ASTERISK: 2011

1.12.11

Letter to a ISOI Teacher

Dear Joan Lewin,

Congratulations on being recognized and prized as a Chosen Teacher of the Year as part of the Gestalt Educational Program as given by me. Your participation, enthusiasm, and ability to integrate your grade three curriculum with the concepts to which my workshop and lecture pertained are evidence of your integrity and the level of excellence that characterizes your work.

The atmosphere in your classroom and among your students and their parents was a pleasure for me to experience. Their responses to a theme such as Gestalt showed they were focused and able to make the connections from my words to the visual and to the creative.

Throughout the years that we have known each other and in which I have participated in a variety of in-class workshops with your students, I have been impressed with the way in which you have organized each session with me: taking into account your students’ varying levels of ability, developmental instructional practices or strategies, and the most appropriate arrangement of the classroom.

I look forward to our working together as we explore with your students the world of visual arts.

Thank you for inviting me to develop the Gestalt activities into your classroom and work with this year’s students and their parents as part of my fifteen lecture series as sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland and Embassy of Germany.

Regards,
Mariano Akerman

Reference. Activities developed together at ISOI between 2010 and 2011:
1. Exploring Pictures is Cool, 16.3.2010
2. Argentinean Art, 25.10.2010
3. Pakistan Art Workshop, 10.3.2011
4. Gestalt in the Collage, 26.10.2011

30.11.11

Letter from the Swiss Ambassador

Dear Mr. Akerman,

On behalf of the Embassy of Switzerland I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for the time you dedicated in making the "Gestalt Program" a success. The series of 15 lectures, were truly memorable.

While focusing on the Swiss-German contribution to the theory of art and design, the program reinforced our commitment to open a window of opportunity for Pakistani audiences to enjoy and understand the contribution of Swiss-German architecture and design in the 20th century.

The opening of the Gestalt Program at the Swiss Embassy was attended by numerous representatives of the media. It was encouraging to see so much participation by lecturers at educational institutions. I am pleased that the program received good media coverage and the audience reaction was clearly enthusiastic.

The lectures presented at both Embassies received wide applause. It is indeed a great achievement that 2,500 students participated in the lecture series. The enthusiastic response of teachers and students alike was evident from the fact that you received 247 entries for the Gestalt Collage Contest. The success of the entire event testifies to the effectiveness of your presentation and exceptional teaching ability.

During the closing lecture at the German Embassy, I was impressed by the works of the young artists of Pakistan. I really appreciate your initiative and encouragement in granting prizes to the winning students in the collage contest. I believe this appreciation and recognition will greatly boost the confidence of these young Pakistani students.

I look forward to working with you in the near future and wish you all the best.

Yours sincerely,

THE AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND

Christoph Bubb

Embassy of Switzerland, Islamabad

29.11.11

Gestalt Educational Programme concludes with Lecture and 27 Prizes

"Gestalt Educational Programme Concludes"
International The News, Pakistan, 28.11.2011, City News, p. 14

Mercedes Checa, Troya Roy, Mariano Akerman, Joan Lewin, Jenny Naseem

Our correspondent
Islamabad

The final lecture of the Gestalt Educational Programme (GEP), which was initiated about a month ago, was delivered by Argentinean architect and art historian, artist Mariano Akerman at the auditorium of the German Embassy and attended by a number of students, teachers and art aficionados.
The event also included a prize awarding ceremony to those who won the collage competition and the teachers who helped in making the programme, chalked out by the speaker, a success. The number of participants who took part in the GEP was 2,500 and it was sponsored by the embassies of Switzerland and Germany.
Titled "Functionalism and International Style in Modern Times" the lecture traced the history of the Bauhaus, a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts and was famous for the approach to modern design that it publicised and taught. It operated from 1919 to 1933.

Gropius & Meyer, Bauhaus, Dessau, 1925

At that time the German term Bauhaus, literally "house of construction" stood for "School of Building." The school existed in three German cities (Weimar, Dessau and Berlin), under three different architect-directors: Walter Gropius from 1919 to 1928, Hannes Meyer from 1928 to 1930, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from 1928 to 1933 [...]. The basic concept of the Bauhaus school was simplicity [...]. [The educational institution] was founded at a time when the German Zeitgeist (spirit of the times) had turned from emotional Expressionism to matter-of-fact New Objectivity. An entire group of working architects, including Erich Mendelsohn, [...] turned away from fanciful experimentation and moved toward rational, functional, sometimes standardized building and items of daily use designed on clean and simple lines.

