SUMMER 2008

f o r A l u m n i & f r i e n D S o f COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO 7

Arts + Media = culture

Striking Poses Alumni of the Year Portfolio: Darrell Jones takes cultural Honorees Len Amato, Tonya Columbia’s Book and studies to the dance floor Pinkins, and Eduaro Vilaro Paper Arts program 10 14 27 L ectures Founders

jonathan kozol Sir Ken Robinson anna deavere smith richard florida T he conversations in the arts presented by columbia college chicago

A year-long exploration Jonathan Kozol Anna Deavere Smith All lectures are at 7:30 p.m. at of Columbia College Monday, October 20, 2008 Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash (In conjunction with Creative Respected actor, playwright, Ave., 8th floor. Tickets are available Chicago’s core values, as Nonfiction Week) Kozol’s books, educator, and MacArthur “genius at no charge on a first-come, first- articulated in the work of such as Death at an Early Age and award” winner, Smith addresses served basis through the Columbia Savage Inequalities, have set the the importance of diversity in Ticket Center at 312.369.6600 some of our time’s most creative expression. agenda for educational reform and or www.colum.edu/tickets, two notable cultural thinkers. social change for four decades. Richard Florida months before each lecture. Sir Ken Robinson Thursday, April 30, 2009 Tuesday, December 2, 2008 The author of The Rise of the President’s Club members This international leader in Creative Class, Florida is known enjoy early ticket availability the development of creativity, internationally for developing and invitations to VIP receptions innovation, education, and human the controversial concept of following each event. To learn resources speaks about the the “creative class” and its more about the President’s Club, relationship between creativity importance in urban regeneration. call Kim Clement at 312.369.7084. and education.

For full information: www.colum.edu/conversations SUMMER 2008

7 departments 3 Letter: from the President 4 Wire: news from the college community 9 Spin: recordings from Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Able Baker Fox, and Joan Hammel 20 Poetic: poetry by Stuckey Award winners Jennifer Watman and Rachel Finkelstein 36 Get Lit: new books by Markus Sakey, Tony Trigilio, Judy Natal, Christina Katz, and Stephanie Weaver 39 Backstory: “A Today College,” circa 1972 40 Out There: our special alumni section featuring a CAAN conference report, alumni news and notes, and a message from the national director of alumni relations 46 Point & Shoot: alumni event photos, including “A Night of Moulin Rouge” 48 Upcoming Events

features

10 Striking Poses Darrell Jones takes cultural studies to the dance floor with choreography that explores the richard florida roots of voguing. By Lucia Mauro. Photography by William Frederking. 14 Not-so-secret Success Our 2008 Alumni of the Year: Len Amato (B.A. ’75), Tonya Pinkins (B.A ’96), and Eduardo Vilaro (M.F.A. ’99). By William Meiners. Photography by Drew Reynolds and Andrew Nelles. conversations in the arts presented by columbia college chicago 22 Local International A Theater professor and his family immerse themselves in life in London, bringing that city a little closer to Chicago in the process. By Brian Shaw. 27 Portfolio: Book + Paper Arts Artwork by Ben Blount, Miriam Centeno, Cindy Iverson, Aimee Lee, Mardy Sears, Shawn Sheehy, Jessica Spring, and Jen Thomas.

cover

Tonya Pinkins photographed by Drew Reynolds. Story, page 14.

SUMMER 08

for alumni and friends of Columbia College Chicago vol3 issue3

e d i t o r Ann Wiens e d i t o r i a l a s s i s t a n t Brent Steven White (’08) c l a s s n o t e s e d i t o r Anthony Moss (’08) Columbia’s mission statement, as a good mission statement should, c r e a t i v e d i r e c t o r Mary Forde touches nicely on the core values of the institution. It addresses a r t d i r e c t o r opportunity, creativity, and enlightenment. It acknowledges inclusivity, Guido Mendez diversity, civic purpose, and engagement with its urban setting. But the e d i t o r i a l a d v i s o r y b o a r d Randall Albers line that really resonates with me, as it has with so many others over the Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin years, addresses the college’s intent “to educate students … who will William Cellini (’94) author the culture of their times.” Joan Hammel (’86) Mark Kelly Justin Kulovsek (’04) In this single phrase, one finds a reflection of the ethos of Columbia Jim MacDonald College Chicago at its best, at the moments when its students feel they Alton Miller Christopher Richert (’99) have the support to be brave, to take risks, to venture somewhere new Brian Shaw (’86) even if they’re not quite sure what will happen. It’s an active statement: Jeff Spitz our students aren’t simply observing, recording, or interpreting the culture Jim Sulski (’84) Sam Weller (’89, ’01) of our times; they’re creating it. Columbia College Chicago In this issue, we bring you the stories of three alumni, each of whom chose a different path, but all of whom embraced their passions, chose c h a i r , b o a r d o f t r u s t e e s Allen M. Turner interesting roads over well-worn ones, and helped form the way we define p r e s i d e n t success in the process. The college honored these three—producer Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D. Len Amato, actor/author Tonya Pinkins, and choreographer Eduardo v i c e p r e s i d e n t f o r institutional advancement Vilaro—with Alumni of the Year Awards this year, in part because their Eric V.A. Winston, Ph.D. work and their lives epitomize the mission of the college. These three n a t i o n a l d i r e c t o r o f a l u m n i r e l a t i o n s have achieved success by any definition, and are indeed authoring the Joshua Culley-Foster (’03) culture of our times. d i r e c t o r o f a l u m n i o p e r a t i o n s Michelle Passarelli (’99) d i r e c t o r o f a l u m n i p r o g r a m s In the coming year we look forward to bringing you many more such a n d c h a p t e r development stories, of alumni who have found a very public kind of success behind a Cynthia Vargas (’01) d i r e c t o r o f a l u m n i r e l a t i o n s , camera or in front of an audience, but also those of you whose success w e s t c o a s t may occur behind the scenes or in a less public arena, but is no less Sarah Schroeder (’00) significant because it flies below the radar.

