Curating Basque Culture with Anne

Anne, J-1 Intern at Basque Museum and Cultural Center

Have you ever heard of the Basque Country? Well, in case you haven’t – it’s an autonomous region nestled between northern Spain and southern France, bordering the Bay of Biscay. The Basques are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe, known for their rich cultural identity and unique language called Euskara.

Now, let’s travel from Europe all the way to Boise, Idaho, where we will find the Basque Museum and Cultural Center (BMCC). Founded in 1985, the BMCC exists to “preserve, promote, and perpetuate Basque history and culture.” The BMCC has been a longtime partner of our Cultural Exchange Programs, hosting many J-1 visitors from the Basque Country over the years.

In today’s blog, we’re highlighting Anne González Aspiazu, a J-1 curatorial intern at the BMCC. Her program, which comes to an end in December, has already been packed full of great experiences!

Anne, J-1 Intern at Basque Museum and Cultural Center

What have you been working on so far during your time at the BMCC?
My main responsibilities consist of helping to manage the collection of the BMCC, cataloging photographs, documents, archives and objects belonging to the museum, generally donated by Basque families settled in Boise. To do this, I have been part of the entire process: obtaining the photographs while being in direct contact with the families, digitizing them and being able to put them in the database once the families have identified the people, places and dates of the photographs. Additionally, I am also working on some designs for some children’s t-shirts so they can sell them at the museum. (Seen in the photo below!)

What is something you’re looking forward to during the rest of your program?
Starting this summer I will begin curating an exhibition in one of the museum’s spaces, which is very exciting. This, for me, is a professional achievement, since I have already curated exhibitions but never alone.

 

Anne J-1 Intern, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, T shirt design

What is it like to see the Basque influence in an American city?
It is very interesting to see how American and Basque culture created strong ties that endure to this day. I find it fascinating to meet people with Basque surnames and hear them speak Basque with an American accent. I think what happens in Boise is something unique.

Anne’s supervisor, Amaya Herrera, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, also shared her thoughts about Anne’s program.

She joined Boise’s local Basque dancing group, the Oinkari Basque Dancers, and attends their practices, and accompanies them to local festivals and performances. We usually joke – Anne had to come all the way to the United States to learn how to Basque dance! Anne has gone above and beyond during her time at the BMCC; she has excelled at every task we have assigned her. She is attentive to detail, organized, and a hard-worker. She is always ready to learn, eager to help, and is a joy to work with.

Anne J-1 Intern at Basque Museum and Cultural Center

We’re glad to see you’re having such a great time, Anne!

If you’d like us to highlight your own J-1 story, send us an email.

Alumni Spotlight: André Onofre Limírio Chaves

André posing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, leaning against a barrier with his left arm and holding his right hand in the air, showing excitement.

We love catching up with our wonderful J-1 exchange visitors and hearing about how their programs impacted their lives and careers. Today, we are excited to share our J-1 scholar, André’s, experience. André is a Doctoral student in Science and Culture in History at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. With plenty of passion and experience in the museum and cultural spaces, Andre landed himself a very exciting curatorial internship at The Frick Collection in the spring of 2023.

What were some projects you worked on during your time at The Frick?
My main task was to organize the documentation and published material on the Spanish painting collection. My supervisor was putting together a new catalog about these paintings so I had the opportunity to study and research the works of Francisco Goya and El Greco. I carried out research in institution’s archive and also in the Frick Art Reference Library. I was able to organize and research documents and bibliographical materials for four paintings.

Were you able to visit other cultural institutions around New York?
I had the opportunity to visit the best museums and galleries in New York. I visited Neue Galerie, The Met, Jewish Museum, Guggenheim, Sotheby’s, TEFAF, Brooklyn Museum, Whitney Museum, Natural History Museum, New York Historical Society, Spanish Society, MoMa, and Morgan Library. My first time walking at the Central Park, seeing The Met and other museums was so important for me, so special. My favorite part of The Met is the American Wing, as I got to see how American art has developed from the colonial period to the present day.

