GroupNumber5

​Russ Hunt

I thought I'd check the obvious source and report what I found just as a way of showing how a wiki entry might look. I checked "Sally Clark" in Wikipedia, and after identifying the right one, found a quick bio -- she arrived in Toronto in 1973 and has worked with a number of theatre companies there, including Theatre Passe Muraille and the Shaw Festival. The wikipedia article is just a "stub" (maybe we could edit it after we've done the work?), but it suggests looking at the [|Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia] and [|The Playwrights Database] for further material. Wikipedia also lists a number of plays, but I'm not sure it's all of them.

Also, if you Google Artemesia Gentileschi you find not only a wikipedia entry, but an ambitious Web site called "[|The Life and Art of Artemisia Gentileschi,]" which you wouldn't want to quote but looks like a great starting point for finding out more about her. I've linked it. It offers this bibliography: 
 * 1) Garrard, Mary D. 1989. Artemisia Gentileschi - The Image of The Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art. Princeton University Press.
 * 2) Garrard, Mary D. 1993. [|Artemisia Gentileschi.] Rizzoli Publications Inc., New York.
 * 3) Alexandra Lapierre, 1998 (translated by Liz Heron, 2000), [|Artemisia - a novel], Grove Press, New York.
 * 4) Bissell, R. Ward, 1999. Artemisia Gentileschi and the Authority of Art. The Pennsylvania State University Press.
 * 5) Garrard, Mary D. 2001. [|Artemisia Gentileschi around 1622: The Shaping and Reshaping of an Artistic Identity.] Discovery Arts Series, University of California Press.
 * 6) Vreeland, Susan 2002 The Passion of Artemisia Headline Book Publishing

Group 5 Wiki Site

Michelle Chisholm Laura Graham Charles Lindsay Peter Morrison
 * Iya (Downey)**

Apart from these questions, there is an interesting journal entry from Theater Research in Canada. I found it on the "Article & Research Database". I found the same text in a version that does not require and passwords so that is the one i will post. It was not specific to the questions i was suppose to answer, but i thought it to be useful anyway. It has to do with Artemisia Gentileschi, and her historical significance. There is also the connection with her real life and her life depicted in the play. It seems very well researched and could offer more valuable info about the play, its historical connotation and Sally Clark's take on Artemisia Gentileschi's life. Here is the link:

[|Life Without Instruction: Artemisia, and the Lessons of Perspective]

//Questions Yes: Sally Clark is a playwright, painter, and filmmaker. Her play, //Life Without Instruction// is based on the biography of the 17th century Italian painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, whose numerous ordeals ultimately strengthen her determination to become an independent woman, artist and painter. [] [] []
 * Are the characters based on historical people?//
 * __ http://www.playwrightscanada.com/playwrights/sally_clark.html __**
 * Agostino Tassi** (1578‑1644) was an Italian painter, mostly of landscapes and seascapes.
 * Orazio Lomi Gentileschi** (1563 - 1639) was an Italian Baroque painter, one of more important painters influenced by Caravaggio (the so-called //Caravaggisti//). He was the father of the painter Artemisia Gentileschi.
 * Artemisia Gentileschi** (July 8, 1593–ca. 1656) was an Italian Early Baroque painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio

//*Who is Artemesia, historically?// **Artemisia Gentileschi** (July 8, 1593–ca. 1656) was an Italian Early Baroque painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio. In an era when women painters were not easily accepted by the artistic community, she was the first female painter to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. She was one of the first female artists to paint historical and religious paintings, at a time when such heroic themes were considered beyond a woman's reach. Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome, July 8, 1593, the first child of the Tuscan painter Orazio Gentileschi. Artemisia was introduced to painting in her father's workshop, showing much more talent than her brothers, who worked alongside her. She learned drawing, how to mix color and how to paint. Since her father's style took inspiration from Caravaggio during that period, her style was just as heavily influenced in turn. But her approach to subject matter was different from her father's, as her paintings are highly naturalistic, where Orazio's are idealized. [] I also think this is a valuable link about Artemisia, but for the character within the play, not the historical woman. : []

//*Whats the biblical story of Judith? Are the characters in this play portrayed accurately?// The //Book of Judith// has a tragic setting that appealed to Jewish patriots and it warned of the urgency of adhering to Mosaic Law, generally speaking, but what accounted for its enduring appeal was the drama of its narrative. The story revolves on Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting God to deliver them from their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, to whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites. Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night as he lies in a drunken stupor. She decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved. Though she is courted by many, she remains unmarried for the rest of her life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Judith The biblical characters are quite similar to those in the play, so the book of Judith accurately portrays the characters.

