Anne Muraoka
By David Simpson
The panel on Renaissance art history fell apart. But that didn't stop Anne H. Muraoka, associate professor of art history at 鶹AV.
Intrigued by the abstract for a conference paper, she reached out to the scholar with the oddly familiar name and invited him to 鶹AV.
That scholar: Peter Weller, Ph.D., a specialist in Italian Renaissance art.
Many people know him from his other life: as the star of such 1980s movies as "RoboCop" and "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension." He also has acted on Broadway and directed TV shows such as "Hawaii Five-0." He has run marathons. In fact, the more you study his resume, the more he starts to look like — oh, let's say it — a modern Renaissance man.
Muraoka's encounter with Weller via email led to two well-received lectures on campus in late February. Her experience reveals how a single faculty member with a vision can collaborate with other people around campus to produce extraordinary moments.
After the events, the Center for Faculty Development caught up with Muraoka for a few questions.
How did you meet Peter Weller?
I actually met Dr. Peter Weller via e-mail in August 2018 when he submitted a paper abstract for a panel I was organizing for the 2019 Renaissance Society of America Conference in Toronto entitled "Rebranding Renaissance Art History and Studies for the Twentieth-First Century." I remember reading with excitement his abstract on the seminal role of Giotto and Renaissance narrative on modern art and film. It not only perfectly fit into the scope of the panel, but it also resonated with my own position on the importance and relevance of the Italian Renaissance in the contemporary world. Although his name sounded familiar, ironically, I did not immediately make the connection with Peter Weller the actor, but rather the art historian. This is how it all started. Ultimately, the panel fell though, but I asked Peter if he would be willing to deliver a small lecture to the Art Department at 鶹AV. Without hesitation, he agreed. Over the next few months, the "small lecture" transformed into a larger lecture, and a second lecture was not long after added. Each time, Peter enthusiastically said "Of course!"
What is he like?
Generous and inspiring. Those two adjectives immediately come to mind. Let us be honest. We just met. He is an acclaimed actor, director, and art historian. Not for a second did he hesitate in agreeing to come to 鶹AV, in spite of his busy schedule. I knew that we would not be able to offer him the kind of honorarium that he is accustomed to receiving, and Peter did not once expect any more than what we could provide. He was just thrilled to be of service to me, Italian Renaissance art history, and the university. Peter squeezed in this visit among the filming of two television series. He was actually called to the set of "MacGyver" earlier than planned to film his guest role, and he explained to them that he was unable to arrive any earlier than March 1st because he made a commitment to 鶹AV for February 27th and 28th. He is also directing the season finale of "Hawaii Five-0," and he made time to be here. More importantly, his generosity was so apparent during his visit. I did not ask or expect him to spend time speaking personally with the guests who attended his lectures, but he took the time to speak with every person who stood in line to meet him, took pictures with everyone, and signed autographs. He is just such an inspiration. Peter's words of wisdom to students and even to colleagues and myself were just a gift. He is not only a talented actor, director, and art historian, but he is a masterful storyteller, so erudite and funny, personable ... just an all around extraordinary human being. I cannot say enough good things about him and the impact he made here at 鶹AV.
Peter Weller
How did you get him to campus?
This was a challenge. The idea for bringing him to campus was my own. Through months of correspondence, I was able to secure his commitment to visit and speak at 鶹AV. I also had to handle much of the legwork. The biggest challenge was in obtaining funding. The chair of the Art Department, Professor Peter Eudenbach, was of course supportive and offered to contribute some funds to bring Dr. Weller here, but as we all know, department funds are limited. I then reached out to the dean of the College of Arts & Letters, Kent Sandstrom, and he kindly committed a generous amount toward Peter Weller's lectures and visit. Nevertheless, I was still short of the necessary funds. I had reached out to several departments. Some declined, and others like the Institute for the Humanities and the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts committed what funds they could afford. I had a practical budget, but I was still far away from the goal. This is when I reached out to my colleague and friend Dr. Robert Wojtowicz, dean of the Graduate School (and professor of art history). I went to him for advice on how and where I could find the additional funds to bring Dr. Weller here. He asked me what my objective was in bringing him to speak at 鶹AV. I explained that initially it was solely about making people aware of the importance of Italian Renaissance art. However, I explained to Robert that it had become something more than just making this point. My experience as a member of the College of Art & Letters Strategic Planning Committee made me think about how Dr. Weller's lectures could serve a larger role in highlighting the importance of our college, but also in bringing together the larger university community. Robert then asked me how would Peter's visit be of value to graduate studies, and I explained to him how Peter decided to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Italian Renaissance art history at age 57 amidst a successful film and television career. He then committed a generous contribution from the Graduate School, and reached out to the provost and to several deans. In a matter of one day, I had the funding I needed. Robert was instrumental in helping me obtain the funds to make Dr. Weller's visit and lectures possible. Dr. Weller's lectures were sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs, the Graduate School, the College of Arts & Letters, the Strome College of Business, the Office of Research, the Institute for the Humanities, the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts, and the Art Department. My colleague and friend and Professor of Graphic Design Kenneth FitzGerald offered his talents in designing and printing the stunning poster promoting Peter Weller's lectures.... Peter Weller loved the poster, and Kenneth kindly printed a special copy for Peter as a memento.
