Art museum to hold horse discussion

The IU Art Museum will hold "Horses and Horsemanship" as part of its free Noon Talk series today from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the museum's Special Exhibition Gallery.\nThis discussion will coincide with the current special exhibition "Horses in Classical Art" that will be on display through July 30. Nancy Klein with IU's Department of Classical Studies will discuss the role of the horse.\n"Each piece tells a story, and the exhibition guide tells that story," IU Art Museum's Manager of External Relations Emily Powell said. "The guide tells where the piece came from and what it symbolized."\nPowell said the talk will reflect on the exhibit and offer insight into horses in ancient times and today.\n"Even today, to own a horse is a status symbol," Powell said. "The horse was very intricate to people's lives then."\nThomas T. Solley, curator of ancient art Adriana Calinescu, put together the "Horses in Classical Art" exhibit. The exhibition is divided into "Horses in Life" and "Horses in Myth." "Horses in Life" showcases "works for ritual, decorative, or practical use," and "Horses in Myth" presents "legendary views of horses in the company of deities, and animals with horse features," according to a press release.\nThe "Horses in Classical Art" exhibit, sponsored by the Thomas T. Solley Endowment for the Curator of Ancient Art and the IU Art Museum's Arc Fund, features more than 100 horses and horse-related images on vases, sculptures, coins, jewelry and engraved gems from the beginning of Greek art to the end of ancient times. An exhibition guide is also available to accompany the exhibit.\nPowell said Calinescu thought this exhibit would appeal to many types of people. \n"Most people can relate to the beauty of the horse," Powell said. "She thought this would be the most appealing to almost everyone."\nAccording to the IU Art Museum's Web site, the horse was a major theme in art throughout the centuries and held a particular mystique for the ancient Greeks and Romans. The "Horses in Classical Art" exhibit explores the horse's legacy in many different representations, stressing vitality and shapely beauty of the horse, from natural to fantastic.\nThe museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All exhibits are free and open to the public.