesús del Pozo, Roberto Verino, Klina Fernandez, Angel Schlesser, Lemoniez, Miguel Palacio, Miriam Ocariz, Ailanto, Lydia Delgado, Spastor, Andrés Sardá, José Miró, Devota & Lomba, David Delfín, Alma Aguilar, Duyos, Javier Larrainzar, Juanjo Oliva, and Carmen March.

WWD (October 23, 2007) devoted an entire page to the opening of exhibition.

In honor of Her Majesty Queen Sofía. Greece: Images of an Enchanted Land, 1954-1965.
July 19 – August 25, 2007

The exhibition included over 60 black and white photographs by Robert McCabe, a renowned photographer who has exhibited his works in New York, Athens and Paris. The photographs shown were taken during visits of the artist to the Greek Islands in the 1950s and 1960s and are part of his book Greece: Images of an Enchanted Land, 1954 –1965 (Quantuck Lane; Bilingual edition September 6, 2006). The images capture the people and landscapes of an era and way of life that have all but vanished in the rush of tourism and development. A number of photographs in the exhibition were taken during the summer of 1954, the same summer that Queen Sofía met her future husband, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, on a cruise in the Greek Islands.

Salvador Tuset Tuset (1883-1951)
May 25 – June 30, 2007

Dr. Felipe Garín was the organizer of this exhibition and co-curator with Isabel Justo. This exhibition was sponsored by the Generalitat de Valencia. On display were forty-two works of art by this former student and great friend of Sorolla. The works presented, created between 1908 and 1948, were but a small sample of the more than one thousand paintings known to have been produced by the artist. The majority of the works on display were landscapes, including those of the Plateau of Castile. Tuset’s portraits and self-portraits reflected his modernism. A series of paintings featuring the rooms of Villa Elvira reflected its interiors as serene spaces where he found a pleasant confinement. Among the award-winning works included were Musicians, which was shown at the International Exhibition of Art in Rome in 1911 and Women’s Concert, which won first prize at the Exhibition of Young Valencian Artists in 1916.

There was a special review in The New York Sun (June 21, 2007). The Concorci de Museus de la Comunitat de Valenciana provided a wonderful catalogue for the exhibition.

Tile Design in Valencia: From the Middle Ages Through the Early 20th Century
November 15, 2006 - April 13, 2007

The Director of the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias González Marí de Valencia, Jaume Coll Conesa, was the curator of this magnificent exhibition. The tiles were selected from the collections of the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarios González Martí de Valencia, the Ministry of Culture, the Museo del Azulejo de Onda (Castellón) and the Museo de Cerámica de Manises (Valencia).

On display together for the first time outside of Spain, the 110 tiles demonstrated the evolution of Valencian tile design between 1300 and 1930, reflecting over 600 years of Spanish history. The exhibition begins with the deep Islamic roots of ceramic facings on the Iberian Peninsula through the sumptuary ceramics of the Valencian nobility, clergy and professional associations of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The heraldic tiles were integrated into flooring as well as on the exterior walls as a symbol of property. Also demonstrated was the influence of ceramics on the evolution of aesthetics from the Mannerism of the 16th century through the eclecticism of the Romantic Rococo and Neo-Classical tile design in Valencia. The exhibition ended with the popularization of industrial tile production in the 19th and 20th centuries, along with the corresponding changes and continuities in technology and fashion, from romantic revivalism through modern abstraction.

It was a very popular exhibition. It received excellent reviews in The New York Times (January 2, 2007)and The New York Sun (December 21, 2006). The magnificently illustrated catalogue for the exhibition was provided by the Secretaria Autonomia de Cultura I Politica Lingusitica and Concorci de Museus de la Comunitat Valenciana.

LECTURES, BOOK PRESENTATIONS AND SYMPOSIA

November 31, 2007
“Barcelona. The Tipping Point.”

Financial Symposium and Luncheon at the St. Regis New York
Participants: Isak Andic, Mango; Conde de Godó, La Vanguardia/Grupo Godó; José Manuel Lara, Planeta; Josep Oliu, Banco Sabadell; and Leopoldo Rodés, Media Planning.
Moderated by Dr. Fernando Aleu, Chairman Emeritus, Queen Sofía Spanish Institute

“New Challenges on Global Health” in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Sofía
Luncheon presentation by Dr. Pedro Alonso, Head of the Center for International Health of the Hospital Clinic at the University of Barcelona.

The symposium and the luncheon were sponsored by Laboratorios Esteve and organized by Dr. Fernando Aleu.

