Project Humanities presents 'An Evening with Riva Yares'
Project Humanities brings you "An Evening with Riva Yares," slated for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 24, in ASU's Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 (ISTB 4). The event is free and open to the public, who will enjoy a reception, live music, a film screening and storytelling.
Yares is the owner and director of the Riva Yares Galleries in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has curated major exhibitions for such artists as Arman, Milton Avery, Hans Hofmann, Yves Klein, Morris Louis, Roberto Matta, Jules Olitski, Jesus Soto, among others. In addition to being the quintessential art dealer, author and filmmaker, Riva is deeply immersed within the entire spectrum of the arts, including theatre, opera, music and literature.
The Riva Yares Foundation is devoted to underwriting museum exhibitions, film restoration, concerts, publishing and theatrical performances. Yares's philanthropic contributions are concentrated on the AIDS epidemic, including funding for the care of orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS in India.
"Sleeping with Dogs" is the provocative title of the new memoir by internationally known gallerist and philanthropist, Riva Yares. The reason for this title becomes apparent as we travel with Riva through her fascinating and inspiring life. She lives on the edge, searching for artistic perfection and engaged in personal intrigue.
Having spent her childhood in fear of bombing on the volatile stage of the Israeli War, she emerged from the ruins to become a leading patron of the arts, dispelling destruction and embracing creation. Yares’ steady determination and fearlessness combined with a perceptive and innate understanding of what great art is and has to be have led her to the highest pinnacle of success. She tells her story with lively humor and succinct honesty.
The book is divided into three sections. The first vividly relates her coming of age in the Israeli underground against the backdrop of war. The second section is the story of her coming to America. The third is about the world of art. Readers will be enthralled by her account of an unparalleled journey through life here and beyond.
Following a brief outdoor reception, Riva’s three teen grandchildren will be performing live music from their band, "TripleFirrre." Then, guests will be invited inside the Marston Exploration Theater for a screening of her critically-acclaimed film "Jolene." After the movie, the evening will conclude with conversation with Riva on her life and life’s work. She will be interviewed by Jeffrey Ferns, director of business relations and communications for Gregangelo & Velocity Arts/Entertainment and Circus School of Arizona. The evening will be moderated by Neal A. Lester, director of ASU Project Humanities.
ASU Project Humanities, a university-wide initiative involving all four ASU campuses with the expressed goal to show the interactions among humanities and other areas of scholarship and human endeavor, is proud to present this artist-collector-citizen and her work. The project seeks to share broadly the humanities-centered activities, programs, and events across ASU campuses at the same time it interfaces with community public programs beyond ASU. Through public programming and scholarship, Project Humanities seeks to make visible locally and nationally the excellence, range, and impact of humanist thinking and humanities practice.
Neal Lester
Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development
(480) 965-1225