Studied in detail: Paul Klee's Insula dulcamara, 1938

The institutions which took part in the Programme include Islamabad College for Girls; Postgraduate College for Women, Rawalpindi; COMSATS University; Alliance Française d'Islamabad; Lahore Grammar School; International School Islamabad and National University of Modern Languages. Twelve Students received prizes for best collage [entries] in the competition: Rabeea Ahmed; Haider Abbas; Najeha Rashid; Sundas Sana; Aisha Saeed; Saba Malik; Ikram Haider; Sawera Gull; Anum Hamid; Saira Solangi; Janita Fatima and Saadia Ashrad. The teachers who were acknowledged were Hannyia Abid; Farah Nez Sheikh; Mercedes Checa; Saba Mansur; Mamoona Kahn; Abeera Zahid; Joan Lewin-Pohl; Saba Faisal; Troya Roy; Akifa Imtiaz and Huma Koya. [A special Token of Friendship was granted to Jenny Naseem, an unconditional supporter of the Gestalt Program]. Three institutions also received prizes: Islamabad College for Girls; Postgraduate College for Women, Rawalpindi and COMSATS University.
lecture over, prizes were distributed and Mariano Akerman thanked the Swiss and German envoys and embassies for their help and cooperation before refreshments were served.
Gestalt is a German word for "form" or "shape." It is used in English to refer to a concept of "wholeness."
The series of fifteen lectures explored the themes of Gestalt theory and Bauhaus design in the 1920's and aimed at sharing experience and reconsidering the interplay between tradition and modernisation.

"Gestalt Educational Programme Concludes," International The News, Pakistan, 28.11.2011, City News, p. 14
Ref. Mariano Akerman, Lecture on Modern Art and Collage Contest Prizes
German Embassy, Islamabad, 22.11.11

References
1. Gestalt Program Announcement and Brochure Online, 30.9.11
2. Islamabad, Swiss Embassy, Mariano Akerman: Bridging Cultures (excerpts from a note by Sara Mahmood), press release, 20.10.11
3. Islamabad, German Embassy in Islamabad, Integrated Whole, Experimentation and Identity, Gestalt: Theory and Design in the New Objectivity Age, 25.10.2011, ill.
4. Islamabad, Deutsche Auslandsvertretungen in Pakistan, Integriertes Ganzes, Experimentieren und Identität, Gestalt: Thorie und Gestaltung im Zeitalter der neuen Sachlichkeit, 28.10.2011, ill.
5. Ishrat Hyatt, Gestalt Programme Launching Event, International The News, 22 October 2011, City News, p. 19 (online).
6. "The Ambassador of Switzerland ... held Reception Lecture of the Gestalt Educational Program held by Architect Mariano Akerman," Diplomatic Focus, Pakistan, Vol. II, Issue 8-9, October-November 2011, p. 70, photographs by Shabbir Hussain
7. SwissPak Association
8. Almas Haider Naqvi, "Other is the Same Side of the Picture," Dataline Islamabad, 22 October 2011, p. 4, ill.
9. Maqbool Malik, "Tradition meets Modernisation," The Nation, Pakistan, 24 October 2011
10. Gauhar Zahid Malik, Embassies of Switzerland and Germany present 'Gestalt': Theory and Design in the Age of New Objectivity, Fifteen Educational Lectures by Mariano Akerman, Architect and Art Historian, Pakistan Observer, Pakistan, 3.11.11, p. 9, ill.
Ilona Yusuf, Enhancing Perception: The Gestalt Lectures and Collage Competition, Blue Chip Magazine, Issue 87, Volume 8, Islamabad, January-February 2012, pp. 16-19, ill.
Sara Mahmood, Mariano Akerman: Bridging Cultures, Blue Chip Magazine, Issue 87, Volume 8, Islamabad, January-February 2012, pp. 20-24, ill.

23.11.11

The Gestalt Educational Program: Facts

by Mariano Akerman

2,400 Gestalt brochures printed and given
150 press release exemplars printed and given
2,500 participants
2 embassies
7 educational Institutions
12 lectures in English, French, and Spanish
3 training sessions and workshops
1 collage exhibition, with critique
247 entries received in the Gestalt Collage Contest
50 collage entries selected
27 bags with prizes given to students, teachers, and institutions
1 virtual collage exhibition, with critique
12 collages prized
12 teachers and colleagues prized
3 educational institutions prized

12 prized students:
Rabeea Ahmed
Haider Abbas
Najeha Rashid
Sundas Sana
Aisha Saeed
Saba Malik
Ikram Haider
Sawera PGCW
Anum Hamid
Saira Solangi
Janita Fatima
Saadia Ashrad

12 prized teachers and colleagues:
Hannyia Abid
Farah Nez Sheikh
Mercedes Checa
Saba Mansur
Mamoona Kahn
Abeera Zahid
Joan Lewin-Pohl
Saba Faisal
Troya Roy
Akifa Imtiaz
Huma Koya
Jenny Naseem