DEMO (volume 3, number 3) is published by Columbia Regards, College Chicago. It is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college three times a year. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the writers alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of Columbia College Chicago. © Columbia College Chicago 2008.

For change of address, please write DEMO magazine, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Ann Wiens / Editor Chicago, IL 60605 or call 312.369.7519 or email email US @: [email protected].

[email protected] To submit news and class notes, login to theLoop at CALL US: www.colum.edu/alumni and click on “Alumni Class Notes.” Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Add Note” Columbia College Chicago: 312.369.1000 to submit your class note. (Please be sure you are logged DEMO magazine: 312.369.8631 in to the community to access class notes). or mail US: What do you think? Please send letters intended for publication to: Letters to the Editor, DEMO magazine, DEMO magazine, Columbia College Chicago Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Creative and Printing Services Chicago, Illinois 60605. Or email [email protected]. Letters must include sender’s name and contact 600 South Michigan Avenue information for verification purposes. We reserve the

DEMO 2 Chicago, IL 60605 right to edit letters for length and clarity.

for alumni and friends of Columbia College Chicago

Next year, the City of Chicago celebrates the centennial of The Plan for Chicago, Daniel Burnham’s seminal document outlining his grand vision for the development of the city. It is widely considered the nation’s first comprehensive urban plan. “Make no little plans,” he famously said, “they have no magic to stir men’s blood … Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die.” Columbia has always been inspired by big ideas, and we like to make big plans. In 1891, Mary Blood founded Columbia College, inspired by the announcement of the Word’s Columbia Exposition that Burnham, primary designer of the fair, was poised make larger than life. And in 1968, Columbia’s president Mike Alexandroff developed the educational principles that inform much of what we do here at Columbia to this day. In developing the current mission, Mike put the following principles front and center: The melding of theory and practice; diversity as a learning resource; the city as our classroom; the importance of access and opportunity; and the understanding that human talent and intelligence takes many forms.

When Mike outlined these principles 40 years ago, Columbia had 600 students, one rented building, and about 60 full-time faculty and staff. Today, we enroll more than 12,000 students, our South Loop campus comprises two dozen buildings, and we employ more than 1,000 full-time faculty and staff. We’ve achieved this success by adhering to the principles set forth in our mission, continually revisiting them within the current social, political, economic, and academic climates.

Throughout this academic year, we will examine and honor our mission through our lecture series, “Conversations in the Arts: The Founders Lectures.” Each speaker in this series has been chosen because of his Dr. Warrick Carter Photo: Erika Dufour (B.A. ’97). or her unparalleled contributions to a field of practice or scholarship, but also because of the relationship of those contributions to the central principles upon which Columbia College is founded. Our first speaker, Jonathan Kozol, is known for his advocacy for public education and the rights of children, and his groundbreaking book, Savage Inequalities. Sir Ken Robinson is an eloquent speaker on the relationship between creativity and education. Anna Deavere Smith will discuss the importance of diversity in creative expression, and Richard Florida, author of the best seller The Rise of the Creative Class, is a strong spokesperson for the importance of creative people—like our graduates—in the global economy.

Daniel Burnham’s Plan for Chicago is still influencing the development of our city 100 years later. The work of these intellectuals reminds us of the principles that inform our mission, which resonates today in even bigger ways than anyone could have imagined. Big plans have a way of doing that.

Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D. President, Columbia College Chicago DEMO4 generous donors. contributions ofthecollege’s most installation recognizingthelifetime monument,Contributors awall for theunveiling oftheCircle Photography of Contemporary Ave.) andtheadjacentMuseum Campus Center(600S.Michigan filled thelobby oftheAlexandroff faculty, staff, alumni, andfriends college trustees, administrators, In March, afestivegatheringof — columbia community news fromthe Micki Leventhal, Photo: BobKusel. onMarch6,of theCircleContributors 2008. Allen M.Turner raiseatoastattheunveiling Trustee MarciaLazar, oftheBoard andChairman Columbia CollegePresidentWarrick L.Carter, Major Donors Installation Recognizes Circle ofContributors reported by Brent Steven White, and AnnWiens

support ofitsmission.”support to ColumbiaCollegeChicagoin have contributedsogenerously to “spotlighttheindividualswho of theinstallation, Lazarsaid, is spirit ofColumbia.” Theintent ’01), “andIthink itcapturesthe MarciaLazar (M.F.A.said trustee “It’s tastefulandeyecatching,” year torecognizefuturedonors. allowing namestobeaddedeach design isintentionallyflexible, or moreover theirlifetimes.The to thecollegetotaling$10,000 whohaveof donors madegifts installation listingthenames Print Services,isapermanent Columbia’s OfficeofCreativeand (M.F.A. ’01)andBenBilow of The wall, designedby SarahFaust

