April 10, 2009 —The University of Virginia Art Museum and the U.Va. School of Architecture will host "Beauty on Shared Ground," a symposium that celebrates the recently released book "The Hand and the Soul: Aesthetics and Ethics in Architecture and Art," a volume of essays edited by U.Va. professor of art and architecture Sanda Iliescu. The symposium, which takes place April 16, is being held in conjunction with the special exhibition "The Hand and the Soul: LeWitt, Slutzky and Iliescu," which runs through April 23.

Rooted in the work of architects at the University, who have contributed many of the book's essays, "The Hand and the Soul" (The University of Virginia Press, 2009) has been hailed for its eloquent critique of contemporary art and design. 

The symposium begins at 5:30 p.m. in Campbell Hall, room 153, with an introduction by Architecture School Dean Karen Van Lengen and Iliescu's presentation, "Why 'The Hand and the Soul'?" Several contributing writers will then read brief passages from the book's essays. A question-and-answer session will follow, with U.Va. Art Museum director Bruce Boucher giving concluding remarks. 

Writers scheduled to speak at the event include Joan Ockman (Columbia University), Thomas Berding (art and art history, Michigan State University), and U.Va. faculty Howard Singerman (art history), Robin Dripps (architecture), William Sherman (architecture), Timothy Beatley (planning), Phoebe Crisman (architecture), Iliescu (art and architecture) and W.G. Clark (architecture).

A reception and book-signing event follows at the museum. Parking for the event is available at the Culbreth Road Garage.