Master Thompson: Aesthetic of the Cool

The Yale Club of Nevada Faculty Series invites you to a lecture and performance:

Aesthetic of the Cool: Afro-Atlantic Art and Music

Robert Farris Thompson, Colonel John Trumbull Professor of Art, Yale UniversityRooted in ideals of individual and social balance and control, the “cool” is a way of life, full of motion and brilliance. It came to the Americas from Africa with slaves who wove it into our civilization. Today it infuses our entire culture with energy and invention galore, from clothing, music, dance, gesture, language, and sports (especially basketball), to religious practices, yard shows, quilts, paintings, gallery installations, and more.This is not your standard lecture. Far from it. Video, music and slides supplement the talk. Plus, be prepared to get up and dance with Yale’s legendary “Master T” on the conga drum (or just watch if you prefer), while you learn the definitive account of cool --not cool the adjective-- cool the aesthetic: The means for attaining the calm and balance of transcendence when facing difficulty, whether playing bebop or confronting racist brutality.Date: Sunday, April 14, 2013Time: 4:00 p.m.Location: The Adelson Theater, 9700 W. Hillpointe Rd in Summerlin (directions)Cost: Free ($10 voluntary contribution suggested at the door)RSVP: Reserve your spot nowReserve a signed copy of his bookRobert Farris Thompson, the legendary “Master T” of Yale’s Timothy Dwight College for a record 32 years, is a beloved figure among students and scholars. Starting with an article on Afro-Cuban dance and music published in 1958, he has devoted his career to the serious study of the art history of the Afro-Atlantic world. His “lecture” style has won over generations of students with its participatory celebration of culture and music, blended seamlessly with scholarly insight. The title for his talk is drawn from his 2011 compilation of his extensive writings on the “cool” in the culture of the Americas. His work forms an incomparable record of encounters and recognitions that began when the U.S. was still segregated and unwilling to acknowledge the existence, let alone the powers, of Black Atlantic culture. Thompson has played a leading role in gaining recognition for the Black Atlantic and making African American experiences into a subject of study at schools and universities. His vision, brilliance, commitment, and vibrant stage presence, continue to inspire students in his ever-popular courses at Yale, including African art and New York mambo.