Special screening of 'My Friend Norman' Oct. 31

calendar icon17 Oct 2014    

Lincoln, Neb.--Norman A. Geske died Sept. 6, 2014. He would have been 99 years old on Oct. 31.
 
In honor of Norman Geske and his 99th birthday, the Ross Media Arts Center will host a return performance of Laurie Richards’ film, MY FRIEND, NORMAN: THE MAN FROM ABERDEEN.
 
The Friday, Oct. 31 7 p.m. screening is free and open to the public.
 
MY FRIEND, NORMAN: THE MAN FROM ABERDEEN, is a feature length documentary about the impact one man—Norman Geske—has had on the artistic and cultural heritage of Nebraska. The documentary originally premiered at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, in honor of Norman’s 91st birthday.
 
The film covers Geske’s early days and influence on the Walker Art Center at Minneapolis, where he previously worked, as well as his efforts at establishing the Museum of Nebraska Art at Kearney. It visits prestigious New York galleries with Geske and introduces the dealers that worked with him to develop a world-class collection of 20th century art at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.
 
MY FRIEND, NORMAN witnesses Geske’s continued involvement in the world of art and architecture with lectures at New York galleries. It visits Monet’s garden at Giverney and walks the streets of Paris with Geske. U.S. Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser, painter Keith Jacobshagen, Ross Media Arts Center Director, Danny Lee Ladely, and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery Director, Jan Driesbach are interviewed in order to discover just who is the “Man from Aberdeen.”
 
Assistant editor and video artist, John Andrews adds his creative talents with animated transitions that set the tone for each segment of Geske’s life.
 
Executive producers are Dan Worth and Jennifer Martin. Associate producers are Marcia Bergmeyer and Joyce Holtmeier.
 
The soundtrack includes the bright and refreshing music of Café Accordion Orchestra, featuring Lincoln’s native son, Dan Newton. Original music from local musician Steve Hanson is performed on guitar and mandolin. Piano compositions are heard from Ruth Wallerstedt and Jack Oliva. The result is an engaging visual and audio presentation.