//*The book of Judith is not included in the generally accepted version of the Bible. Who includes this text?//


 * The book of Judith is considered a Deuterocanonical book. Deuterocanonical is a term used since the 1500's in the Catholic Church and Eastern Christianity to describe certain books and passages of the Christian Old Testament that are not part of the Jewish Bible. The opposite is a protocanonical book, which are contained in the Hebrew Bible. The Deuterocanonical books are considered canonical by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox, but are considered non-canonical by Protestants. Wikipedia sources: Deuterocanonical [|Book of Judith]**

//*Who is Holofernes?//


 * Holofernes was a general, sent by Nabuchodonosor in the text, to lay siege to Bethulia (most likely actually called Meselieh). They would have surrendered to him if not for Judith. Wikipedia sources: Holofernes Text Source: Book of Judith Translation**

//*Who is Caravaggio? What is his background?//


 * Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, who lived from 1571-1610, was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His intensely emotional realism and dramatic use of lighting had a formative influence on the Baroque school of painting. Caravaggio's novelty was a radical naturalism which combined close physical observation with a dramatic, even theatrical, use of Tenebrism, the shift from light to dark with little intermediate value. He burst upon the Rome art scene in 1600 with the success of his first public commissions, the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew and Calling of Saint Matthew. Thereafter he never lacked for commissions or patrons, yet he handled his success atrociously. An early published notice on him, dating from 1604 and describing his lifestyle three years previously, tells how "after a fortnight's work he will swagger about for a month or two with a sword at his side and a servant following him, from one ball-court to the next, ever ready to engage in a fight or an argument, so that it is most awkward to get along with him."**
 * When his St. Matthew paintings were put on display, it inspired a great many of Rome's artists, including Orazio and, through him, his daughter Artemesia. These artists were often called the Caravaggisti.** **Wikipedia Source: Caravaggio**

//*We'd like more background on the painters, their styles and paintings?//

I didn't know how the answers were supposed to be so I found sites on the painters life and their artwork for this question.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/C/caravaggio.html http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com/index.shtml http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/gentileschi/

//*What's the significance of Susannah and the Elders?// The story of Susannah and the Elders is an instructive moral tale about lust and the corruption of officials. Susannah, whilst bathing naked, was spied upon by two elders of her tribe. When she confronted them they threatened to blackmail her if she refused to sleep with them. She refused and they accused her publicly of having committed adultery. For this she was condemned to death. The young Prophet Daniel was unconvinced of her guilt and decided to question each elder separately. He found serious inconsistencies in their accounts of what they had supposedly witnessed together. They in turn were sentenced to death and Susannah was freed and her reputation restored.

The signflicance of this is that the play Life without Instuction is a story of her life(Artemesia) and the story of the paintings. Sally Clark wrote the play through Artemesia's eyes.

http://liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-of-month/displaypicture.asp?venue=2&id=167

//*What was happening re: gender roles or womens' roles in 1610? What were the consequences of sexual assault?//

The 1600s were a time marked by the Scientific Revolution. During this time, women were treated as inferior being who were meant to tend to the house and tend to children. During this time, a centuries-long debate known as the Querreles des Femmes was occurring in which men argued that women were not capable of higher thinking because their skulls were smaller. They also said that because women's hips were wider, they were naturally meant to be mothers and not to be involved in scientific affairs. Overall, women were treated with little dignity and as intellectually inferior to their male counterparts. They were also not aloud to go to the theater and or act on the stage.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080211224020AADp3cb

I was not able to find the answer the second part but I would assume nothing would happen unless that man was caught in the act and was forced to marry the girl. But if no marriage society would like at the woman like she encouraged the man to rape her.