 

André posing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, leaning against a barrier with his left arm and holding his right hand in the air, showing excitement.
Andre standing between two Egyptian statues.

Do you have a favorite moment or experience from your program?
My favorite moments were when I went to Sotheby’s auction house and the TEFAF Art Fair, where I could understand how the art market in NY is, the role of researchers in this process, and being able to see incredible works of art. My second favorite moment was my visit to the exhibition “Juan de Pareja Afro Hispanic Painter” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the entire curatorial and educational team had a guided tour with the curator of the exhibition. In such a way, I was able to understand the concept of the exhibition from the beginning to the end, observing the role of the curators in the creation of the exhibitions.

What is one of the most exciting things you learned?
I had the opportunity to learn from the best curators in the USA, who gave me tips on how to organize an art exhibition, how to describe the objects, how to read a painting in order to understand the compositions, the state of conservation, and also the artists’ intentions. I learned a lot with The Frick’s curators. For me, who lives in a country with few museums of European art, it was an enriching and unique experience, as it is a way of understanding art beyond the academic world.

 

André looking at a painting.

Since the end of his program almost one year ago, André is back in his home country of Brazil, in Belo Horizonte. He is in the last few months of his PhD while also working as a document historian at the Minas Gerais Court Archive. At 7 years old, the archive is relatively new.

He is using his experience and new knowledge from his internship to create catalogues, videos, articles, and social media posts to publicize their archive and share them with the public.

“A lot of important documents from 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries were lost because of improper care or bad conditions or simply being thrown away. Professionals decided to create a space to preserve and organize these documents. It’s important to show Brazilians and international researchers the importance of these documents and why they should be saved because they hold an important piece of Brazilian history.”

Thank you for talking with us, André! We loved hearing about the important work you are doing to preserve and share history through art.

Want to share your story with us? Send us an email to get started!

When Science Meets Art: Conserving Asian Paintings with Yu-Ting

Tucked away between the busy streets of Washington D.C. is the small but mighty Nishio Conservation Studio. This studio, which was been comfortably operating in their custom-made lofted space since 1995, combines aspects of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern Western science to provide the highest quality conservation work for their clients. Focusing primarily on conserving Asian paintings, folding screens (called byōbu), and hanging scrolls (called kakemono), the artists at Nishio’s Studio bring these artworks back to life with the utmost care and vibrancy.

Yu-Ting Hsu is a student at the Graduate Institute of Conservation of Cultural Relic and Museology at Tainan National University of Arts in Taiwan. Her specialization is in Conservation of Paper and Asian Paintings, making Nishio’s studio the perfect place for her J-1 visa program. During her internship, she learned how to approach conservation in a professional setting and how to examine and prepare paintings for treatment by making starch paste, cutting papers, and cleaning brushes. For her final project, she even made her own Japanese style scroll! When Yu-Ting was not on site at Nishio’s, she explored hiking trails in Virginia and visited the many free museums that D.C. has to offer.

Before the end of the program, the Cultural Exchange Programs team was able to visit with Yu-Ting at Nishio’s for a full day of conservation education. Did you know that in order to achieve rich blue and green colors on byōbu, artists would use crushed azurite and malachite? Now you do! Scroll on to see what else Yu-Ting shared with us.

What was a project you enjoyed working on during your program?
There is a four-panel screen from Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA). The artist is Chiura Obata. The object was in poor condition. The screen had spilt into two sections. Overall discoloration was present in the paper and foxing spots* were present throughout the panels. I took part in the whole process of conservation of the four-panel screen. We started with removing the painting from wooden border, then removing backing paper. After consolidating the color, we bleached the foxing spots and washed the painting. In the mid-October, conservators and curators from the UMFA visited studio to check the four-panel screen. They were satisfied with the after-treatment condition!

*Foxing spots are brown and rust colored spots that appear on old paper. If the paper has a certain level of iron or other substances present in it, exposure to a specific temperature and humidity will create the foxing.

