Fox Valley lecture to address the Nazis and art

Submitted by Fox Valley Associates of The Art Institute

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, join the Fox Valley Associates of The Art Institute of Chicago for a lecture on “The Art; Madness Becomes Method, The Nazis Take on Modernism” at Dunham Riding Club, Army Trail and Dunham roads in Wayne.

“Madness becomes method” was one of many derogatory phrases used to denigrate examples of German avant-garde art displayed in the notorious Nazi-organized exhibition “Degenerate Art,” which singled out artists such as Max Beckmann, Vasily Kandinsky, and Paul Klee for public ridicule. Looking back, these same words more accurately describe the Nazis’ vociferous yet systematic attack on cultural expression. In this lecture, you will learn about the experiences of artists, many represented in the Art Institute’s collection, who found themselves in the cross hairs of the Nazis.

The lecturer is Ginny Voedisch whose specialty is German art from The Art Institute of Chicago.

It begins at 10 a.m. with coffee, followed by the lecture at 10:30 a.m. and lunch at noon.

Cost for members is $35 for the lunch and lecture, or $15 for the lecture only. Cost for guests is $50 for lunch and lecture or $30 for lecture only.

The reservation deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 8, (check payable to the Art Institute of Chicago). For information and reservations, contact Kristin Behmer at (630) 406-0460.