completed in early 2010. completed inearly tobe Plans callforconstruction studio, offices, andclassrooms. sound stages, amotion-capture buildingthatincludes two story environmentally sustainable, one- Gang’s designproposesan and thecityasawhole.” tremendous assettothecommunity features, thecenterwillbecomea design andenvironmental Randall . “Withitsunique Arnold and Development Commissioner Loop,” ofPlanning saidDepartment ongoing revitalization oftheSouth tothe parcel oflandisimportant redevelopment ofthislong-vacant sale ofthesitebeapproved. “The the ChicagoCityCouncilthat unanimously torecommend Development Councilvoted In June, thecity’s Community architects ofthebuilding. StudioGang,Chicago-based firm designs by JeanneGangofthe a presentationofconceptual Streets. Theboard’s actionfollowed southwest of16thandState corner foot buildingonavacantsiteatthe thecirca-40,000-square- construct and $21 milliontoacquireproperty approved ameasurethatallocates In Decemberthecollege’s board landsale. the necessary agreement by the city to recommend funding byand theboardoftrustees reality recently, withtheapproval of building have moved closerto academic new-construction first Columbia’s planstobuildits Groundbreaking Center Moves Toward Media Production by StudioGangArchitects. College ChicagoMediaProductionCenter Maquette oftheproposedColumbia in Chicago’s history.” photojournalists the mostimportant ranks tobecomeprobablyoneof background androsethroughthe back. Andhecamefromahumble have valueandsomethingtogive students by makingyoufeellike you He’s abletogetthebestoutofhis White. “He’s suchaninspiration. (’05), whotookthreeclasseswith says photography alumBradBretz much hecaresforhisstudents,” John meanstopeopleandhow “It was reallygreattoseehowmuch contests, amongothers. two-minute “shootout,” andphoto reviews,including portfolio a and alumni,inactivities tookpart group, comprisingmostlystudents echoed throughouttheday asthe White’s slogan, “Keep inFlight,” with futuregenerations. andsharethetruth to tellthetruth hesaysphotojournalists—which is of work and theimportant the event was abouthisstudents year atColumbia, hewouldsay who iscelebratinghisthirtieth professor. Butifyouasked White, and beloved ColumbiaCollege Sun Times staffphotographer, Prize-winning photojournalist, about JohnH.White, thePulitzer LovePJ (photojournalism) was all RowCinema. Film was heldonApril12atColumbia’s symposium,photojournalism which attended theannual“PJLove” About 150photojournalists Their “PJLove” John H.WhiteShow Students of Sound reinforcement (live sound) major Nelson Robinson with his gilded gramophone.

