SPEAKERS SERIES 2011-2012
"From Albrecht Durer to Batman: Madness, Monsters and the Macabre"
Dr. David Bershad, Adjunct Professor, Art History, St. Mary's University College
Followed by Lighting of Tower Christmas Lights,
November 28, 2011
(November 28, 2011) - St. Mary’s University College welcomed over 180 guests to the second Speakers Series event of the 2011-2012 academic year. The evening began with an invigorating presentation by Dr. David Bershad (left), Art History Professor at St. Mary’s University College and the University of Calgary.
Dr. Bershad investigated the theme of Melancholy as it appears in the history of art, specifically concentrating on Albrecht Durer’s engraving Melancholia. He guided the
audience through 20 centuries of art in a visual odyssey which included an array of images from Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait to scenes from the comic book Batman and the movie Frankenstein.
Following Dr. Bershad’s presentation, guests were welcomed outside to the water tower to witness history in the making at St. Mary’s. In celebration of Christmas, our historic water tower has been decorated with more than 8,000 Christmas lights.
Ward 14 Alderman Peter Demong (right) was present to officially light up this significant south Calgary landmark for the first time. With help from guests counting down, Mr. Demong flipped the large black switch to light up the bright blue Christmas lights, making the tower visible for miles around.