What was an interesting new skill you learned on the job?
My host taught me how to make a Japanese hanging scroll. I learned a lot of Japanese mounting knowledge from the panel screen and Japanese hanging scroll, which I don’t have opportunities to learn in Taiwan. For example, the fiber of Japanese paper is longer than Chinese paper, so there are different ways in backing the paper for mounting.

What did you learn about the arts culture in America? What was your favorite cultural activity?
I had visited a lot museum, like National Gallery of Arts, Freer Gallery of Arts, and The Kreeger Museum. I saw collections that I had not seen it before. My host had arranged for me to visit the conservation lab at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Those experiences helped me to get more information not only conservation cases but also the network.

The most impressive [activity] was the concert at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. My host is involved in a band and he invited me to the performance. My favorite song in the concert was “Moon River”. I really enjoyed it!

 

 

Want to learn more about byōbu? Check out this video on the history of Japanese folding screens, directly from Nishio's Studio!

Alumni Spotlight: Amy Bruning

Welcome to our first alumni spotlight of 2023! We are thrilled to feature J-1 research scholar, Amy Bruning, from Scotland. Amy is a mixed media artist who currently lives in Finland where she is pursuing her Master’s degree in animation. From August 2021 until May 2022, she participated in an Artists-in-Residency (AIR) program at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute (MWPAI) and within the PrattMWP College of Art and Design Program, which was a “truly life changing” experience for her!

Amy’s residency was nothing short of productive. Throughout the 9-month program, she planned and taught community art classes to adults and kids, and facilitated projects for the museum’s Art Alive projects. She also taught two Light, Color, and Design courses to university students as part of the College of Art and Design program. Most excitingly, Amy was able to create works for her own exhibition, Days of Healing, which explored the journey of healing from grief and trauma through the various stages of coping with loss.

Can you tell us what you have been doing since finishing your exchange program?
I am pursuing my Master’s with the Re:Anima: European Joint Master in Animation program.  It’s a collaboration between three universities, LUCA School in Belgium, Aalto University in Finland, and Universidade Lusófona in Portugal I am working on a research dossier for an expanded animation installation that I will be working on over the next two years. I recently put together an exhibition of animated projections and animated paintings, which was as part of the research and I will be taking this work further in May of this year during an artist residency in Italy.

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your exchange program?
I had a really amazing time on my exchange. It set me on a new career path and helped me to pursue what I truly wanted to do. Working as a community art instructor, as well as an adjunct professor at PrattMWP in Utica, New York, an extension campus of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, allowed me to rediscover my love of teaching.  I would like to pursue a teaching career in higher education when I finish my Master’s.

How did your experience contribute to your career outside the U.S. and in your home country?
I am now able to live and work as an artist. When I returned to Scotland, I was able to secure another 4-month artist residency. I received a full scholarship for this Master’s program, which allows me to work on my artistic practice freely for the next two years. Prior to the exchange, I was supporting myself by working as a designer and editor while trying to pursue my artistic practice in the evenings and weekends. It was quite difficult and I didn’t enjoy the jobs I had. This opportunity gave me a huge boost in my art career and I do not think I would be where I am now without it.

Do you have any specific advice for new exchange visitors coming to the U.S.?
As soon as you arrive, try to immerse yourself into the place you are staying. Ask everyone you meet to go for a coffee and just really put yourself out there. Say yes to every opportunity and try to travel as much as possible.

 

Audrey Hasen Taylor, Community Arts Education + Residency Director at MWPAI, also shared thoughts with us about Amy’s residency.

“Amy immediately became very active and involved in our local community. She initiated both personal and professional meetings and connections with a variety of creatives in our area; she was commissioned to create a mural in a new retail shop here in Utica. We cannot say enough great things about Amy. We are lucky to have a part in her early art and teaching career.”

We can't wait to see what Amy does next!

If you are a visual artist looking for Painting or Drawing residency, the AIR program that Amy attended is accepting applications through March 20, 2023. Learn more about the AIR program here, or send us as email at outreach@artsandartists.org to learn about our exchange opportunities.

