Press Release

PAFA Presents Exhibition Programs in Conjunction with David Lynch: The Unified Field

PAFA Presents Exhibition Programs in Conjunction with David Lynch: The Unified Field

Highlights include a Twin Peaks screening featuring actress Catherine E. Coulson; talk with Lynch cinematographer Fred Elmes; short-film competition judged by Lynch and his studio; and film programs around Philadelphia
 

PHILADELPHIA (August 14, 2014) — The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) presents an exciting array of exhibition-related programs in celebration of David Lynch: The Unified Field, the first major U.S. museum exhibition of international filmmaker, artist and PAFA alumnus David Lynch, on view September 13, 2014 – January 11, 2015.

In addition, PAFA has partnered with Philadelphia-area organizations to present a range of off-site public programs accompanying the exhibition. Please see full program list below.

PAFA EXHIBITION PROGRAMS:

MEMBERS-ONLY EXHIBITION PREVIEW

September 12, 2014, 6:30-8 p.m.

PAFA members are invited to enjoy a first look at the David Lynch exhibition at the opening night Members-Only Preview. Federal Donuts will offer complimentary Lynch-inspired treats and Tria will pour complimentary beer and wine. Stephen STARR Events, PAFA’s exclusive catering partner, will offer the evening’s signature cocktail, “That’s a Damn Fine Cup of Coffee,” featuring David Lynch’s Signature Cup Coffee House Roast.

MEMBERS-ONLY TALK: A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID LYNCH

September 12, 2014, 7-8 p.m.

PAFA members are invited to an intimate conversation between David Lynch and the exhibition’s curator, Robert Cozzolino, on the evening of the exhibition opening.

PUBLIC EXHIBITION PREVIEW

September 12, 2014, 8-10 p.m.

Be among the first to preview the first major U.S. museum exhibition of international film director, artist and PAFA alumnus David Lynch, featuring over 80 paintings and drawings that span Lynch’s entire career, including rarely-seen work from his formative years as a PAFA student in the 1960s. Guests enjoy special Lynch-inspired treats from Federal Donuts and complimentary beer and wine tastings from Tria. Stephen STARR Events, PAFA’s exclusive catering partner, will offer the evening’s signature cocktail, “That’s a Damn Fine Cup of Coffee,” featuring David Lynch’s Signature Cup Coffee House Roast.

THE PAFA FILM PROJECT

October 1 – November 30, 2014

In celebration of the David Lynch exhibition, PAFA hosts a short-film competition. Between October 1 and November 30, 2014, filmmakers may submit films of 5 minutes or less to PAFA. Juried by David Lynch and his studio, the top 5 films selected will air during an exclusive screening on January 8, 2015 (details below). Films submitted are encouraged to be inspired by art, PAFA’s David Lynch exhibition, and the city of Philadelphia—a city that Lynch has said to be both fantastic and terrifying. Submission guidelines to be announced soon. Please contact lnevin@pafa.org for further details.

HIDDEN CITY WALKING TOUR: DAVID’S LYNCH’S “ERASERHOOD”

Saturday, October 4, 2 p.m.; and Saturday, November 1, 2 p.m.

When David Lynch moved to Philadelphia in the late 1960s to attend PAFA, he discovered a city that was both terrifying and inspiring. Explore the neighborhood just blocks away from PAFA that so electrified Lynch's imagination with Hidden City's Peter Woodall.

“BITE MY PAINTINGS:” A CONVERSATION WITH TWO ROBERTS

Thursday, October 16, 2014, 6 p.m.

“I like to feel that you could bite my paintings. Not to eat them, to hurt them. I like to feel like I'm painting with my teeth.” — David Lynch

David Lynch’s art evokes absurdities, nightmares, strange visions, tense moments, and intense memories. What better meditation on Lynch’s combination of the human body with strange ideas than to throw an art historian at a director of a pathological anatomy museum to see what happens. Enjoy an evening of conversation between Robert Cozzolino, PAFA Senior Curator and Curator of Modern Art, and Robert Hicks, Director of the Mütter Museum, as they take their cue from Lynch’s art to match wits about ideas in art, things not to do with a human body, really, really disturbing narratives, and even pica, or eating things you shouldn’t (including paintings).

ART AT LUNCH: A CONVERSATION WITH RODGER LAPELLE

Wednesday, October 22, 2014, 12-1 p.m.

Rodger LaPelle, artist and owner of Rodger LaPelle Galleries, talks about his experiences within the art world, his practice, gallery, and experiences with David Lynch. This intimate conversation with one of Philadelphia’s prominent gallery owners will also touch on various personages of the art world, and LaPelle’s many adventures throughout his career. As one of David Lynch’s first employers and collectors, his perspective is not to be missed.

CURATORIAL LECTURE: DAVID LYNCH

Tuesday, October 28, 7-8 p.m.       

Curator Robert Cozzolino introduces David Lynch’s visual arts career, beginning with his time at PAFA producing Six Men Getting Sick (1967), and discusses how Lynch’s visual art and film careers have dovetailed into a remarkable body of work.