October 23, 2007
“Vistas de España: Afterthoughts on American Artists in Spain”

Dr. M. Elizabeth Boone, Professor of the Department of the History of Art and Design and Chair at the University of Alberta
Introductory remarks by Dr. Richard Kagan, Professor of History and Romance Languages and Literatures, Johns Hopkins University
Lecture

October 2, 2007
“Cancer its Treatment, Realities and Hopes” in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Sofía

Severo Ochoa Lecture Series at the Clínca Ruber in Madrid
Dr. José Baselga, Chairman, Medical Oncology Serivce, Vall d’Hebrón Hospital, Barcelona
Presided by Dr. Fernando Aleu, Chairman Emeritus, Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
In collaboration with the Clínica Ruber in Madrid.

May 29, 2007
“Meeting the World’s Needs: Reform of the IMF in a Changing Global Economy”

Honorable Rodrigo de Rato y Figueroa, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Introductory remarks by Ambassador Javier Rupérez, Executive Director, Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate at the United Nations
Lecture and Dinner

May 24, 2007
Salvador Tuset Tuset and the School of Sorolla

Dr. Felipe Garín, Art Historian
Lecture during the opening reception for the exhibition, Salvador Tuset Tuset (1883-1951)

May 23, 2007
“The Spanish Unviersity and the American Campus: Bridges Between Cultures”

Pablo Campos Calvo-Sotelo, Architect
Lecture

May 21, 2007
“On the Art of Translation: A Conversation with Edith Grossman.”

Dr. Edith Grossman, Distinguished Translator; and Dr. Lía Schwartz de Lerner, Distinguished Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature and Chair, the Graduate Center, CUNY
Lecture

April 25, 2007
“King Philip IV of Spain and His Collections.”

Dr. Geza von Habsburg, Art Historian
Lecture and Dinner

April 21, 2007
Issues in Literature: A Hudson Review Symposium
Literature Across Borders: On the Art and Experience of Translation

A panel featuring translators Richard Pevear (Russian, French), Larissa Volokhonsky (Russian), Emily Grosholz (French), Charles Martin (Latin), Rhina P. Espaillat (Spanish) and Esther Allen (Spanish, French).

The Once & Future Critic: The Form and Function of Arts Criticism in Our Changing Cultural Landscape
A panel featuring literary and arts critics John Simon, Brooke Allen, Karen Wilkin, Dean Flower, Alexandra Mullen and Brian Phillips.

In collaboration with The Hudson Review, Paula Deitz, Editor, and Tess Lewis, Member of the Board.

April 4, 2007
“The Work of José Ovejero, the Writer and His Context” 

José Ovejero, Author
Introductory remarks by William Sherzer, Professor of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Spanish Literature at The Graduate Center, CUNY and Brooklyn College
Lecture

March 6, 2007
Luncheon in honor of Honorable Jordi Hereu, Mayor of Barcelona, and the exhibition “Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudí to Dalí” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (March 7 – June 3, 2007)

Discussion and Luncheon

MUSIC PROGRAMS

December 13, 2007
Master Class in Guitar by Sharon Isbin, Director of Guitar Department at The Juilliard School.
Teaching students from The Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College of Music.*

November 7, 2007
Master Class in Guitar by Carlos Barbosa Lima.
Teaching students from the Julliard School, Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College of Music. *

October 25, 2007
Recital by Amaya Arberas, Mezzo Soprano and accompanied by Elaine Rinaldi, Pianist.

October 16, 2007
Recital by Carlos Perez, Guitarist
In collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D.C.

June 26, 2007
Mannes Summer Institute of Art Song in Spanish Inaugural Concert
The Granada of Juan Ramón Jiménez
Presented by Project Canción Española.
Recital by José María Gallardo del Rey, Guitar; Jorge Robaina, Piano; and Nan Maro Babakhanian, Mezzo Soprano.
In collaboration with Mannes College of Music.

June 6, 2007
Concert of Spanish and Sephardic Songs
Recital by Duo Abril: Nadav Lev, Guitarist; and Limor Ilan, Mezzo Soprano.
In collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel

May 3, 2007
Recital by Francisco Garcia-Fullana, Violinist and Accompanied by Eri Kang, Pianist.
In collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D.C.

March 28, 2007
Master Class in Guitar by Aldo Minella.
Teaching students from The Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College of Music. *

*These performances are made possible thanks to Mrs. Assunta Carballeira, Board of Directors of Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, and the grant provided by The Augustine Foundation

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

The Education and Outreach program enables Queen Sofía Spanish Institute to invite public and private school children (grades 3-12) and teachers from the metropolitan area to learn more about Spanish art and history through the fine arts exhibitions and lectures offered during the academic year. 

Our curriculum includes a slide/lecture program, with presentations such as Spanish Art through the Ages; The Art of the Spanish in the United States; Knights in Armor; 3000 Years of Art in Mexico; and Young Pablo Picasso and His World. Shirley Glubok, author of numerous educational children’s books, is the main lecturer of the program. 