3 prized institutions
Islamabad College for Girls
Post-Graduate College for Women Rawalpindi
COMSATS University

22.11.11

Gestalt Collage Competition Winners

Nine artworks selected by Mariano Akerman. From a total of 425 entries received, the following works were chosen as the best and subsequently prized at the German Embassy Auditorium, Islamabad, November 2011

Haider Abbas, 21, COMSATS University: Gestalt

Saba Malik, 26, Alliance Française: Positivity

Janita Fatima, 16, ICG: This Fall

Saadia Arshad, 20, ICG: Mystic Maze

Rabeea Ahmed, 18, ICG: Reality vs Appearance

Saweera Gull, 19, Post-Graduate College for Women: Aesthetics

Anum Hamid, 20, COMSATS University: Explore

Najeha Rashid, 17, Lahore Grammar School: Lahore, The Evolving Culture

Ikram Haider, 24, NUML: Todo o Nada (Everything or Nothing at All)

Gestalt Educational Program

Slideshare © Mariano Akerman

Mariano Akerman, Prickly Matters II, 2009
collage, 27.5 x 19 cm. Artist's collection

Prickly Matters recalls the mood described by T.S. Eliot in his "Hollow Men" of 1925. The collage has also a source of inspiration in a question rised by William Shakespeare in 1596-8: "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" (The Merchant of Venice, act 3, sc. 1).

Gestalt: Theory and Design in the Age of New Objectivity. A Series of Educational Lectures, October-November 2011

Mariano Akerman, Eye, digital image, 2011

Gestalt Program Resources
The Gestalt Program ; Programa Educativo Gestalt
Islamabad, German Embassy in Islamabad, Integrated Whole, Experimentation and Identity, Gestalt: Theory and Design in the New Objectivity Age, 25.10.2011

Bridging Cultures

Islamabad, Deutsche Auslandsvertretungen in Pakistan, Integriertes Ganzes, Experimentieren und Identität, Gestalt: Theorie und Gestaltung im Zeitalter der neuen Sachlichkeit, 28.10.2011
Sara Mahmood, Mariano Akerman: Bridging Cultures, 28.9.2011
Ishrat Hyatt, Gestalt Programme Launching Event, International The News, 22 October 2011, City News, p. 19 (S).
"The Ambassador of Switzerland ... held Reception Lecture of the Gestalt Educational Program held by Architect Mariano Akerman," Diplomatic Focus, Pakistan, Vol. II, Issue 8-9, October-November 2011, p. 70, photographs by Shabbir Hussain.
SwissPak Association
Almas Haider Naqvi, "Other is the Same Side of the Picture," Dataline Islamabad, 22 October 2011, p. 4
Maqbool Malik, "Tradition meets Modernisation," The Nation, Pakistan, 24 October 2011

Pakistan Observer, 3.11.11

Gauhar Zahid Malik, Embassies of Switzerland and Germany present 'Gestalt': Theory and Design in the Age of New Objectivity, Fifteen Educational Lectures by Mariano Akerman, Architect and Art Historian, Pakistan Observer, Pakistan, 3.11.11, p. 9.
Mariano Akerman, A Visual History of Gestalt Theory, 8.11.11
_____. Gestalt Program Pics and Musings, 30.10.11
Ilona Yusuf, Enhancing Perception: The Gestalt Lectures and Collage Competition, Blue Chip Magazine, Issue 87, Volume 8, Islamabad, January-February 2012, pp. 16-19, ill.
Sara Mahmood, Mariano Akerman: Bridging Cultures, Blue Chip Magazine, Issue 87, Volume 8, Islamabad, January-February 2012, pp. 20-24, ill.

Gestalt Principles. 12 Examples. A composition by Mariano Akerman
The whole is different from the sum of its parts
Theory of Perceptual Organization

21.11.11

An Appreciation Letter from ISOI

To Whom It May Concern:

Mr. Mariano Akerman offered a seminar and workshop to the grade three class at the International School of Islamabad as part of the GESTALT PROGRAM. Mr. Akerman’s oral presentation started off with a brief introduction as to the purpose of his being with us in the classroom. Mariano was able to present concepts and ideas that were developmentally appropriate for eight and nine year old children. All details about the collage contest were discussed so as to be understood by both students and parents who were in attendance. During the workshop, all students and parents actively participated in creating a collage of their own. The results were evidence of the effectiveness of Mariano Akerman's teaching ability to translate and connect the topic to a child's reality. Children completed their activity by writing, using their personal voice, a paragraph that described their art work. Yet another opportunity where Mariano was able to allow children to make connections from art to thought to writing their thoughts down on paper.