Audio Arts & Acoustics Student Wins Grammy John H. White (center) shares his “PJ Love” with students at the annual photojournalism By the time he picked up his diploma symposium. Photo: Brad Bretz (’05). in May, Nelson Robinson, a 2008 graduate of the Audio Arts and Acoustics department, had already picked up another impressive token Presenters at the event included Board of Trustees of accomplishment: a 2008 Grammy some of America’s best Elects Officers, Three Award for his work as co-engineer on photojournalists, who flocked to New Members the Clark Sisters’ live gospel album, Columbia to honor their revered Sylvia Neil, a long-time advocate for One Last Time. The album, which teacher. Among the returning alumni Columbia’s board of trustees has religious liberty and civil rights, is won Best Traditional Gospel Album, were Pablo Martinez-Montivais added three new members to its an attorney and adjunct professor was recorded live in Houston in the (’94), an Associated Press White ranks, and has announced its of law at Northwestern University spring of 2006, when Robinson House photographer and Pulitzer leadership for the coming year. School of Law, and founder and was a junior at Columbia. Robinson Prize winner; Bob Davis (’98), an chair of the Project on Gender, described the honor as “shocking … award-winning photojournalist, At its spring meeting, the board Culture, Religion, and the Law I didn’t expect it at all.” wedding photojournalist, and approved a slate of officers, which at Brandeis University. She has entrepreneur; Karen Pulfer includes Allen Turner as chairman served as the executive director Jack Alexander, director of live Focht (’86), an award-winning and Ellen Stone Belic, Warren and legal counsel of the American sound reinforcement in the Audio photojournalist for The Commercial King Chapman, Don Jackson, and Jewish Congress for the Midwest Arts and Acoustics department, Appeal in Memphis; and Erik Unger Marcia Lazar as vice chairs. John region and as a commissioner described the Grammy winner as a (’99), chief photographer for Crain’s Gehron will serve as secretary and with the Illinois and Cook County “great student” who “stood up tall” Chicago Business. Ralph Gidwitz as treasurer. The commissions for human rights. among his peers.“I’d like to think we board also welcomed a new student helped him get to where he’s at, but A panel that addressed issues representative, Adam Werlinger, a Raymond Spencer is CEO of while that kid was in school he was facing women photojournalists senior who is majoring in performing Capgemini’s Financial Services jumping on planes to go do major included Debra Meeks, Stacey arts management. Strategic Business Unit, and the acts; it’s pretty amazing, actually,” Wescott, René Edde, and Ginny founder of Kanbay International, Alexander said. “He walked up to Narsete; journalism faculty member Pamela Kendall-Rijos, one of Inc., a global information technology me and told me he won a Grammy, Barbara Iverson moderated. Columbia’s three new trustees, is a services firm, which he sold to and I said, ‘Excuse me?’” vice president at Goldman Sachs & Capgemini in 2006. Spencer was The Columbia College Library is Co. A chartered financial analyst and inducted into the Chicago Area Going forward, Robinson plans to creating an archive about John and a member of the Goldman Sachs Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2003 freelance and work toward landing his classes. If you have material Leadership Council for Private Wealth and was named Ernst & Young’s a full-time job operating live sound. related to John or his work, Management, Kendall-Rijos has Entrepreneur of the Year for the contact Heidi Marshall, College served in a number of community Illinois region in 2005. Spencer And where does he keep his Archivist, at 312.369.8689 or email leadership positions as a volunteer attended law school at the University precious Grammy? “It’s in my [email protected]. or board member. of Adelaide in his native Australia. basement now,” Robinson said. DEMO6 … it was somehow worth it.”… itwas somehow worth touched by my beingtheretohelp way, was even ifonlyoneperson better thelifeofanotherinsome time away to fromschoolandwork that experiencetowant tousemy here againbecauseIwas drivenby from lastyear’s trip, andIwas inside ofmehadbeenchanged year inarow, wrote:“Something Salvo, forthesecond participating many onthetrip, studentNicole homes. Echoingthesentimentsof shelter, andrebuildingprivate camp forsecond-graders, ananimal school, worked atanelementary a They bus andheadedsouthtowork. with facultyandstaff, piledintoa This year, 60students, nearly along be amember. hardcan student willingtowork and contribute.Any Columbia or disaster-stricken communities funds inordertotravel topoverty- allyeartoraise Reach Outworks organization Thestudent-run struck. Katrina passed sinceHurricane have threeyears though nearly of thecityremaindevastated even New Orleans, wherevastsections their springbreaktohelprebuild students, faculty, andstaffused For thethirdyearrunning, Columbia to New Orleans Students ReachOut the practiceofdemocracy. contributeto consider howthearts ofthecenterwasongoing concern to country’s “culture wars.” and An early had becomeapoliticalfootballin the aboutthewaysa concern thearts that beganin1994, emergingfrom (“DemocraticVistas”) of forums The centerevolved fromaseries educationinparticular.”on arts onculturalpolicy,discourse and its contributionstonational of theachievements ofthecenter, Kapelke . “Thecollegeisproud PresidentSteven Senior Vice operations,” saidProvost and continue tosubsidizethecenter’s is notpossibleforthecollegeto priorities thatColumbiafaces, it “In lightofthemultitude to highereducation. of growingfinancialchallenges to focusresourcesatatime year. Thedecisionreflectsaneed August 31, theendofthisfiscal Policy (CAP)on its CenterforArts Columbia CollegeChicagoisclosing Policy toClose Center for Arts Dimitri Moore. Photo: Orleans. triptoNew service Out’s spring-break house duringReach students repaira other Columbia (foreground) and Shanna Vincent University ofChicago. University Research Center(NORC)atthe in theproject, theNationalOpinion Project (TARP), withCAP’s partner the Teaching Research Artist Rabkin willcontinuethatendeavor, teaching artists. large project, anationalstudyof teaching artists,leadingCAP’s next were by theproductsofwork projects innovative arts-education findings thatthebestandmost Thisreflectedthecenter’sartists. professional publicationforteaching of theTeaching Journal,Artist the In 2006, CAPtookover publication associate directorRobinRedmond. as executivedirectorin2001, and Nick Rabkin, whojoinedthecenter . Thebookwas editedby Century Reframing Educationinthe21st book Puttingthe inthePicture: Arts which was developed inthe2005 of theeducationallchildren, asanessentialpart for thearts todevelop acasestatement effort andtheArts,”and “Learning an Neighborhoods,” publishedin2002, inChicago Arts “The Informal projects includeastudyof Some ofCAP’s mostsignificant Commencement, Saturday, May 17.Photo:BobKusel (’75) Dan Ratherspeaksatthe2008ColumbiaCollegeChicago “Not-so-secret Success,” page14. more ontheAlumniofYear, see Luna NegraDanceTheater. For directorof Chicago’sand artistic (M.F.A.Eduardo Vilaro ’99), founder Jelly’s LastJam ; andchoreographer won aTony Award forherrolein actor Tonya Pinkins(B.A.’96), who senior vicepresidentofHBOFilms; producer LenAmato(B.A.’75), Alumni oftheYear went honors to also honoredattheceremonies. Three distinguishedalumniwere Maurice White, andVerdine White . : PhilipBailey, Fire R&BbandEarth,legendary Wind & ofthe four oftheoriginalmembers photographer GracielaIturbide;and Dan Rather;notedMexican awarded tocelebratedjournalist This year, doctorateswere honorary and spiritofthecollege. embodiestheideals whose work politics, andpublicinformation individuals inthearts,education, outstanding Columbia honors recipients amongthem.Eachyear distinguishedhonorary-degree very May 18—and therewere afew Saturday, May 17andSunday, commencement ceremonieson in Columbia’s three(yes, three!) 2,000graduatesparticipated Nearly Honorary Degrees Honorary Accept Earth, Wind&Fire Rather, Iturbide, and Ralph Johnson, Public Programming Preview for 2008-09

Columbia has several programming series in the works for the coming year. For detailed and up-to-date information throughout the year, visit www.colum.edu/events.

On the Road with the Beat Generation Jack Kerouac typed his first draft of On the Road on a 120-foot– long scroll during a three-week writing marathon. The scroll is the centerpiece of “and the Beats go on...” a series of exhibitions and programs examining the literary and cultural legacy of the Beat Generation, including the first major conference on the Beats to be held in 14 years. Find more information at colum.edu/beats. Columbia’s ABBA-inspired float, Human|Nature created by students, alumni, and staff, garnered an honorable mention Each year, the college explores a in this year’s Chicago Gay Pride theme through our campus-wide Parade. Photo: Niki Grangruth. Critical Encounters initiative, which

