BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Beauty &\; The Grotesque - Jose Hernandez\, Real Academia de Be llas Artes de San Fernando (Madrid) DTSTART:20110128T173000Z DTEND:20110128T183000Z UID:TALK26419@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:Janet Gibson DESCRIPTION:Biography\n\nJose Hernandez alternates his studies between the Spanish Institute and the French School in Tangiers. He becomes intereste d in mathematics and competitive sport. He enjoys long distance running an d draws relentlessly. After a fruitful period in which he draws and paints from life\, he becomes interested in experimenting with different paintin g materials\, which leads him to a wider knowledge of a number of differen t oil and watercolour techniques. He exhibits his first works at the Libra irie des Colonnes in Tangiers in 1962\, and receives support from friends\ , artists and writers who encourage him to explore new fields in the arts. In 1964 he settles in Madrid\, where he currently works and resides. It i s in Madrid that he presents his first solo exhibition in 1966 at Galería Edurne. Since then numerous exhibitions both within and outside of Spain have taken place. In 1967 he publishes his first etchings and lithographs. His work as an engraver\, which complements his painting leads him to pro duce many bibliophilic books in collaboration with writers and poets\, con temporaries and classics. Since 1971 he has also completed a considerable number of projects as an illustrator of widely distributed books. Since 19 74 he has collaborated in a number of theatrical projects as a stage and c ostume designer for both classic and contemporary plays. At present\, he i s a voted-in member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando i n Madrid\, he has been awarded the Honorary Medal of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Santa Isabel de Hungría in Seville\, and is a member of t he European Academy of Sciences\, Fine Arts and Literature in Paris. \n\nA bstract\n\nSpanish artist José Hernández discusses the concepts of beaut y\, ugliness\, and the grotesque through the lens of his own goals and des ires as an artist. He raises the question of the ambiguity of beauty as h aving multiple portrayals and yet remaining constant. He also explores th e confounds of ugliness and its association with evil something that repel s and attracts as well as sometimes defining beauty. The discussion takes place while reminding us that the grotesque emerged as an aspect of art s imultaneously with beauty from the caves of imagination and creativity. LOCATION:LMH\, Lady Mitchell Hall END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR