Discover what Stamford has to offer this Autumn!
Senior School Discovery Morning
Tuesday 19 November 09:45 – 11:30
Junior School Discovery Morning
Wednesday 20 November 08:45 – 10:30
Discover what Stamford has to offer this Autumn!
Senior School Discovery Morning
Tuesday 19 November 09:45 – 11:30
Junior School Discovery Morning
Wednesday 20 November 08:45 – 10:30
Friday 4th October 2024
It was great to welcome Will Gompertz to Stamford on Thursday 3 October 2024 for the latest Stamford Lecture. His talk to over 300 people, including many of our students, was an exploration of perception and art, urging the audience to alter perceptions about the world and how we view it.
Will began by discussing his motivation to write a book about perception, focussing on how artists like William De Kooning and Georges Braque see the world and what we can learn from them. He emphasised the beauty in everyday life that often goes unnoticed due to our presumptions and the pervasive influence of technology. Reflecting on this technology, Will talked about how our reliance on devices like smartphones mediates our view of the world, making it harder to truly see and appreciate our surroundings.
He shared personal anecdotes, including his transformative experience with De Kooning's "Rosy-Fingered Dawn at Louse Point" on a visit to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and his discussions with David Hockney about the beauty of East Yorkshire. The trip to Amsterdam marked a turning point in Will’s life as, initially indifferent to art, he was profoundly moved by De Kooning's painting.
Before the lecture Will was interviewed by Year 13 students Penny and Charlie.
The two Art Scholars also introduced the lecture and oversaw the Q&A.
Will also recounted the story of David Douglas Duncan, a war photographer who, after a chance encounter with Picasso, created iconic photographs that led to a significant collaboration.
The lecture delved into various artistic movements and techniques. Will talked about cubism and the work of Georges Braque, explaining how artists represent three and four-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional canvas. He highlighted the importance of understanding the history, emotion, and development behind individual pieces of art.
One notable mention was Picasso's 1912 collage "Still Life with Chair Caning," which incorporated words to add layers of meaning, creating an illusion within an illusion. Will explained how changing the context of an artwork can alter our perception of it.
He also referenced a poignant letter written by Sol LeWitt to Eva Hesse in 1965, which inspired her to explore new artistic directions. This letter urges Hesse to cease overthinking her art and follow her heart:
“Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting… Stop it and just
DO”
Will highlighted the work of Agnes Martin, an American Scottish painter known for her emotional and intuitive approach to art. He described her process of waiting for a feeling before painting, resulting in works like the 1963 piece "Friendship," which uses layers of colour and hand-drawn lines to create a shimmering effect.
The lecture concluded with a discussion on how art transforms our perception and emotions. Will mentioned Marina Abramović's "Intimacy with Strangers" and "The Artist is Present," live works that challenge viewers to confront their feelings and perceptions in a direct and personal way. Will took the audience on a thought-provoking journey into how art shapes our understanding of reality.
Tickets for upcoming performances and events at the schools, including our drama productions, music concerts and alumni events.