//*What is 'marriage by capture'?'//

Marriage by capture, also known as bride kidnapping is a practice throughout history and around the world in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry. Bride kidnapping still occurs in countries spanning [|Central Asia], [|the Caucasus region] , and parts of [|Africa] , and among peoples as diverse as the [|Hmong] in [|southeast Asia] , the [|Tzeltal] in [|Mexico] , and the [|Romani] in [|Europe]. In most countries, bride kidnapping is considered a [|sex crime], rather than a valid [|form of marriage]. Some versions of it may also be seen as falling along the continuum between [|forced marriage] and [|arranged marriage]. The term is sometimes used to include not only abductions, but also [|elopements], in which a couple runs away together and seeks the consent of their parents later; these may be referred to as non-consensual and consensual abductions respectively. However, even when the practice is against the law, judicial enforcement remains lax, particularly in [|Kyrgyzstan], and [|Chechnya].
 * More info to be viewed through following link:

[]

//*When was it written?//

Life Without Instruction first premiered at the Theatre Plus Toronto in 1991. It was published in 1994 by Talon Books, Vancouver.

[]

//*What is the author's background in art?//

Sally Clark has a background in artistry, painting and film making.

[]

Her training in the field of fine arts comes from the following educational institutions: 1974 – New School of Art, Toronto, Ontario 1973-75 - York University, Ontario- graduated B.A. General Honors in Fine Arts 1971-73 – University of British Columbia Clark also has her own website where many of her pieces can be observed. (Below link)

[]

//*Has the author written other plays?//

Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, Sally Clark wrote a series of plays, usually adding a comedic twist to an otherwise dramatic tale. She also wrote and directed a film called //Ten Ways to Abuse and Old Woman// (1983). Her plays include the following: //Saint Frances of Hollywood// (1994), //Life Without Instruction (1991),// //Jehanne of the Witches (1989),// //The Trial of Judith K. (1985)//

[|Canadian Theater Encyclopedia] [|List of all her plays (not posted explicitly because it is an unreliable source, still worth mentioning)]

//*How were taboo topics received by other audiences? What are the rewiews for this play like? // Although reviews for this play were hard to find, it seems that even though some of the topics that Sally touches on are taboo, they are received very well. There is a major emphasis on her ability to add a comedic touch to situations that would not seem to entail such humor. This is very helpful for audiences watching a play of this nature. This style of writing offers a balance or even comic relief in an otherwise dramatic and thought provoking play. Other reviews have have commended Sally for her ability to touch on a multitude of interesting sociological questions concerning the nature of art and people's relationship to it. When we split into out groups, I personally found that the comic relief helped shine light on the play in order to make it more enjoyable and accessible to the audience. When hearing about this play without reading or seeing it, one might assume it is darker and more emotionally draining than it actually is. The comedic aspect will give your emotions a break between the harsher scenes.

[|Two Small Reviews (these seem to be repeated a lot on the net)]

//*Where has this play been performed? Was it written for a specific festival or event? // As previously mentioned, This play was first performed under the direction of Sally Clark in 1991 at the Theater Plus Toronto. It has since been performed by other prominent directors at Theater Plus Toronto as well as Theater BC. Since we will be seeing a performance as a class, it is safe to say that this play has made its way around Canada as a well renowned play that is perfect for smaller venues.

[|The Playwirte Database] [|Quick Biography] [|Chick Reid, another director of this play]

//*What was the influence of the Carafabbio paintings and what (if anything) has the author said about why she decided to include him and his work in the play?// Have not been able to find sources on this question yet, unless I look for Caravaggio's paintings instead; which has helped me find a small bit of information on Artemisia (the historical painter) and Caravaggio's influence on her work.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Artemisia_Gentileschi
 * Artemisia Gentileschi ** was an early Baroque Italian painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio.

I have not been able to find any answers from Sally Clark, and why she decided to include him in the play; but Sally Clark has a background in painting, and takes great interest in art. On her official website, which is a great source for more information about the author, I found a quote from Sally talking about her painting:

“I have studied the Old Master’s paintings and I use a combination of their techniques. I paint in layers, through underpainting and overpainting, so that the colour is formed optically by the light passing through the layers. Though I work realistically, my focus has shifted to more abstract concerns, like capturing a quality of light such as the light before a storm, the light at sunset or the diffused light of a forest. I try to create the feeling one has when light suddenly hits a surface and there is a moment of illumination. I wish to engage the viewer in this sense of mystery, these apparitions of light.” - Sally Clark http://sallyclark.ca/bio.asp