ONLINE SEMINAR
September 9 | Solitude and Beauty
In this time of crisis, of isolation, many of us feel loneliness, uncertainty, and fear. Those who have fallen ill may have suffered greatly; those who have lost loved ones have experienced terrible grief. But could there be a light in the darkness? Could this be the time to explore the gifts of solitude?
Artists and writers have found in solitude deep experiences of beauty. From the jewel-like paintings of Vermeer to the stillness of Japanese Zen Gardens, from the wilderness of the American West to a simple Danish interior – this seminar will explore solitude and beauty in the art of Northern Europe, Japan, and the United States. A particularly American experience of beauty can be found in our National Parks. The vivid descriptions of John Muir and Edward Abbey will help us to connect with nature: trees, birds, rocks, mountains, storms. The artwork of Ansel Adams, Thomas Hill, and Georgia O’Keeffe will be our guides as we travel virtually to mountains and deserts. Finally, we will take a step back and look at the topic of beauty and art philosophically as we read Gadamer’s essay “The Relevance of the Beautiful.” Join us on this journey into solitude through poetry, painting, photography, philosophy, nature writing, and garden design.
When: Six weekly sessions on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern, starting September 9, 2020.
Duration: 2 hours per session
Cost: C$350 plus 13% HST (approx. US$258 plus 13% HST)
Group Size: 12-participant limit
How: We will be using Zoom online meeting software; you will receive instructions on how to download Zoom free after registration. For your privacy, all our Zoom seminars are password-protected and are never recorded.
All online seminar payments are nonrefundable. Select your registration below; please use the Toronto Pursuits credit option only if you are a registered participant of Toronto Pursuits 2020 who wants to put your deposit or previous payment toward an online seminar.
Description
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LEADER
Sean Forester is an artist and lecturer from the San Francisco Bay Area. He has led Classical Pursuits tours to Italy, France, and Russia. Sean studied at St. John’s College Great Books Program, Cambridge University, and the Florence Academy of Art. As a figurative and landscape painter, the topic of beauty is central for him.
BOOKS AND ARTWORK
The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa, by Robert Hass
(Ecco Press, 2002)
ISBN-13: 978-0880013512
The Wilderness World of John Muir, by John Muir, edited by Edwin Way Teale
(Mariner Books, 2001)
ISBN-13: 978-0618127511
Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey
(Touchstone, 1990)
ISBN-13: 978-0671695880
The Relevance of the Beautiful and Other Essays, by Hans-Georg Gadamer
(Cambridge University Press, 1987)
ISBN-13: 978-0521339537
These editions are recommended, but you are welcome to use any edition.
Sean will provide a PDF of paintings and photographs by artists including Johannes Vermeer, Vilhelm Hammershøi, Ansel Adams, Thomas Hill and Georgia O’Keeffe.
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In this time of crisis, of isolation, many of us feel loneliness, uncertainty, and fear. Those who have fallen ill may have suffered greatly; those who have lost loved ones have experienced terrible grief. But could there be a light in the darkness? Could this be the time to explore the gifts of solitude?
Artists and writers have found in solitude deep experiences of beauty. From the jewel-like paintings of Vermeer to the stillness of Japanese Zen gardens, from the wilderness of the American West to a simple Danish interior – this seminar will explore solitude and beauty in the art of Northern Europe, Japan, and the United States. A particularly American experience of beauty can be found in our national parks. The vivid descriptions of John Muir and Edward Abbey will help us to connect with nature: trees, birds, rocks, mountains, storms. The artwork of Ansel Adams, Thomas Hill, and Georgia O’Keeffe will be our guides as we travel virtually to mountains and deserts. Finally, we will take a step back and look at the topic of beauty and art philosophically as we read Gadamer’s essay “The Relevance of the Beautiful.” Join us on this journey into solitude through poetry, painting, photography, philosophy, nature writing, and garden design.
All online seminar payments are nonrefundable.
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Additional information
| Choose registration type | Standard registration, Toronto Pursuits 2020 credit |
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