Please give a brief summary of his talk "Why the Renaissance Matters."
Well, the title speaks for itself! This talk was inspired by Dr. Weller's abstract for the panel I had tried to organize for the 2019 Renaissance Society of America Conference in Toronto entitled "Rebranding Renaissance Art History and Studies for the Twentieth-First Century." There is a general trend toward emphasizing the modern and contemporary at the expense of early art (and specifically Italian Renaissance art). This panel was aimed to challenge the perspective that only modern and contemporary art is of value for those who are seeking a career as an artist. Peter shared my sentiments about how significant the Italian Renaissance was on modern art and film. His lecture charted how he came to study art history and his decision to pursue M.A. (Syracuse University in Florence, Italy) and Ph.D. (UCLA) degrees in Italian Renaissance art. The majority of the lecture, however, was devoted to demonstrating how pivotal the works of Italian Renaissance artists from Giotto to Piero della Francesca and Leonardo da Vinci were for modern artists like Cézanne, Robert Delaunay, Mark Rothko and Oscar award-winning cinematographers like Vittorio Storaro.
How many people attended?
It was standing room only. I had ordered 150 seats for Peter Weller's lecture in the auditorium at the Darden College of Education & Professional Studies. Therefore, I would say at least 160 people.
How was he received by the audience? Any comments you can share?
The audience response to Peter Weller's lecture was extraordinary. After the lecture, several students, faculty, and members of the community approached me to thank me for brining Peter Weller to 鶹AV. They expressed how much they enjoyed his lecture. I also received many e-mails the following day. A senior colleague and administrator e-mailed me expressing how much she enjoyed the event and that it was "one of the best I've been to at 鶹AV."
Social media was filled with postings about Peter Weller's lecture. One example: "Had a fantastic time listening to (Dr.!) Peter Weller lecture - not just on the Renaissance and art, but also how it influences the modern action film. He truly is the real Buckaroo Banzai - enigmatic, brilliant, witty. His knowledge appears to know no bounds. And he's a masterful storyteller. He does speak about 100 miles a minute, though, so you find yourself barely hanging on to every word. But what a fun and thrilling ride. He was coined a true Renaissance man this evening, and I agree."
How did his other speech, at the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, come about?
This idea emerged after discussions with Dr. Robert Wojtowicz. Peter Weller has a fascinating story about how he became interested in art history, and how he came to decide to pursue a Ph.D. later in life. I thought his story and experiences would be of value and interest to those who are currently pursuing graduate studies at 鶹AV and especially those thinking about pursuing a Ph.D. degree. I asked Peter if he would be willing to deliver a second lecture about the value of graduate studies, the importance of the arts and humanities, and career pathways framed within his own experiences and career. He of course enthusiastically agreed! He entitled this lecture "Why School? My Ph.D. and Me." The audience at Peter Weller's lecture at the Strome was largely composed of students. Many of the postings on social media were from those who attended this lecture. One stated: "I had the great fortune to attend an Art History lecture by Peter Weller today! Completely enthralling and fascinating. What a wealth of knowledge and what a life led! I was extremely impressed by his lecture. Seeing the art through his eyes was fascinating. In particular, how he related understanding the masterpieces throughout history to understanding comic book art was enthralling! I could have listened all day." Another read: "So today was pretty rad. I got some wonderfully insightful advice from Dr. Peter Weller."