Radio Reporting with Violette

Welcome back to another exchange visitor profile! Today, we catch up with Violette, a J-1 intern from France who is completing her program at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, CA. Back in France, Violette is a journalism student at Sciences Po Rennes so her background in communications makes her a great fit for the KPFA team!

What are your day to day activities like?

Every morning I am assigned a story/event to cover in SF with the press release related to it. I prepare my interview questions and do some background research to get the context of the story. Then I go on the field, I record ambiance, statements and interview several people. I also take some pictures for [our] social media. Afterwards I go back to the radio station to write my script, edit the sound clips and send it to my editor for correction.

What kind of events do you report on?

I mainly work on social and political current events. The nature of the event can be very different depending on the topic. I’ve covered a rally to protest against a hospital closure, political meetings (city council of Berkeley, S.F. Board of Supervisors), and a protest to defend women’s reproductive rights. Sometimes I also work remotely in the radio station to cover political events that take place in Washington D.C.

What have you learned from your exchange program so far about American life and culture?

Field reporting is a great opportunity to learn about American culture and civilization! As an example, when I attend a political event, like the Board of Supervisors meeting, I learn a lot about the working of the American political system, which is really complex and so different from our French one. From a sociological point of view, protest and rallies are also a good occasion to understand what is at stake at the local level in San Francisco like homeless and affordable housing issues, gun violence, and racial inequalities. I was particularly surprised about the way the Silicon Valley and the tech culture impact the socioeconomic inequalities in the area.

How has this experience helped your English speaking skills so far?

I have to practice my written and spoken English every single day. I can write a news script in English. I have improved my ability to understand oral and written English without using a translation or extra help. My final goal would be to be able to record myself on my own report with a good English pronunciation.

We love hearing about our exchange visitor’s wonderful experiences. If you are an IA&A exchange visitor and would like to chat with us about your program, please send us an email!

Growing as an Artist Through Cultural Exchange

Welcome back to our first blog in…a while! Did you miss us? We’d like to welcome you back with a spotlight post on research scholar, Patrick Quarm. Originally from Ghana, Patrick is exploring his creativity and learning about personal development as a Studio Fellow at NXTHVN in New Haven, CT.

Founded in 2018, NXTHVN is a groundbreaking institution that combines the best of arts and entrepreneurship. Through access, education, programming and impact investing, NXTHVN launches the careers of artists and curators and strengthens the livelihood of its local community. Cornerstone programs include its renowned fellowship to educate and accelerate emerging and underrepresented artists, paid arts apprenticeships for local teens and business incubation to nurture cultural and capital value in the neighborhood.

Here’s what Patrick had to say about his program so far!

Can you tell us about some of your responsibilities and duties at NXTHVN?

Part of the program requirement is being in the studio and working on paintings that are connected to my current and ongoing research about social evolution and hybrid theory. I am required to be present for seminars organized with professionals to teach us about the art world and how to navigate it as a young and upcoming artist. I have been assigned an apprentice who I mentor and meet with twice a week for 3 hours. Working with an apprentice, teaching and mentoring, has been one of the best responsibilities of the program.

What are some new skills you are learning?

The program allows me to have the freedom to create what I am interested in as an artist and gives me the freedom to experiment with ideas, tools, and materials. I have gained a lot through the professional development seminars and discussions [like] the art of negotiating with a potential gallery interested in working with me, being able to talk about my work intellectually, and write a good artist statement.

What is your final goal for your program?

At the end of the year, my main goal is to see my work develop [and] gain access to galleries, collectors, and museums. Through these institutions, an artist is able to build his career. It’s been such a great experience and I am looking forward to learning more before the end of the program.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Patrick!

 

The Art of Conservation with Brandon Finney

With every beautiful painting you spot in a museum, it can be easy to forget just how much hard work goes into preserving its prime condition. Artworks are unfortunately not immune to the deleterious effects of time, but the efforts of art conservators can do wonders in slowing down the inevitable wear-and-tear of light, air, insects, and human handling.