“IT'S A STRANGE WORLD”: MUSIC OF DAVID LYNCH

Thursday, November 6, 2014, 6-8 p.m.

Spend an evening surrounded by the drawings and paintings of international filmmaker and PAFA alumnus David Lynch, while an incredible lineup of Philadelphia musicians and singers present a concert at the intersection of music, movies, and art. The performances will include everything from iconic movie tracks like Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" and the Angelo Badalamenti/Jimmy Scott collaboration "Sycamore Trees" (Twin Peaks), to music that David Lynch himself has found inspiring. Curated by Victor Fiorillo, Philadelphia Magazine’s Arts & Entertainment Editor.

A “PEEK” AT TWIN PEAKS WITH THE LOG LADY

Saturday, November 29, 2014, 6 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Catherine E. Coulson, aka The Log Lady from David Lynch’s cult classic Twin Peaks, visits PAFA for one great night of movies, munchies, and midnight tours. Coulson’s unique perspective on how Lynch’s visual arts practice informed direction and production on set creates a new context for the series, and we’ll screen her three favorite episodes interspersed with her observations and your questions, followed by a midnight tour of The Unified Field. Admission includes free popcorn and two complimentary drinks.

THE ART OF MAKING MOVIES: CINEMATOGRAPHER FRED ELMES

Sunday, December 7, 2-3 p.m.

Fred Elmes and David Lynch developed a rich visual vocabulary over the years as they collaborated on such feature films as Eraserhead (1977), Blue Velvet (1986), and Wild at Heart (1990). Trained as a photographer, Fred Elmes’ interests expanded early on to include cinematography and film-making, and this talk explores how paintings and sculptures inform the way he tells a story through film.

THE PAFA FILM PROJECT SCREENING

Thursday, January 8, 2015, 6-8 p.m.

Join PAFA for an exciting night celebrating the best short films submitted to The PAFA Film Project. Guests will celebrate the next wave of great filmmakers as they enjoy screenings of the top 5 short films selected by David Lynch and his studio.

COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS:

BRYN MAWR FILM INSTITUTE

The Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents A Celebration of David Lynch featuring three of Lynch’s iconic films and a discussion with David Lynch himself. Each film screening is accompanied by a Cinema Classics Seminar, a one-night class offering an engaging way to learn about one of the films from Lynch’s body of cinematic work.

September 9: The Elephant Man - Cinema Classics Seminar, followed by film screening
September 10: Blue Velvet - Cinema Classics Seminar, followed by film screening
September 13: An Evening with David Lynch
September 17: Mulholland Drive - Cinema Classics Seminar, followed by film screening

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE PHILADELPHIA

International House Philadelphia presents the film series “David Lynch Selects” featuring three influential films chosen by Lynch, as well as “The Lynchian Aesthetic,” a program of films curated by Jon Dieringer, organizer of Spectacle Theater (Brooklyn, NY) and Technical Director of Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI).

·September 20: David Lynch Selects - Sunset Boulevard
·October 9: David Lynch Selects - Lolita
·November 7: David Lynch Selects - Mon Oncle
·Dates TBA: The Lynchian Aesthetic

PHILADELPHIA FILM SOCIETY

The Philadelphia Film Society presents a two-month journey through Lynch’s acclaimed film works with David Lynch Revisited: A Retrospective Film Series.

September 3: Eraserhead
September 10: Conversation between David Lynch and his long time friend, American journalist Kristine McKenna, followed by screening of Lost Highway
September 17: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
September 24: Inland Empire
October 1: Film TBA
October 9: Free outdoor screening of The Elephant Man at the PHS Pop-Up Garden (1438 South St.)
October 16-26: ‘From the Vaults’ at the Philadelphia Film Festival celebrates David Lynch. Films include Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story & Mulholland Drive. More information to be announced soon.

PHILADELPHIA MAUSOLEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (PHILAMOCA)

PhilaMOCA hosts the third installment of the popular Eraserhood Forever exhibit, an artistic celebration of the work of David Lynch, on view September 5-27, 2014.

September 3: LYNCH101, a comedic video history of Lynch’s film and television career, featuring special guest speakers Bob Bruhin (Eraserhood.com), Robert Cozzolino (PAFA), Mano Divina (thereminist), Robert Hakalski (visual-machinery.com), Jesse Pires (International House Philadelphia), Duane Swierczynski (novelist), and comedian/Eraserhood Forever host Paul Triggiani.
September 5: Opening reception for Eraserhood Forever exhibit
September 27: Eraserhood Forever Entertainment Extravaganza featuring Lynch-themed musicians, comedians, burlesque and surprises.

FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

On September 11 at noon, David Lynch and will appear in conversation with PAFA Senior Curator Robert Cozzolino at the Central Library (1901 Vine St.). The event will be followed by a signing of the exhibition catalogue.

 

Last Updated
December 23, 2019 - 11:51 AM

About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is America's first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the fine arts, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and a world-class collection of American art. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.