In the News: The Birth of Cool: Contemporary European Aesthetics PDF Print E-mail

Winston House Alumni Seminar Program: The Birth of Cool

On Thursday 22nd October, Carolina alumni and students gathered at Winston House for the fall semester’s Alumni Seminar Program. Co-sponsored by the General Alumni Association and Winston House, this program features talks by Carolina experts on a wide variety of topics. This fall, Winston House hosted Professor Todd Taylor, Eliason Distinguished Professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature, who discussed The Birth of Cool.

From Miles Davis to Austen Powers, from the age of Enlightenment through the postmodern era, Professor Taylor deconstructed aesthetic notions and popular philosophy to analyze evolving notions of “cool.”  Using a feast of audiovisual treats, attendees viewed avant-garde architecture, listened to jazz, and watched Austin Powers. Yeah, baby, yeah! Attendees were also treated to refreshments and a chance to explore contemporary answers to the question, “What is cool?” Seminar participants named everything from objects to popular culture figures, including leather jackets, cigars, convertibles, James Dead and Audrey Hepburn.

The Spring 2010 Alumni Seminar is scheduled for Thursday March 11, 2010, from

7-9 pm. Entitled, A Conversation and Performance, featuring Donald Oehler, this event will provide an evening of music and conversation with Donald Oehler, clarinetist and Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The evening will include a mini recital for clarinet and piano and a conversation about the many musical possibilities that London offers both visitor and resident alike. Professor Oehler will also discuss the ways in which current Carolina students have been able to experience one of the greatest musical performing centers of the world, and what it means, as a professional musician, to live in London.

We hope to see you at Winston House for the next Alumni Seminar in Spring 2010!

 
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