Brandon Finney is an exchange visitor from Canada currently working as an art conservation fellow at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, where he has been able to practice these protective measures. While Brandon’s projects have ranged from conducting treatments of paintings, writing condition reports, and researching various artists, the core of his work has always focused on art conservation. To him, conservation is an essential part of the arts community; without it, classic works from history would have vanished from the canon. “Conservation’s central tenant is the preservation of cultural heritage for the current and future use of civilization,” he tells us.

“Very few people understand that most artworks are fragile objects—they have only survived because generations of hands have intervened to keep them intact. While we often see the dramatic cleaning of works as the shorthand for conservation, it only encompasses part of what we do. Modern conservation really tries to balance restoration with the long-term preservation of the artifact. This can include pest eradication, climate control, disaster prevention, and unfortunately, finding means of protecting artworks from visitors who don’t respect them."

 

Careful control over such sensitive works takes time and experience, however. It’s a meticulous task that requires someone with the necessary skills and patience to see it to its proper conclusion. The responsibility of protecting the smallest details in sometimes centuries-old works is not for your average hobbyist—but rather for an art professional with a thorough grasp of all aspects of art composition, whether artistic, historical, or scientific. Luckily, Brandon’s expertise and experience in those fields give him an edge.

“Art conservation is the intersection of three fields: art history, chemistry, and studio arts. You need skills and knowledge in all three areas to practice in the field. Most conservators like myself have a master’s in art conservation, with undergraduate education in all three formative fields,” Brandon says. “In addition to having a good grasp on the hand skills and knowledge needed, key skills include creative problem solving, patience, and interest for the work, willingness to objectively re-evaluate your work, and a passion for continued education."

No project of Brandon’s better demonstrates all of these necessary skills than a seventeenth-century Venetian portrait he was recently able to work on. Due to the complexity of the deterioration, restoring the painting involved multiple treatment angles and eventually “turned into an in-depth treatment and research project.”

Portrait of Francesco Bollani, before and after treatment. Chrysler Museum of Art. Italian. Anonymous. 17th century.

“The portrait had been unidentified for at least a century and had suffered major cleaning damage resulting in the loss of the sitter’s hand,” he told us. “I was able to use UV light and digital imaging to read the sitter’s name, then research his life, and finally come up with a reconstruction for his missing hand.”

Detail from Portrait of Francesco Bollani. In UV light, by which inscription can be read.

“I’ve very much enjoyed working on my first Old Master painting since moving to Norfolk. Working at the Chrysler museum has really allowed me to diversify my scope of practice. The Chrysler has an encyclopedic collection of paintings dating back to the 12th century Medieval period. In my previous training at Queen’s University, our works were often 19th and 20th century.”

Aside from all the valuable conservation and restoration work he’s had in his time at the Chrysler, Brandon’s fellowship has been nothing short of restorative for himself. “Since moving to the United States, I’ve [also] been able to visit several East Coast cities that I’ve never been to before. I’ve been able to visit museums I’ve read about for years and tour their conservation labs. I’ve really been trying to take advantage of the location.”

Through his fellowship at the Chrysler, Brandon has had an unforgettable experience that will benefit him tremendously in his future career. This exchange program has been beneficial for both the museum and himself, and the work he does will continue to benefit all parties involved. Learn more about our Cultural Exchange Programs and the other exhibition services that IA&A offers!

Alumni Update: Hyppolite’s “Be the Peace” Walk

IA&A #J1Alum and genocide survivor Hyppolite Ntigurirwa recently finished a 100-day walk across Rwanda to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. His “Be The Peace Walk” was a performance that invited individuals from around the world to spread messages of love and peace. As Hyppolite explained, “It is a performance of remembrance and resilience from brutality and fatalities towards a more peaceful future.”

Hyppolite is a performing artist, researcher, and activist whose work focuses on ending the intergenerational transmission of hate. In 2016, he participated in IA&A’s Exchange Visitor Program, completing an artist-in-residence program with Arts Connect International, an organization that cultivates and connects leaders in the arts field committed to cultural and social inclusion. Since then, he has continued to build peace through art and engagement. His current work focuses on using theater as a tool for healing, reconciliation, and peacebuilding in post-conflict communities both in Rwanda and abroad.