Averill and Bernard Leviton at the brings together art, academia, and ribbon-cutting celebration for the campus the community in conversations Columbia’s Pride Has gallery that now bears their names. about current issues. This year’s a Retro Kitsch Flair Photo: Robyn Martin (’05) theme is Human|Nature, and will engage the entire campus in an For the third consecutive year, examination of how geography, Columbia’s float entry in the culture, economics, and other Chicago Gay Pride Parade won A + D Gallery societal factors influence our an award. Following on the heels Rededicated The street-level gallery, one of relationship as humans with the of its last two musically themed several such prominent exhibition natural world. Visit colum.edu/ floats—inspired byThe Sound of The Wabash Avenue exhibition spaces on Columbia’s South Loop criticalencounters for details. Music and Nancy Sinatra, each of space of the Department of Art and campus, presents professional which won Best Organization Float Design was rededicated this spring, exhibitions and educational Conversations in the Arts in its respective year—this­ year’s becoming the Averill and Bernard programming with a primary focus This year’s Conversations in the Arts ABBA Dancing Queen-inspired entry Leviton A + D Gallery. The renaming, on process and the development program series will be called The snagged an honorable mention. which honors the Levitons’ long of ideas into art. In accordance Founders Lectures, and will focus on service and generous support of the with its mission, the gallery themes central to Columbia’s core A crew of nearly 30 students, college, was marked with a ribbon- presents emerging and established mission and values. Speakers coming staff, alumni, and friends of the cutting ceremony on May 8. artists whose work reflects any to campus to participate in this series college worked to create the glittery of the nine disciplines taught in include Jonathan Kozol (October 20), extravaganza, from the multitude “Columbia College is about our the department, including fine arts, Sir Ken Robinson (December 2), of mirrored disco balls to the silver students; they are creative, with interior architecture, illustration, Anna Deavere Smith (January 27), lamé capes and leatherette hot a yearn to learn, so of course my fashion design, advertising, art and Richard Florida (April 30). See pants the dancers donned to make husband and I are honored to support direction, product design, graphic inside front cover of this issue for their way through rain and shine those goals,” said Averill Leviton. design, and art history. details and ticket information. along the parade route. DEMO8 are a part ofthiscommunity.”are apart members, andit’s thatwe important thing todo.Alotofotherschools are Campus Environment. “It’s theright project managerintheOfficefor sustainable,” saidJoeLeamanczyk, “It’s withinourmissiontobe recognizes sustainablepractices. Building RatingSystem, which Environmental Design) and its Green and inEnergy program (Leadership the publicthroughitsLEED building practicesandeducates consume. Italsoexpandsgreen they amount (andtypes)ofenergy and businessesthatreducethe homes tocertify The USGBCworks Green BuildingCouncil(USGBC). has becomeamemberoftheU.S. sustainable practices, Columbia consumptionandincrease energy ofitscommitmenttoreduce As part Production Centerby StudioGangArchitects. Architectural drawing oftheproposed Media Green BuildingCouncil Columbia JoinsU.S. ventilation, andairconditioning. greener approachtoward heating, materials. Bothwillalsotake a withsustainable will beconstructed Media ProductionCenter(above) building andtheyet-to-be-built fifth floorofthe33EastCongress The apply forLEEDcertification. projects underway forwhichitwill hastwo The collegecurrently noted Katzman. Hollywood insteadofintheValley,” in themiddleofaction “The studentswillreallylike being industry. entertainment a widerangeofcareerfieldsinthe across Katzman, opportunities offers ahead. Theprogram, headedby Jon invaluable inhelpingstudentsget whose knowledgeandadvicecanbe professionals, entertainment-industry ofhundredsworking network industry. Itdraws onthe college’s exposure totheentertainment togainfirst-hand the opportunity Columbia CollegeChicagostudents program thatallowsfull-time Semester inL.A.isanintensive industries.”entertainment visions andvoicesinthecreative with acommoncommitmenttonew histories ofRaleighandColumbia, “great resonancebetween the School ofMediaArts,citingthe ,Doreen Bartoni deanofColumbia’s inthecountry,”enterprises said oldest andmostrespectedstudio a leasewithRaleigh, oneofthe “We arethrilledtobeenteringinto the CBSlotinStudioCity. previously occupiedabungalowon Melrose Avenue. Theprogram had in thehistoricBronsonbuildingon 12. The2,000-square-footspaceis 11-acre Hollywood complex on May new homeonRaleighStudios’ program,immersion moved toa signature entertainment-industry Semester inL.A., Columbia’s Goes toHollywood Semester inL.A. American InHouse DesignAward. won a2008GraphicDesignUSA thisyear,excellence. Earlier Demo and aSilverMedalforoverall a GoldMedalforgraphicdesign and editedby AnnWiens, won Report, also designed by Mendez of Creativity, the 2006 President’s Gauldin(B.A.’03), Robert Culture exhibition catalog, designed by onGuy” (B.A. ’07)andthe“Girl brochure, designedby JehanAbon The DanceCenteracademic wentOther designhonors to a Silver Medal for graphicdesign. designed by GuidoMendez, won publications. Demo, whichis the fieldofcollegeanduniversity in the mostprestigioushonors of ExcellenceAwards, among Education (CASE)withCircle of Advancement andSupport the Councilfor by honored several Columbia publications Demo magazinewas among Design Awards Publications Win Demo, OtherCollege Semester inL.A.program. the new location ofColumbia’s Raleigh StudiosinHollywood,

