Rediscovering sculptor Josephu with Marc Baron
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Admission
Open to the public
RSVP required
$10 | General admission
FREE | Salmagundi members
About the Event
Marc Baron, filmmaker and grandson of Josef Josehpu, will discuss the life and career of this Viennese sculptor, and how his research united a family separated by war after 70 years. Josef, and his brother/rival sculptor Florian, studied at the famed Vienna Academy of Fine Arts along with Egon Schiele (the same year Adolf Hitler was rejected).
With works found all over the world, and more than 37 located in Vienna, Josef’s life included friendships with Oskar Kokoschka, Emmerich Kalman, Franz Lehar, and Walter Slezak, and with familial connections to Ivan Mestrovic, Emil Schindler, Arnold Schoenberg and Gustav Mahler (who married Alma Schindler), and a relative knighted by Emperor Franz Josef. His flourishing career was interrupted when he and his family fled Vienna in September of 1939.
His first showing in New York at Steinway Hall was in February 1940, where the New York Times called him a “Viennese Rodin,” and later Josef became a Fellow of the National Sculpture Society. About 25 years ago Marc began researching more about his grandfather with a goal of publishing an illustrated biography, and in the process connected to family thought killed during World War II, and has since been awarded a dual-citizenship to Austria.
About the Speaker
Marc Baron, a native New Yorker, began his creative life as a child, acting and singing on stage, performing in band and orchestras, and writing. After a short time in the US Navy he continued his professional training. He was a theater major at Pace University, where he became friends with Fred Kelly, Gene’s brother, who encouraged Marc to also study directing.
After studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Marc began working in film and was invited to join The Lambs, America’s oldest professional theatrical organization, where he continued singing, writing, producing and directing. After 30 years of leadership, with 10 as its president (“Shepherd”), he was awarded the title Shepherd Emeritus, the third such honor in 150 years. His film work has led him to work with such directors as Sidney Lumet, Woody Allen, with cinematographers including Donald Thorin, William Fraker and Zhao Fei, and with actors including Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Sean Penn and Sean Connery. Marc formed Oroloro Entertainment to develop independent feature films and write screenplays. His romantic comedy film “Comeback In Vienna,” which he wrote and will direct, is now packaging and financing with plans to begin filming in Vienna in Spring, 2027.
He is currently a 19-year member of the SAG-AFTRA Board and continues research on his family history with plans on publishing a book on his grandfather, sculptor Josef Josephu. Marc was granted dual citizenship with Austria in December, 2020.
Hungry?
Ticketed attendees may reserve for dinner in the dining room (a normally member-exclusive benefit) via our Reservations page with the message “Josephu talk”. Reservations must be made in advance after RSVP-ing.
