I have finally entered into the 21st century, and have created a Flickr account! On it you can view all the various photos that I have taken on my trips with the History of Art department to Paris, and some other own personal snaps that I have taken when I have been out and about around the world! Click on this link to view my photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/118377543@N07/
In Week Ten, to see out the Spring Term in style, the Art History Society will be holding an exclusive Cocktail Party in at Sotano in York. Sotano is an awesome underground bar, specialising in inventive cocktails and craft beers from around the world. The bar are also creating a one-off menu for us, and their usual concoctions will also be available should you be in the mood to experiment further – there is definitely no excuse to miss this! So come and join fellow art historians or art lovers, on on Tuesday 11th March, from 9pm until midnight. Tickets are £8 per person, which includes a cocktail! To get your ticket, check out the Facebook page for times when members of the society will be seeing tickets at the Vanbrugh Stalls over the next two weeks. Email arthistory@yusu.org with any questions or requests. For more information and the latest update, visit the Art History Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/events/233462066841974/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
The Norman Rea Gallery in Derwent College is currently hosting a series of photographs by Emily Garthwaite. Portraying various scenes such as portraits and landscape photographs, this series captures a poignant and personal journey around India. In September 2013, Garthwaite embarked on a ‘pilgrimage’ around India to follow her family history. Garthwaite travels with her camera and her grandmother’s ashes in order to visually capture the spiritual and personal journey through India to choose the perfect spot to scatter these ashes. Garthwaite invites us on this poignant journey through her identity and heritage. The exhibition runs from February 24th to March 7th. I haven’t seen the exhibition yet, but plan on going next week and hopefully will aim to write a brief review of it. This is the last exhibition of the term, so don’t miss out! If you want to learn a bit more about the exhibition check out the Norman Rea Gallery website: http://www.thenormanreagallery.co.uk/laura-elias.html
So as you guess if you’ve been walking around campus, it’s that time of year again – the YUSU Elections. The campus is currently covered in various cardboard signs, attempting to get students to vote for the various candidates. I’m not gonna lie, I have found the signs a little boring – they all look the same, and it doesn’t look like much time was spent on them. Quantity over quality I guess. Nevertheless, it is not my role here to voice my likes and dislikes of the campaigns, or who I think you should vote for, but to encourage you all to vote anyway! Head to yusu.org/vote to vote for the candidates that you think will bring the best to the university. It really makes a huge difference having a great team supporting the needs of students, so every vote is vital. If you’re having a tough time deciding who to vote for check out the YUSU website (here) which has lots of information, or check out the various student-run papers such as Nouse and York …
After a long and tiring previous day, we had to get up extra early in order to catch our morning train to Chartres. Located outside of Paris, our journey consisted of traveling on a double-decker train! (I’ve been on such trains before, but every time I go on one I still act like a small child getting all exciting at experiencing something different!) When we arrived at Chartres, we were welcomed by a hazy morning mist which surrounded the top of the cathedral’s western towers. The photo above does not do the scene we saw justice, it was truly magical. The first thing on our agenda of the day, was heading down to the crypt to have a guided tour. Despite the tour being in French (and my French is not so good!), it was still really interesting to have a look at the previous Romanesque chapels. The crypt of Chartres Cathedral was once used as a hospital, so it seems somewhat surreal to imagine ill people resting below (the crypt was not the warmest …
I am officially back from Paris, and what an amazing time I had! Although we were only there for two full days, we managed to pack a lot of things to do within the time that was available to us. The only thing to note about Paris in February is how cold it is! The weather wasn’t quite amazing, yet that did not dampen our spirits! (Pardon the pun about the rainy whether…) Wednesday was the first ‘official’ day of our trip here in Paris. We were very lucky to be given a late start that morning, which meant that we got the chance to do some exploring of the city before we got to grips with the Virgin Mary in Paris. I headed to the Sainte-Chapelle as I am currently researching/writing about it for my dissertation! It was great to get back in there this morning – I absolutely love it, and if you haven’t been you must! I always have a very transcendental experience whenever I enter the chapel. Below are a few …
Róisín Astell 