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir / Scotland Yard Gospel Choir [Bloodshot Records, 2007. sygc.com] Columbia connection: Nan Warshaw, co-owner of Bloodshot Records, received a master’s in Arts Entertainment and Media Management in 1994. Kegan Simon, Bloodshot’s retail director, earned a master’s New recordings by in AEMM in 2006. Mary Ralph, who sings and plays guitar in Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, attended Columbia from 1999 until 2002. She Columbia Alumni studied early childhood education. and Faculty The sound: Indie By Brent Steven White The word: It’s been a long journey for Elia Einhorn. Growing up, the Welsh-born singer-songwriter for the Chicago-based indie act Scotland Yard Gospel Choir dealt drugs and experienced many lows. To submit a recording However, he got clean and now uses his music to address the turmoil for consideration in DEMO, of his troubled youth. On this self-titled album, Einhorn and company send a CD and press release to: examine topics such sexual identity, mental illness, and drug abuse. DEMO magazine The band is frequently compared to Belle & Sebastian, a fair and Columbia College Chicago accurate comparison. From its easy-to-whistle melodies to its dense 600 S. Michigan Ave. instrumentation, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir simultaneously nods to its Chicago, IL 60605 predecessors and takes a promising leap forward for local indie music. Priority will be given to recent recordings on a label. CDs will not be returned. Able Baker Fox / Voices [Second Nature Recordings, 2008. ablebakerfox.com] Columbia connection: Bassist/vocalist Ben Reed graduated in 2006 with a B.F.A. in photography, and until recently worked in Columbia’s admissions office as the communications coordinator. The sound: Post-punk/rock The word: Able Baker Fox sounds like someone who “has a case of the Mondays,” the band’s MySpace profile reads. But silly references to lines in the movie Office Space don’t do Able Baker Fox justice. Aggressive, melodic, and heavily textured, this band sounds like a group of seasoned musicians, despite its relatively short existence. Echoing instrumental greats like Pelican, Russian Circles, and post-punk revolutionaries At the Drive-In, Able Baker Fox is raw enough to remain legitimate, but polished enough to garner accessibility.

Joan Hammel / Joanland [Paxton Productions, 2005. joanhammel.com] Columbia connection: Joan Hammel graduated from Columbia in 1986 with a B.A. in television. She’s president of the North Suburban Chicago chapter of CAAN, the Columbia Alumni Association and Network. The sound: Easy listening The word: Since graduating from Columbia in the late ’80s, Hammel has worked in music, theater, film, radio, television, and commercials. She has a long resume that includes many awards and nods of recognition, including being a four-time nominee for Pop Entertainer of the Year from the Chicago Music Awards. This year, she was nominated for entertainer of the year. She appeared in the cult-classic Bill Murray filmGroundhog Day, and worked with other well-known movie stars, including Robert De Niro and Andie McDowell. On her first full- length album, Hammel sings about love, heartbreak, and hope.

Brent Steven White is DEMO’s editorial assistant. A 2008 journalism graduate, he played guitar in a Portland, Oregon band before moving to Chicago. strikingposes

Artist-in-residence Darrell Jones takes cultural studies to the dance floor with choreography that explores the social, racial, and gender roots of voguing.

By Lucia Mauro photography by William Frederking 10 DEMO Madonna took the notion of striking a pose mainstream with her 1990 hit, “Vogue.” But dancer/choreographer Darrell Jones’s research into the multilayered voguing dance aesthetic—a fashion-inspired style rooted in gay black culture—has nothing to do with commercial appeal. With support from a Chicago DanceMakers Forum grant, Jones, artist-in- strikingp ses residence in the Dance department, aims “to unravel the physical poetics o of this dance form and how it has become a present metaphor for ideas of power and transgression.” So Jones has been probing beneath the notorious runway struts of voguing (which takes its name from the fashion magazine) to extract the dance’s deeper connections to racism, sexual identify, and empowerment, as well as its fierce melding of movement styles: breakdancing, martial arts, gymnastics, and improvisation.

