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Winter arts at Ohio State

January 29, 2014

This season, arts abound at Ohio State. International flair, classic tales and unlimited creativity shape the winter arts offerings.


View the world through a different lens, as the Ohio State arts scene breathes new life into the doldrums of winter.

The Wexner Center for the Arts celebrates the vibrant culture of Brazil through Via Brasil, a multi-faceted exhibition showcasing Brazilian contemporary art (opening January 31). The culmination of this three-year, cross-disciplinary exploration includes Cruzamentos: Contemporary Brazilian Documentary; screenings of 33 documentary films produced in Brazil; and Cruzamentos: Contemporary Art in Brazil, 80 works spanning four galleries. “Cruzamentos,” or intersections, promotes the blending of cultures and ethnicities.

A wide selection of performing arts events and educational programs round out Via Brasil. Select Brazilian artists and filmmakers will introduce and discuss their works in person, adding a level of global perspective to the events. As Ohio State prepares to open a Global Gateway in Brazil, Via Brasil is an opportunity to experience Brazilian culture.

Shakespeare 101: An encore screening of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Richard II live broadcast is scheduled for February 20. The production is the first in the RSC’s new “Live from Stratford-upon-Avon” series, an initiative to share live productions from Shakespeare’s hometown with audiences around the world. The RSC will visit Ohio State’s Columbus campus in April to perform First Encounter: The Taming of the Shrew, a specially edited version for younger audiences. Shakespeare’s timeless work also shows up on the Lincoln Theatre stage with performances of As You Like It.

Dancing shoes: Master of Fine Arts student Jill Guyton Nee leads undergraduate dance students for the Winter Dance Concert, performed in BalletMet’s performance space. Nee’s choreography is based on humor in dance. The Spring Dance Studio Showing is planned for April in the newly renovated Sullivant Hall, cornerstone of the university’s developing Arts District.

Interpretations: Transforming from page to stage, the enthralling best-selling novel The House of Spirits follows a privileged Latin American family brought down by conflict and struggle.  Then catch students present a new work drawing from the life and contributions of internationally acclaimed French actor and mime Marcel Marceau.