Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

EssayA Close Brush with Burt WassermanBY ANTHONY MAALOUF ’08 G.S.Among the many works of art that yousee in the Villanova Art Galley, perhapsthe most interesting might be theartist himself. Dr. Burton Wasserman hashad more than 40 solo exhibits throughoutthe United States and other parts ofthe world. He taught art at Rowan Universityfor 44 years, has authored fivebooks and regularly contributes to theperiodicals Prime Time, Arts and Entertainmentand Art Matters. I had read his biographyonline (www.artgallery.villanova.edu/burtwassermanexhibit/index.htm).Impressed by his background andinterested in interviewing the artist, Iventured over to the Gallery on April23 to get a sneak peak. There, I encounteredWasserman unpacking hisartwork and laying the numerouspaintings on a table. Also presentwas his wife, Sara, and MaryanneErwin, assistant director of theVillanova Art Gallery.I opted not to begin the interviewimmediately because theywere busy sorting out his artworks.Why not help and interviewat the same time? So, I set asidemy notebook, put on a pair of glovesand drafted myself into the small set-upcommittee.Most of Wasserman’s artwork keeps tothe same graphic theme: bands, streaksand shards of many and varied, vivid colors.Without direction, I started to arrangethe canvases.“Hey, you’re pretty good at this,”chuckled Wasserman. He then showed mea smaller digital piece that he was particularlyproud of.“This is called ‘Tribute to St. Augustine.’Where should we put this?” he asked.I suggested placing it on the wall right bythe front door, reasoning that Gallery visitorswould see this one first and appreciatethe nod to St. Augustine. He agreed, indicatingthat Villanova University was veryspecial to him, that he has come to campusseveral times and loves it each time.“Well, you might as well be an honoraryVillanovan,” I told him. To my surprise, theJOHN WELSHartist smiled as if he had been given thegreatest compliment in the world.Eventually, all of his pieces were hung,ready for the exhibition. As I gazed around,the colors seemed to jump out. Erwin madethe appropriate observation that the roomwas “screaming with colors.”As my eyes followed oneside of the Galleryto theother, Isaw theartist himself atthe other end,seated on a bench,making his own survey. Iwalked over and asked himwhat he liked best about his longand distinguished art career. Instead ofboasting about any one work, he looked up,smiled and said, “waking up each morning.”Confused by his answer, I said, “Well,what do you mean by that?”“If I live to wake up the next day, toopen my eyes and see my wife right therenext to me, what more could you ask?”he explained.To me, this was amazing. Here was aone of the most respected artists. He hadreceived many awards and honors duringhis life, but he was most grateful for theimportant things like family. I couldeasily relate.The Wassermans, Erwin and I had alight lunch in the busy Belle Air Terrace.There, I talked with the artist about hisbackground. He is originally from Brooklyn,as I am, and considers himself to be areal New Yorker.Not one to take himself too seriously,Wasserman insisted that I call him Burt.When I asked him if there was a middlename, he just chuckled and said, “My lastname is just so long, that my mother decidedthere was no need for a middle one.”As we finished our lunch, they thankedme for helping set up the exhibit, but itwas I who should have thanked them forthe opportunity. I had gone to the Gallerythat day expecting to leave after a shortinterview, but ended up spending the bulkof my day there, getting to knowthe artist.AnthonyMaalouf’08 G.S.(left), whoworks in theOffice of Communicationand PublicAffairs, went for aninterview with Dr. BurtWasserman and left with alesson in life. And the artistfound that Maalouf had a knack for hanginghis exhibit in the Villanova Art Gallery.I learned that day that even the most celebratedof artists does not forget whatreally matters. And that, to me, is just asmarvelous as the works in the Gallery.Summer 2007 63