Gender, after all, is at the heart of voguing, a dance style that dates back to the underground Jones, who holds degrees in dance gay culture of 1930s Harlem. Its and psychology from Florida State popularity rose among the African- University (Tallahassee) and the American, Latino, and transgendered University of Florida (Gainesville), is segments of the gay community in intrigued by how voguing stands at 1980s Manhattan—a phenomenon the crossroads of hyper-femininity chronicled in Jennie Livingston’s and hyper-masculinity. This idea 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. is embodied in a life-changing experience he had in New York City. Voguers belong to specific “Houses,” While walking up North 125th Street, such as House of Chanel, a structure Jones noticed a crowd of people that pays homage to fashion suddenly “parting like the Red Sea.” designers and allows the dancers Through the awestruck pedestrians to create their own surrogate emerged a tough-looking black man families. The House, akin to a wearing baggy hip-hop gear and a college fraternity, is where they are pair of Manolo Blahnik sling-back free to express themselves among mules. And, as Jones recalls, “he their peers without being judged by was pumping them.” But Jones was mainstream society. most struck by the man’s “strength of his convictions” and how he created a world for himself that allowed him to live those gender- toppling convictions “so freely and openly in the theater of life.” DEMO12 become AlexisCarrington.” says, “ifyoulabelmeevil, thenI’ll can maintainhispower. “So,” he whereagaya world blackman this, hetheorizes, istiedtocreating it uptoten.” behind Thepsychology feminineaspectandturning certain a a senseofdefiance—finding movement; it’s anattitudeand more, says Jones:“It’s notjust body movements. Butit’s somuch angular, linear, andrigidleg and duckwalks integratedwith photo-model-like poses, sashays, spin, voguingischaracterizedby Originally calledpop, dip, and ‘you’re notfeelin’it.’” you knowif‘you’re feelin’it’orif They won’t holdback.They’ll let asifit’sperformers acompetition. vocallyjudgethe audience canvery Andthe to goupandperform. people have thepotential observing The it needstobeaclubsetting. “The venueiskey,” hesays, “and battling itoutonthedancefloor. realvoguers viewers toobserve dance, asconcert heallowedform does notintendtomainstreamthe he makeshift nightclub.Because Swan fromtheEnd, atGalaxy, a culmination of hisproject, Third of voguing, Jonespresentedthe To maintaintheundergroundspirit ofthemorning. hours warehouses orclubsintothewee “balls,” whichtake placeinempty to Braziliancapoeirainaseriesof fromhip-hop everything incorporates dangerously physical aestheticthat It’ssynching. ahighlystylizedand female impersonation, orlip voguing isnotadragperformance, But Jonesisquicktopointoutthat confused withthedragscene. women’s couture, voguingisoften wearBecause thedancers elaborate for expression. for expression. fantasy, it provides asafeplace within thecontextoftheateror to beeffeminate.Butsinceit’s that voguinggiveshimpermission underground voguinggroup), says House ofAvant-Garde (an Jones, amemberofChicago’s outside thegay community. display theirfemininitywithinand how muchorlittlethey should many gay with menstruggling Through voguing, hehasmet somehow thatwas inappropriate.” I was beingtooeffeminateand that timeI remember thefirst was told me alittle, buthealsomademe unsanitized movement. Hescared Mizrahi] doingreallyflamboyant, totheHouseofIsaac name refers a dancernamedAndreMizrahi[last Jones, now38.“Irememberseeing to agay clubinAtlanta,” recounts “I was about18or19andwent highly improvisational? butisalso has ageneralstructure interested invoguing, that aform Urban BushWomen—become of RalphLemon, BebeMiller, and inthecompanies has performed and trained dancer postmodern who So howdidJones—anacademic who like todresslike awoman.” way tobecomingawomanthose performers, fromsomeoneontheir adds, “encompasses arangeof and Femme Queen.“Voguing,” he categories, includingButchQueen as well assolosinvarious duet“battles,” perform voguers “realness,” addsJones, whosays and with aconfidentcarriage pay closeattentiontodancers Unknown DJ.Judgesattheballs and “Wonder Woman” by T-Pro vs. for Me,” LaCubanita’s “Toca Me,” include RobbieTronco’s “Walk through themusic, whichcan power ischanneled The ultra-girrrl just movement—it’s lifeordeath.” body hasexperienced.Andit’s not mechanism. Thesearethingsyour strideasasurvival with aneffortful just walk withanattitude.You walk this possible:“Invoguing, youdon’t Voguing, heacknowledges, made responses intoabstractmovement. to thestudioandre-shapesthose body responds, thengoesback in thesituation.Heseeshowhis so that he can physically put himself he attendspoliticaldemonstrations arises fromriots.For hisresearch, he addressesthemomentumthat at Columbiainspring2009).Init, to premiereatTheDanceCenter company TheSeldoms(scheduled of Anarchy,” fortheChicago-based choreographing apiece, “Whiff reasearch.” Heiscurrently an approachhecalls“embodied teaches andchoreographsfrom level,On apersonal Jonesnow last thingIwant todoisgentrify it.” stage.Hestresses, the concert “The danceandvoguingon postmodern Jones hasnointentionoffusing Ultimately,ongoing transformations. andchronicleits itshistory preserve to voguing allowsforanopportunity believes aconsistentspacefor with jobplacement.Moreover, he dealing withHIV/AIDSandassists ofthecommunity members serves a placetostudydancemoves. It school. Yet Jonescallsitmorethan ofvoguinghasestablisheda art thattheitinerant contradictory stage forweekly balls.Itmay seem anda training groundforvoguers Opulence, West apermanent of Side Avant-Garde openedtheSchool Most recently, theHouseof Lucia Mauro Arts at ColumbiaArts College. of the School of Fine and Performing andassociatedean department is facultyinthePhotography Radio. dance contributor for Chicago Public and nationalpublications.Sheisa Chicago Tribune, inthe appears writerwhosework arts William F

Chicago magazine, is a dance critic and rederking

“Voguing is not just movement; it’s an attitude and a sense of defiance— finding a certain feminine aspect and turning it up to ten.” [

DEMO14 not bring exceptionalcreativitytotheirfields, andexemplifythespiritofcollege. Columbia’s 2008AlumnioftheYear—Len Amato, T Senior Vice PresidentforHBOFilms SeniorVice Len Amato • so onya Pinkins, andEduardoV • secret ilaro—

define Columbia. of thevaluesandspiritthat but alsotheirembodiment their successinfields, acknowledging notonly Alumni oftheYear awards, who have donejustthatwith honored threeindividuals This year, thecollege into professionalachievement. passion apersonal turning alumni, is thebenchmark Columbia CollegeChicago New York stage?For many criticalacclaimona Finding will take yourbreathaway”? 10 womeninAmericawho proclaim youoneof“the DeNiro?Having Oprah Robert Working foryour“hero,” How do you measure success? ]

By William Meiners (M.F.A. ’96) Photography by Drew Reynolds (B.A. ’97) and Andrew Nelles (B.A. ’08) Amato admits he hadn’t had a straight job in years when he sent a one-page letter to his “hero actor,” Robert De Niro, regarding a film company the actor wanted to start in New York, Tribeca Productions. • • But that trip to FedEx, and the subsequent meeting with De Niro, not so secret success would forever change Amato’s [ ] professional life. Amato got the job, reading scripts for De Niro as the legendary actor’s story editor.

