Presence of Absence - Gordon Parks: An Empathic Lens

Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective with the Turtle Island Quartet in concert with visual artistry by the UT Dallas ATEC 3D Studio Lightsquad under the direction of Professor Andrew F. Scott.

Presence of Absence
Gordon Parks: An Empathic Lens

Sat. Apr. 9, 2022, 8:00 PM

Buy Tickets

Tickets are FREE and required for the UTD Community. Students present their Comet Card at the door.

Faculty and Staff contact 972-883-2765 to reserve your tickets. Additional tickets are available at the Box Office on April 9, at 7 PM.

Edith O’Donnell Arts & Technology Building (ATC), ATC 1.102
800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021

About: The title reflects a thoughtful consideration of influences. It combines the title of Terence Blanchard’s current album, whose music will be featured during the performance. The album is a loving tribute to Wayne Shorter. It illuminates the challenge, discipline, beauty, and spirituality embodied in Shorter’s life as expressed in his music. Likewise, it testifies to the continued impact that Gordon Park’s life and work have on both society and the artists who seek to center social justice, the beauty of humanity, and hope in their work.

Empathy was the superpower at the center of Gordon Park’s life and interactions with his subject matter and craft. His ability to see the world critically with humility, grace, and curiosity allowed him to capture the essence of the human experience in all of its facets. Empathizing is the starting point of any design process or creative endeavor. As a collaborative group, we adopt this attitude as the founding principal, theme, and attitude for this project. The artwork we create is a thoughtful consideration of the subjects and their relationship to each other and the wider society. Using a synectic framework, we will bring these artists into a broader consideration through deep connections that are relevant to our time. More importantly, this project is an example of how creative pedagogy can be advanced when modern technology amplifies empathetic engagement.

This concert premieres at the McCain Auditorium at Kansas State University on April 7, 2022. It is offered in conjunction with the Kansas State University exhibition Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come, open through May 28, 2022 at the Beach Museum of Art.  It is part of the Beach Museum of Art’s annual program series, Art in Motion. On April 6, 2022, Terence Blanchard, Andrew F. Scott, and Kevin Willmont will participate in Art matters Now: Three Artists Reflect. A conversation on the McCain Auditorium stage in conjunction with the Gordon Parks Exhibition. On April 9, 2022 the concert comes to the ATEC Lecture Hall in the Edith O’Donnell Art and Technology Building on the campus at the University of Texas at Dallas.

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The performance is made possible with major support from the Gordon Parks Foundation, The University of Texas at Dallas School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC), The School of Arts and Humanities, and the Office of Research Accelerator Award. Kansas State University provides support through the Weary Family Foundation, the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies, and the Creativity Illuminated Fund. Support provided by Art Bridges.
Persons with disabilities may submit a request for accommodations to participate in this event at UT Dallas’ ADA website. You may also call (972) 883-5331 for assistance or send an email to ADACoordinator@utdallas.edu. All requests should be received no later than 2 business days prior to the event.