RAHR-1118: ART, DARKNESS, & WOMB OF GOD This multi-media, experientially-organized course begins with a review of the Christian tradition of depicting Mary and the Christ Child as dark or black miracle workers and healers in mainstream European Catholicism. The class will view rough cuts of original documentary footage from the annual French feast of St. Sarah Kali, a dark saint who is the patron of the Romani people, the Gypsies, as well as footage from a contemporary liturgy for the Black Madonna of Brazil, the Mother of the Excluded. Students will go on a "virtual" tour of the shrine of the Black Madonna in Rocamdour, France, via DVD and hear excerpts of both ancient and contemporary music to the Dark Madonnas, from Italian village chants to the medieval Libre Vermeil from Montserrat, Spain, to contemporary composer Francois Poulenc's music for Rocamadour. Some call the Black Madonna the Patron of the Arts, so much music and creativity has been inspired by this mysterious and positive dark figure. Using slides, video and DVDs, we will see some of the work of contemporary artists depicting the dark or black Madonnas: Janet McKenzie, Meinrad Craighead, Lydia Ruyle, Robert Lenz, Latina artists Yolanda Lopez and Janet Rodriguez, Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Beardon, African American John Biggers, as well as Japanese printmaker Mayumi Oda. [Auditors with Faculty permission] Class meets T-F, 1/19/09-1/22/09, from 1:00pm-5:00pm, in MUDD 102.