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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1999)
ART&FrRTAiNMENT Tuesday, September 14,1999 Page 11 "G • ■ • Courtesy Photo Blues guitarist Chris Duarte has been compared to such legendary musicians as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Blues-rock guitarist Chris Duarte takes his place among greats By Jason Hardy Senior staff writer In 1996, Guitar World magazine published a readers poll of the top blues guitarists in the world. Among the top five were names including B.B. King. Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. No surprises there. Then there was the No. 4 guy - Chris Duarte? He’s no legend. Well, not just yet. Nonetheless, he’s got all the makings of a legend. Duarte grew up in Austin, Texas, where he played with a band called the Cobras, the first real group to fea ture the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. He survived a heroin addiction in the late 1980s, was in a near-fatal accident when a semi-truck collided with his tour van in 1993 and, most importantly, he has a talent any legend would respect, if not envy. “He’s just an incredible guitar player,” said Zoo Bar owner Larry Boehmer. “I mean, he’s somewhere between Hendrix and McLaughlin, the jazz cat.” Duarte has been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix by fans and the media. They’re impres sive and worthy comparisons, but they didn’t come easy. Duarte’s success is built on a life of hard work, tour ing and practice, not to mention the usual blood sweat and tears. “He’s amazing,” Boehmer said. “Chris took, like, eight years off just to learn how to play guitar really well. He was practicing between eight and 10 hours every day.” To most, a dedication such as Duarte’s seems extreme. To Duarte, it’s only natural. “Practicing is like breathing to Chris,” said his wife, Donna, in an article on the official Chris Duarte Web site. “He doesn’t go a day without picking up a guitar.” After more than 15 years of guitar playing, it’s not surprising that Duarte has picked up the comparisons he Please see DUARTE on 12 Modem Masters’ shows influence of European art ■ Exhibition displays how Europe’s artists impacted the modernist school of thought in America. Danell McCoy Staff writer European influence on America is evident in fashion, food, music and dance. But since the 19th century, one of the areas Europe’s influence has been most evident in is art. Beginning today and continuing into November, the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 12th and R streets, will begin its newest exhibition titled “Modern Masters: European Prints and Sculptures from the Permanent Collection.” “This exhibition focuses on our signature collection of European prints,” said Dan Siedell, curator at the Sheldon. “It shows the important influence of European art on American artists in the late 19th centu ry and continuing through the 20th century.” The exhibition is the fourth in the past, three years that has used European sources to examine American modernism. The other three exhibitions included European sculp tors, Pablo Picasso and his Cubist con temporaries and German expression ists. “Modern Masters” will include 25 eclectic works by artists such as Picasso, Henri Matisse, George Rouault, Alberto Giacometti and Kathe Kollwitz, all of whom had an influence on international modernism, which affected many American artists. The exhibition is in conjunction with a class taught by Christin Mamiya, a professor of art history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “This is a collaboration,” Siedell said. “It was planned not only to inform the museum community but also the academic community in regards to this course. “We hope this exhibition will show our diverse collection of art. We are known to carry many pieces of American art, but we also carry European works.” Mamiya will also present a gallery walk this Wednesday from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The walk is open to the public and Gallery Preview The Facts What: “Modem Master: European Prints and Sculptures from the Permanent Collection” Where: Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery When: Today * November 23 The Skinny: A look at the works of European artists who influenced American modernism. free of charge. It is part of an educa tional series titled “Wednesday Walks.” During the walk, gallery visitors will be able to view the exhibition while discussing the pieces with Mamiya. Mamiya will also answer questions the visitors have about the collection. This walk is the first in a series that will take place the third Wednesday of every month through May. “Visitors will be spending time viewing works by artists who were very influential in the art world,” Siedell said. “They will be able to rec ognize the roles European art played in modem American art.” ....... . CourtesyPhoto Ludwig Kirchner’s woodcut “Woman and Child” is part of the Sheldon’s “Modern Masters” exhibit, which explores the influence of European art on modem American art.