BY MARY ELLE HUNTER: Special to The Pilot

On a recent Saturday evening, the Country Bookshop of Southern Pines played host to an eager group of interested residents who came to hear Pinehurst resident Vivian Jacobson discuss what two 20th century artistic icons had in common. She presented a fascinating comparison of Marc Chagall, the noted painter, and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.

Jacobson, who is a leading authority and lecturer on Marc Chagall, began her presentation by quoting a peace negotiator who said if opposing factions would just go in a room and talk about what they have in common rather than emphasizing their differences, most peace talks would be successful. Commenting on that quotation, she said that the lesson to be learned is that we should spend more time on what we have in common, rather than on our differences, and that this concept applies to family, friends, our community and the world.

The idea for the Chagall-Presley lecture came out of her reading biographies of the two men simultaneously. The more she switched back and forth between the two books, the more interested she became in the subject of commonality of the pair. And the energy of Elvis’ music and the fervor of Chagall’s paintings fused together in her study and preparation for the lecture.

Vivian Jacobson referred to Chagall’s strong belief in the integration of music and art, which he saw as a means to bring about world peace, hope, and reconciliation. To illustrate her point, she very effectively played recordings of Elvis Presley at the same time showing slides of a number of Chagall’s paintings and her audience was enthralled, as she encouraged people to join in singing along with the familiar strains of “Amazing Grace” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Her enthusiasm for her subject matter was obvious as she read quotes from the two biographies and told her listeners of some of the common traits that both men exhibited in their work and in their lives — their deep respect for religion, their total control of their art which elevated viewers and listeners to an advanced level, and their fantastic sense of humor.

Vivian Jacobson brought Marc Chagall and Elvis Presley to life in a very special way as she related anecdotes of a journey she took with Chagall and his wife, and of her worldwide crusade to hand out the United States postage stamps featuring the likeness of Elvis. She summed up the entertaining evening by saying the work of both Elvis Presley and Marc Chagall was marked by passion, passion and passion. For those who had the privilege of attending her lecture at The Country Bookshop earlier this month, it’s safe to say that they went home feeling that same passion had been transmitted to them through her words.