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US $116.99
Pageant of the Masters
The Pageant of the Masters is a rare theatrical event, held every summer in Laguna Beach, explains art journalist Liz Goldner in her Contemporary Art Dialogue website/blog.
The Pageant draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to its outdoor amphitheatre, the blog continues. Yet many people who attend know little about its origins or about the massive preparations and 60,000 volunteer hours that go into each production.
The live multi-media show is based on the centuries old art form, "Tableaux Vivants" or "Living Pictures," displaying the diversity of art from around the world and throughout history, utilizing live models, lavish costumes and sets and dramatic lighting.
Tableaux Vivants began in the Middle Ages and were featured in churches, royal weddings and coronations. The art form was especially popular in the 19th century with models often posing in the buff.
While the art style was popular for several centuries, the Laguna Beach Pageant is one of few remaining productions of this genre - anywhere in the world.
Each Pageant production involves 500 volunteers and 6,000 volunteer hours. As the Pageant of the Masters blog page says, "Backstage, models sit nearly motionless for long periods as volunteer artists apply thick overly theatrical face and body make-up. Awareness of the angle of the model's face and body in the completed Living Picture is an essential factor of make-up application.
"When a model faces sideways, the face is often painted in two tones to create the illusion of shadows. Lips, eyebrows, cheekbones are highlighted so dramatically and thickly that models take on the appearance of mannequins."
The blog page continues, "Moments before each Living Picture is shown at the Pageant of the Masters, models seat themselves in the stage set: workers adjust the props, sometimes adding accessories to clothing and shoes for authenticity; and models are often strapped into their places. The set revolves onto the stage as lights go up and themed music plays, revealing a large proscenium size artwork, many times bigger than the original (world famous) painting or sculpture, and clearly visible from the last row in the Irvine Bowl - and from High Drive - up the road in Laguna Beach."
Liz Goldner further explains that the Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters was launched in 1933 when a local artist/performer dressed residents in costumes and seated them behind a frame. Within a few years, the production took on a more professional tone, eventually evolving into themed productions with live performers.
This year's "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" is a 90-minutes show, running July 7th through August 31st. It includes festive works by 17th century Dutch artist, Jan Steen, 19th century pieces by Americans Frederic Remington and Reginald Marsh and paintings by several modern and contemporary artists, including "Coffee and Donuts" by local Laguna Beach artist, Scott Moore.
About the Author
Liz Goldner's articles on art span the breadth and depth of works shown in Southern California, with references to national and international art pieces. Her stories, reviews and web pages bring to life painters, sculptors and performance artists; gallery and museum directors; community leaders, entrepreneurs and celebrities. She is creator/writer of the website/blog: http://www.contemporary-art-dialogue.com.