Robertson scholars view ‘Color Triumphant’
At the Ackland exhibition, students gained a better understanding of the man behind the art collection and their scholarship.
Robertson scholars had the opportunity to participate in a private close-looking session of the Ackland Art Museum exhibition “Color Triumphant,” colorful pieces of modern art on loan from the Robertson Foundation.
The Robertson scholars leadership program was founded by the late philanthropist and Carolina alumnus Julian Robertson ’55 as a way of providing eight semesters of full tuition, room and board to scholars at both Carolina and Duke University.
“The scholarship is all about investing in young leaders to create change,” said Torrey Lin Weiner, a sophomore Robertson scholar double-majoring in journalism and philosophy. “It elevates us by keeping us in touch with a higher level of community with more intention.”
The scholars also build a community among themselves during a multitude of events and learning opportunities. The trip to the Ackland in October was one example.
Lin Weiner is not an artist but attended to gain a better understanding of the man behind the collection.
“It’s interesting getting to see this collection and develop more of an understanding of who Robertson might have been,” Lin Weiner said. “You can see the intentionality in what he collected. It was cool to draw connections between the pieces as we went through the session.”
The session was led by Elizabeth Manekin, the Ackland’s head of university programs and academic projects.
Her session looked at several different pieces of the collection, including the sculpture by American artist George Rickey, titled “U.N. III.” She said the piece left a special impression on the scholars.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
“They were immediately taken by the sense of movement in the piece,” Manekin said. “The way it’s displayed doesn’t allow for its intended motion. But the students immediately understood that potential energy and after watching a video of it moving, they were even more mesmerized.”
Manekin praised the Robertson scholars for their thoughtful, engaged responses. She credits this to their standing as an interdisciplinary group who can bring their own passions into their understanding of the pieces.
“One student in the session was a biology major, and she was looking at the Rickey piece as a double helix,” Manekin said. “There was also a computer science major who related the piece to code and manipulation.”
For Lin Weiner, the experience at the Ackland was an inspiring one.
“I think the reason I’m a Robertson scholar is because I’m passionate about people and their stories,” Lin Weiner said. “Through the Ackland, I was able to get an understanding of the stories behind the paintings and the people behind the collection.”
“Color Triumphant” will be on display at the Ackland until Jan. 4.