Created in 1992 through a five-year grant, the program received additional private donations by Board members and friends of Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. The program was awarded a substantial grant by an anonymous donor that carried us forward and allowed the Institute to expand the program to meet the growing needs of the metropolitan area schools.

In 2007 the Education and Outreach program reached students from across the metropolitan area. The following schools participated and brought various grades:

Metropolitan Corporate Academy
Brooklyn, NY / 10th Grade, 50 Students
Spanish Through the Ages

Dominican Academy
New York, NY / 7th Grade, 20 Students
Young Pablo Picasso and His World

St. Francis DeSales School
New York, NY / 7th Grade, 35 Students
Young Pablo Picasso and His World

Middle School 136
Brooklyn, NY / 8th Grade, 24 Students
3000 Years of Art in Mexico

St. Patrick Old Cathedral Academy
New York, NY / 7th Grade, 25 Students
Knights in Armor

St. George Academy
New York, NY / 9th-12th Grade, 10 Students
3000 Years of Art in Mexico

CLASS PROGRAM REPORT

In general terms, we can say that 2007 has been a good year for the Class Program.
In order to continue with the program’s development, we have implemented some changes and revised the curriculum. As the result of the actions taken, the program has grown.

GROUP CLASSES
-With the objective of expanding the possibilities of our program, we offered new Summer Workshops, from which the following were successful: 

Conversation Intermediate & Advanced
Grammar Review: Initial, Intermediate & Advanced

For 2008 we also hope to succeed with:
Spanish Through Art
Spanish & Theater, and
Spanish & Cinema.

-The new Class Program Syllabus is now given to students on the first day of class in order to give them a clear idea of what will be covered in the course, and to see that the teacher effectively covers the material.

-Quality service is our main objective and it is where we can provide an important difference. For this reason, we continue to offer two weekly hours of free tutoring sessions to all students currently enrolled in our program. Students sign a request form a week in advance indicating their level, so that the teacher in charge can prepare the appropriate material.

-The resources and materials available for the use of the teachers have been also improved.
We have a new textbook, El ventilador for the superior level, as well as new books and audiovisual tools.

One of our projects for 2008 is to improve and renew our electronic equipment for the classrooms.

At the moment we need 3 new televisions, 3 DVD players and 4 VHS players.

-The Tertulia on Fridays was well attended through the year.
However, we are now working on implementing a new Tertulia to attract and keep new members. We understand that it is a very effective opportunity for students who wish to improve their oral skills in an enjoyable social atmosphere.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Our Private Classes Program continues to be very popular and very successful among people from the most diverse backgrounds: professionals in banking, social services, teaching, housewifes, etc.

We have taught more that 300 students this year and we can say without any doubt that our program is growing.

CORPORATE ON-SITE INSTRUCTION
We have focused as well on our on-site Corporate Instruction Program that has resulted in the signing of new contracts throughout the year, namely:
NYLPI, New York Lawyers for Public Interest
Columbia Hospital
Think Bravo 
Rabobank
Murex
Posco America
Merrill Lynch

We are looking forward to the expansion of our services in this area, with on-site courses for business, medical and social services professionals, as well as the areas of translation and interpreting.

We continue working with institutions such as the NY Presbyterian Hospital, the Hebrew Home for the Aged, as well as other individuals.

SPANISH FOR CHILDREN
Our program including private and group classes has been well attended, and we feel that we are on the right path to grow it.

CIRCULO LITERARIO
This reading club has met successfully throughout the year, and we were happy to see that some students from our regular group classes have joined this excellent alternative to practice their language skills and learn more about our literature.
We would like to mention that the Círculo Literario is voluntarily led by Mr. Alex Ross, who is doing an excellent job.

The books chosen for this year were: Marianela by Benito Pérez Galdós, Los Adioses by Juan Carlos Onetti, Aura by Carlos Fuentes, El beso de la mujer araña by Manuel Puig, San Miguel Bueno Mártir by Miguel de Unamuno, Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes, Son de Almendra by Maira Montero, Dos mujeres en Praga by Juan José Millás, El naranjo by Carlos Fuentes, and Nocturno de Chile by Roberto Bolaño.

JUEVES CINE
This program features films from different Spanish-speaking countries. The films are presented by a teacher, who encourages a dialogue at the end of each movie. This program offers an opportunity to learn and understand the culture of Spain and Latin America.
Designed essentially for our students, the program has been well attended during this year.
The films for 2007 were: El viaje de Carol by Imanol Uribe, Te doy mis ojos by Iciar Bollain, Santitos by Alejandro Springall, Reinas by Manuel Gómez Pereira, Princesas by Fernando León de Aranoa, Flores de otro mundo by Iciar Bollain, Las cosas que dejé en La Habana by Manuel Gutierrez Aragón, and Al otro lado by Gustavo Loza.