Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence

In 1994, the Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric, and Science was named in honor of an individual who has continuously supported the university over many years. This chair helps to bridge the gap in academia between the sciences, the arts, and the humanities disciplines. Chairholders serve for one semester, or the equivalent, allowing a number of individuals from a variety of fields to participate over time. The primary duties of the chairholder are to teach two courses, typically one undergraduate and one graduate, and to present four public lectures/performances.

Mauricio Anton, Basler Chair of Excellence for Spring 2020

Events

• Bringing Sabertooths to Life: A Case Study in Paleontological Reconstruction

  Basler Chair Lecture by Mauricio Anton
  Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
  Ball Hall Auditorium 127, ETSU Main Campus (Johnson City, TN)
  
  Sabertooth cats are among the most spectacular and popular of all fossil animals, and they are known thanks to a remarkably rich fossil record, including complete skeletons. However, their biology and behavior have been a matter of heated debate among scientists for well over a century. What did they look like? How did they hunt? Why did they become extinct? There were in fact many species of sabertoothed predators, some belonging in the same family as modern cats, others only distantly related, and they were the dominant land predators in four continents for millions of years. Paleoartist Mauricio Antón has been studying these animals for decades in a quest for information necessary to “bring them back to life”. In this talk he will share with you his journey of the science and art of sabertooths and some of the images he created over the years to celebrate the power and beauty of these animals.  

• Reconstructing Neanderthals and Other Fossil Hominids: Dealing with Scientific and Social Aspects of Paleoanthropological Art

  Basler Chair Lecture by Mauricio Anton
  Tuesday, March 10th, 7 p.m.
  Culp Auditorium, ETSU Main Campus (Johnson City, TN)
  
  What did our ancient ancestors really look like? Ever since the first skull of a Neanderthal was discovered over 150 years ago, anthropologists and artists have been working together to recreate the appearance and habits of our extinct relatives. Paleoanthropological reconstruction is one of the most demanding and potentially contentious fields within paleoart, requiring painstaking attention to anatomical detail and an awareness of the social and cultural implications of portraying extinct hominins. For over three decades Mauricio Antón has worked with leading paleoanthropologists, sometimes creating the first reconstructions of specimens and even species previously unknown to science. In this talk he will introduce basic concepts and techniques of paleoanthropological reconstruction, and show examples of his work in this field, with surprising behind-the-scenes details and stories.

• Paleoart Exhibition Reception

  Paleoart Exhibition by Mauricio Anton and Students
  Tuesday, March 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  Slocumb Galleries in Ball Hall, ETSU Main Campus (Johnson City, TN)
  
  
  

• First-hand Study of Extant Animals as a Reference for Natural History Reconstructions: From Dissection to Wildlife Observation

  Basler Chair Lecture by Mauricio Anton
  Thursday, April 9th, 7 p.m.
  Ball Hall Auditorium 127, ETSU Main Campus (Johnson City, TN)
  
  The pioneer of paleoart, American artist Charles R. Knight, once said that no one can attempt to depict properly an extinct species without first mastering the art of drawing and painting modern animals. This is true not only for artistic reasons, but also because paleontological reconstruction involves a degree of inference based on the comparison between the extinct species and their living relatives. For paleoartist Mauricio Antón, getting familiar with the appearance, functional anatomy and locomotion of modern animals implies a range of research activities that take him from the dissection lab to wilderness areas of Africa and India. In this talk he will explain how such different sources of information merge to create images that depict extinct life in a way that combines spectacularity and scientific accuracy.

Biography

Internationally acclaimed artist and scientist Mauricio Antón is the Spring 2020 Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence.  Coming from Madrid, Spain, and growing up in Venezuela, Mauricio is classically trained in fine arts.  Over the past thirty years, he has traveled across much of the globe working as a natural history artist, depicting modern and ancient life through imagery. Today he is world-renowned as a preeminent paleoartist.  He is also known for his scientific research, philosophical approach, conservation efforts, infectious enthusiasm, and humble nature.  With his background and these qualities, Mauricio Antón fully embodies and exemplifies the renaissance spirit of the Basler Chair appointment, bringing together, integrating, and sharing vast knowledge and experiences in the arts, sciences, and humanities at East Tennessee State University.  

The work of Mauricio Antón stands out among past and present paleoartists.  For examples of his work and to read more about his career, please follow the link below.  His painstaking approach to anatomical accuracy, thorough field observations, and dynamic reconstructions are unparalleled, making him one of the most sought after paleoartists by researchers, museums, and publishers.  Further, his years of research on modern and fossil forms have made him an expert in many areas of paleontology, particularly large cats, early humans, and other mammals.  In this realm he is well published, with over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Further, he is first author or co-author on numerous books, has illustrations in a plethora of scientific articles and popular magazines (e.g., National Geographic), produced and participated in scientific films and documentaries, developed exhibits for major natural history museums (including the American Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian), won awards for his books, and often gives invited lectures on his work at conferences, museums, and universities. 

During Mauricio’s time at ETSU he will give four public presentations and is teaching two classes on paleoart.  In addition, he serves as an artist in residence at the ETSU Museum of Natural History at the Gray Fossil Site.  There he works on paleoart projects with researchers in a location visible to the public.  This living exhibit will attract more visitors, and hopefully inspire new generations of artists and scientists from our region and beyond.

Mauricio Antón's website: https://mauricioanton.wordpress.com/