Brenda Jones

As a teacher who truly believes in a system of enlightenment. The Iowa State University, and College of Design Rome Program has so many attributes that it has given the College of Design a more progress and impressive look for the 21 Century.

I have been ask the question why Italy and Rome? For many Painters, and myself it is the beginning of Western Art. For others it is a cultural experience of Form, Space and time it becomes an enigma for the present.

 What we call Italy has, assimilated so many different Cultures through out its Centuries that it has become one of the Worlds living Museums for Creative Vision. I have been very lucky to be apart of the creation of The College of Design Rome Program. This Program has impress on so many students a broader look and attitude toward a persons functions within a different Culture. But the Benefit of living in a Culture that has visual images that surrounds every working space.  That many become thoroughly transformed in a way that helps them to confront many problems of day-to-day difference. Not only within the Culture but within there peer group. If you ask me they will travel with a greater regard of others and take back to the States and into their day-to-day lives as well as their future professional life.

Some of the places and images viewed this summer started with The Capital line Museum to the Borgues ending with Gallery/ Museum Doria Pamphili, viewing the works of young artists from the 15-16 century, we began by concentrating on Great Italian Artists, such as Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian each student was required to adopt and Artist for the entire period using the colors of a Painter. We began with the idea of invencione by reinterpreting what is already in front of us example, Michelangelo’s David, contemplating Gian Lorenzo Bernini, David in the act of the kill or Donatello’s, David after the kill yet all images were of David. Collaborating with the Art Historian, Professor Terry Kirk, the students had an overlapping of creative structure base on analytical ideas of color, space and formed. We continue in Florence at the Uffizi as well as the Academia, from there to Venice to the Biennial, Peggy Guggenheim Museum to the Academic looking at 12- the 18-century art that eventually contemporary images.

Many of the Places the students view was to connect with artists they adopted. By the very end of the summer program we made a journey to Assisi to look and sketch the Frescoes of Giotto and Cimabue which many consider the beginning of Western Art .To end the Summer Program for sites we attended a workshop in Poggio Nativo, a beautiful hill town, with World renowned Contemporary Artist Vittorio Fava. The final critique was also an exhibition of the students work.

By Fall of 2009, we continue to explore side trips such has Assisi, and Florence and to continue working with Vittorio Favas well as Museums, Galleries and Churches.