Hyppolite isn’t one to simply ask for change, and he hopes to inspire others to reject the complacency in non-action. The #BeThePeaceWalk started in his home village of Mibilizi on April 15 and ended in Kigali on July 25. At least twice a day, Hyppolite stopped to talk to those around him about their responsibility to seek peace. “What I experienced I never want any child to experience. That is what I have been telling the communities. The peace we want to leave for our children and the generations to come is the peace we have to work for today,” he said in an interview with The New Times. Through this walk and his other peace activism he honors the memories of his loved ones and all victims of the genocide. 


Learn more about IA&A's programs and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Artist Spotlight: Stevennina Drassinower

IA&A’s Cultural Exchange Programs team recently sat down with Stevennina, an exchange visitor from Canada who interned with artist Zachary Oxman at his studio. We got to know Stevennina a bit more and learned about her artistic practice. Keep watching for “10 Questions with Stevennina” and go “Behind the Bronze” with this incredibly talented emerging artist! 

 


Learn more about IA&A's programs for emerging artists and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Travel Tales from the Team: Megan

At International Arts & Artists, we love hearing about the incredible experiences our exchange visitors have during their programs! From exploring new cities to experiencing different cultures, exchanges expand our understanding of the world around us. We know all about the power of exchanges — in fact, many of our team members have studied, worked, or lived abroad! So, we’re launching a new blog series called “Travel Tales from the Team” where we’ll share more about our own travel experiences.

Meet Megan, our fantastic Program Officer! A native East Coaster, Megan grew up in Massachusetts and received her Bachelor’s degree in environmental and sustainability studies from Bard College. Invested in language and the arts, you can find her teaching English, attending a play or dance class, or continuing her intense study of Arabic.

Keep reading for more on what Megan had to say about her experiences traveling and living abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

Yes, I am very fortunate that I had the opportunity to live abroad for an extended period of time. I have traveled to Jordan a number of times. My first trip was on a semester-long rugged travel and exploration program in college. The program was focused on exploring different lifestyles in different parts of Jordan. I had the opportunity to live in Bedouin style tents and try traditional Jordanian cuisine. It was an adjustment at first, but I grew to appreciate a style of life completely different from my own. I also spent a lot of time living with a Jordanian host family who I became very close to. I visit them every time I return to Jordan. During my recent trip, I stayed in the capital city of Amman for six months learning the local Arabic dialect. The more familiar with the language I became, the easier it was for me to assimilate.

What was the first place you traveled to outside of the country?

The first place I traveled outside of the United States was Canada. I went on a school trip with my middle school French class to Quebec. I had an amazing time with my friends. We were amazed by how different the culture was despite it being so close to us geographically. We went in December, and felt like we had entered a winter paradise. We loved the food that we tried: traditional Canadian and French foods. I still think about the first time I tried boiled maple syrup poured over snow on a freezing day. By going on that first trip, I was able to have my first experience of travel and independence, and it only made me yearn for more.

What did you learn about yourself while abroad?

I learned that I am able to adapt to new situations, and that I can rely on myself when traveling. This has helped build my feeling of independence and self-reliance.  Once I realized that I could take care of myself in a cultural context completely different than my own, I knew that I was going to be alright no matter where I went. This confidence has helped me in my work and travel life. It has helped me conquer my fears and step outside of my comfort zone.

What advice do you have for people traveling or looking to travel abroad?

My biggest piece of advice is to be open to spontaneous adventures. It is always important to plan certain aspects of a trip and to have an understanding of the country in order to keep yourself safe, but some of the greatest adventures I’ve ever been on were ones that I stumbled upon. By giving myself the freedom to stray from my plans to explore something unexpected, I have seen amazing spots that aren’t listed in tour guides because I spoke with locals. Always be open to a new adventure because it will be different from what you expect it to be.