Art Historians Do Halloween
I am pleased to say that Halloween is a reasonably important holiday for at least some art historians, although I'm afraid we didn't get into the same frenzy of costume preparation that marked the Halloweens of my undergraduate career.
It may, to be sure, be Pittsburgh as a whole that celebrates Halloweeen with enthusiasm, as I've been seeing yards decked out for Halloween all month long. (For my European and other non-American readers, Halloween is October 31 and is normally celebrated on that date or on the closest weekend. I have never before seen decorations for it up more than a week or so in advance of the holiday.)
Julia, one of our medievalists, was so kind as to throw a party. Julia is visible, with Travis, who went as a zebra. I have to say that ever since Travis decked himself out as Billy Idol, he has tended to look more like one or another of the more flamboyant rock stars than like anything from the natural world.
Leslie, one of our specialists in ancient Chinese art, makes a fine vampire, I think.
Katie, who normally can be relied on to tell us anything we need to know about the Viking period, the aquaniles in the museum in Copenhagen, or Saint Erik, arrived in a most impressive and lifelike costume. Who and what was she? Our computer network guru, Matt (who can be seen, faintly, lurking behind Katie and inside the door). Matt thought he should have known something was up when Katie wanted to borrow one of his plaid shirts.
Amy, who specializes in the Baroque era, chose a more modern period for her costume.
Robert, who generally likes to deal with conceptual art and other things that don't require attaching images to his seminar papers, appeared with his mate in X-Files gear.
Back at home, the rabbit wrangler in disguise as Leonor Fini since, as Travis (or was it Robert?) observed, it wouldn't do to go as one's actual dissertation artist. That would suggest an unhealthy degree of obsession. (Besides, I don't own any coveralls.) I still have plans to imitate Louise Bourgeois one of these days and make a costume with twenty or so breasts.
There was some discussion as to the possibility of doing a party where everyone would have to go as a rock star. I am still mulling over my options on this. Grace Slick? Janis Joplin? The taller stars would have to be left to my colleagues, as even with really high platforms I don't think I could carry off some of the males.
It may, to be sure, be Pittsburgh as a whole that celebrates Halloweeen with enthusiasm, as I've been seeing yards decked out for Halloween all month long. (For my European and other non-American readers, Halloween is October 31 and is normally celebrated on that date or on the closest weekend. I have never before seen decorations for it up more than a week or so in advance of the holiday.)Julia, one of our medievalists, was so kind as to throw a party. Julia is visible, with Travis, who went as a zebra. I have to say that ever since Travis decked himself out as Billy Idol, he has tended to look more like one or another of the more flamboyant rock stars than like anything from the natural world.
Leslie, one of our specialists in ancient Chinese art, makes a fine vampire, I think.
Katie, who normally can be relied on to tell us anything we need to know about the Viking period, the aquaniles in the museum in Copenhagen, or Saint Erik, arrived in a most impressive and lifelike costume. Who and what was she? Our computer network guru, Matt (who can be seen, faintly, lurking behind Katie and inside the door). Matt thought he should have known something was up when Katie wanted to borrow one of his plaid shirts.
Amy, who specializes in the Baroque era, chose a more modern period for her costume.
Robert, who generally likes to deal with conceptual art and other things that don't require attaching images to his seminar papers, appeared with his mate in X-Files gear.
Back at home, the rabbit wrangler in disguise as Leonor Fini since, as Travis (or was it Robert?) observed, it wouldn't do to go as one's actual dissertation artist. That would suggest an unhealthy degree of obsession. (Besides, I don't own any coveralls.) I still have plans to imitate Louise Bourgeois one of these days and make a costume with twenty or so breasts.There was some discussion as to the possibility of doing a party where everyone would have to go as a rock star. I am still mulling over my options on this. Grace Slick? Janis Joplin? The taller stars would have to be left to my colleagues, as even with really high platforms I don't think I could carry off some of the males.
Labels: art, autumn, Pittsburgh
posted by Karla at 10:33 AM
4 Comments:
That mask is most fabulous!
Truly fabulous feathers. And so perfect with the dress!
Well, thank you. I must admit that I didn't make the mask, I actually found it (to my enormous surprise) in one of those giant Halloween warehouse stores. It was even cheap. But wonderful. And I can wear it over my glasses, unlike any of my other masks.
I agree, it's almost Venetian.
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