The program brochure met the criteria of Mariano’s lecture on part/whole; GESTALT and function. His use of graphics and writing in black and white was pleasant to the eye as well as being functional and to the point. All topics that were discussed were stated in the brochure that allowed for ‘just enough’ curiosity on the part of the reader.

The use of media and technology as was done in the PowerPoint/visual presentation showed how versatile Mariano Akerman is. I particularly appreciated the use of graphics and highlighting; both effectively used to achieve the purpose of creating focal points.

In closing, Mariano’s lectures and workshops have always surpassed any expectations on our part. He is a true professional who can adapt, adjust, and accommodate prior to and throughout his presentations so that his audience is made to feel comfortable. His thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics that he chooses create an atmosphere of pure pleasure for his audience. Mariano is accepting of all points of view; allowing for audience participation in a safe environment. He is a master of what he does.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Joan Pohl Lewin, Ed.M.

17.11.11

French Modern Art

Its developments from Eugène Delacroix to Henri Matisse
A conference by Mariano Akerman
Alliance Française d'Islamabad, Pakistan, 17.11.2011

Delacroix: Marianne (detail from Liberty leading the People), 1830

Art, Freedom and Modernity. Modern art owes much to France, for it was born and developed there. In the country of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" many artists expressed themselves with unusual inventiveness: local and foreign artists worked together to create original, modern art.
Because of their success, modern art has become some kind of synonym with French art today.
The French expression raison d’être refers to a "reason for being" or to a "reason for existing." Yet, in art there are many of them. Along the art-education lectures, Mariano Akerman also speaks of Raisons d’être, in plural.

Claude Monet, Impression, 1872

Mariano Akerman, Painter and Art Historian. Born in Buenos Aires in 1963, Mariano Akerman studied at the School of Architecture of Universidad de Belgrano (Argentina), completing his formation with a prized graduation project on the limits and space in modern architecture (1987). Abroad from 1991 onwards, he studied modern art and researched the paintings of Francis Bacon and the architectural projects of Louis I. Kahn. He has developed the series of educational lectures In the Spirit of Linnaeus (Philippines, 2007), Discovering Belgian Art and Raisons d’être (Pakistan, 2008-10). Specializing in visual communication, Akerman is an experienced educator. He lectures on modern art at renowned institutions such as the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires and the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. An artist himself, Akerman exhibits his paintings and collages since 1979 onwards. He has been awarded with more than twelve major international prizes.

French Modern Art

Slideshare © Mariano Akerman

Letter of Appreciation. Dear Mariano Akerman, On behalf of Alliance Française d'Islamabad, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution for the promotion of French culture.
Your lecture was not only a very fruitful contribution for our cultural activities, but also was very informative and knowledgeable about Modern French Art.
Thank You. Dr. Muhammad Azam Chaudhary, AFI President

Peinture fauviste de Matisse

Art, Liberté et Modernité. L’art moderne doit beaucoup à la France dans la mesure où c’est dans ce pays qu’il est apparu et s’est développé. Sous la devise française « Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité », beaucoup d’artistes ont pu s’exprimer avec originalité. À Paris, des artistes locaux et d’autres d’origines diverses travaillent ensemble et créent un art libre, au point où le vocable d’art moderne est presque devenu synonyme d’art français.
L’expression française raison d’être signifie autant une raison pour laquelle vivre qu’une raison pour laquelle exister. Mais dans l’art cohabitent tant de raisons. Aussi le cycle de conférences de Mariano Akerman parle-t-il des Raisons d’être, au pluriel.

Georges Lacombe, Marine bleue, Effet de vagues, 1893
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rennes

Mariano Akerman, Peintre et Historien d’Art. Né à Buenos Aires, en Argentine, en 1963, Mariano Akerman a étudié à l’École d’Architecture de l’Universidad de Belgrano et y a validé sa formation en 1987 avec un projet sur les limites et l’espace en architecture moderne. À l’étranger, depuis 1991, il a orienté ses recherches sur l’oeuvre du peintre Francis Bacon et sur celle de l’architecte Louis I. Kahn. Par ailleurs, Mariano Akerman a présenté une série de conférences éducatives l’une sur l’oeuvre du naturaliste suédois Carl Linné (Philippines, 2007) et deux autres intitulées À la découverte de l’art belge et Raisons d’être (Pakistan 2008-10). Spécialiste en communication visuelle, Akerman est un éducateur expérimenté s’intéressant particulièrement à l’art moderne au sujet duquel il a donné des conférences dans des institutions renommées telles que le Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes à Buenos Aires et le National Museum of the Philippines à Manille. Également peintre, Mariano Akerman expose ses peintures et collages depuis 1979. Il a reçu plus de douze prix et distinctions internationales.