Len Amato (B.A. ’75) grew up on Amato liked what he saw at Today, as senior vice president for Chicago’s West Side, often heading Columbia, which he describes as HBO Films, Amato’s on the West with his friends to one of the many an “outlaw type of school,” with Coast, working closely with writers grand old theaters downtown to departments spread out all over and overseeing film development see the movies that he loved. the city. (He recalls that the film and production. Through each of Amato was a fan of actors, but department had a couple of floors the companies he’s worked for, from he also seemed to be drawn to in a “warehouse-looking” building Tribeca to Spring Creek to HBO, films that were the work of great at Ohio and Lakeshore Drive, and Amato has continuously looked for directors, such as Howard Hawks the writing and dance departments the best stories to bring to the big and Billy Wilder. This developing were located elsewhere.) He met screen. He contributed to Academy aesthetic would serve him well his future wife, a dance major Award-nominated films Blood later, as he made a name for named Diana Conforti (B.A. ’76), Diamond and Analyze This. His first himself in the business. at a makeshift bookstore. “There credit as a producer came with the were a bunch of Vietnam vets going movie First Time Felon in 1997. When Amato was coming of age there,” Amato said. “I was able to “My strength has always been in the early 1970s, many young get a scholarship and became a in story and script,” says Amato, American men were dealing with teaching assistant, so that’s why believing “a comfortable, creative a lottery that had nothing to do I decided to go there.” environment” can lead to artistic with power balls or instant breakthroughs for writers, actors, millionaires. A low draft-lottery While at Columbia, Amato and directors alike. number could mean a trip to wrote and directed two films; Vietnam. When the government fictional works in a time when What does the Columbia alumni stopped giving college deferments, most students were focusing on award mean to this punk rocker Amato spent a couple of years at documentaries. (After graduation, turned producer? “It’s an honor,” Triton Junior College, taking classes he did end up working on one says Amato. “It makes me proud. and waiting to see if he was going documentary, filming the pope in I think it’s meaningful for the school, to get drafted. A high lottery number the Vatican.) In 1979, a few years which had really humble beginnings. kept him on Chicago soil, so he after graduation, Amato moved I loved going there. You had decided to find someplace to finish to New York, and over the course practitioners teaching you, and they up his remaining two years and of the next decade tried to make it brought in directors like Frank Capra earn a college degree. A college as a musician. He was a member and John Cassavetes to talk to us. counselor talked with him about of a couple of “punk and new wave” They wanted you to start making Columbia College. bands, played at CBGB, acted in a movies right away.” play, almost helped make a movie about a garage band, and accepted a writing fellowship at Yaddo. He also began taking steps toward the career in which he would find solid success: film production. DEMO16 played therole.” had tostickmy gunsabouthowI theyperson wanted, andIreally experience. Iwas notalways the was ahardshowtodoand honor.says ofthatparticular “It dream I’d ever hopedfor,” Pinkins in aMusical.“Itwas thehighest the Tony forBestFeatured Actress Jelly’s LastJam, forwhichshewon asSweetperformance Anitain Above theRim.Andtherewas her in1991)tofilmssuchas Frye (she originatedtheroleofLivia ABC soapopera“All MyChildren” film. Hercreditsrangefromthe spanning stage, television, and did, onanactingcareer embarking We Roll Along. Androllalongshe the Broadway productionofMerrily in the stagewhenshegotapart Pinkins gave uptheclassroomfor MellonUniversity,at Carnegie later,A few years studyingtheater a Coke andasmile”adcampaign. at 14, asthe“smile”of“Have breakcame acting class.)Herfirst on “Frasier”—also inhisfirst for hisroleastheelderMr. Crane was JohnMahoney—best known the St.NicholasTheaterCompany actingclassesat in oneofherfirst act alongsideadults.(Aclassmate But shewas alsogoodenoughto Theatre’s Young People’s Program. actressintheGoodman working the SouthSidenativewas a impressive effect.Asateenager, for focusinghermany talentsto Pinkinshasaknack semesters. awritingdegreeinjusttwo earned she even enrolledatColumbia.She already wonaTony Award before Tonya Pinkins(B.A.’96)had Disney hitEnchanted. Romance andCigarettes andthe rolesinJohn Turturro’ssupporting On screen, she’s recentlyplayed Or Change, a2004musical. Twelfth Night, andCaroline, ofShakespeare’smusical version for herrolesinPlay On!,a1997 two moreTonyearned nominations has alsocontinuedtoact.She Life in2006),You she Deserve to DroptheDramaandClaim the bookGetOver Yourself: How of Tonya Pinkins(shepublished evolving life oftheartistically part While writinganddirectingareall her degreeinjusttwosemesters. limits, enablingPinkinstoearned beyond thenormal coursework friend, allowed hertotake on coincidentally anoldgrade-school classes. Heracademicadvisor, student writerandsignedupfor made thedecisiontobecomea Mellon,about ayearatCarnegie actress, having onlyfinished how towrite.Soanacclaimed imaginations andteachingpeople that pridesitselfonjumpstarting Workshop foraColumbiaprogram downtheIowahad turned Writer’s Writingprogramwho in theFiction her tourguidewas ayoungwoman that 1990s. Shefounditfortuitous Columbia—she tookinthemid tour ofherhometowncollege— of me,” says Pinkins, recallingthe way andIoftendowhat’s infront “My lifekindofflowsinacertain recognized athome,” shesays. nicetobe audience. “Itfeelsvery to beleaving Chicagotofindan and film, thatshealways seemed or toLosAngelesfortelevision taken hertoNew York forplays, So muchofheractinglifehas the Columbiaaward isimportant. For Pinkins, of the“Chicago”part its stagework. well knownfor town notparticularly inLosAngeles,life forherself a tobuildatheater trying is currently to beonstage,” says Pinkins, who “The theaterismy andIhave drug streets, keeping sheprefers itlive. somewhat ofafamiliarfaceonthe Cosby Show”may have madeher including “Law &Order”and“The Sowhilecredits absolute thing. but forPinkins, theplay’s the appearances reallypay thebills, Wilson. Thefilmandtelevision Kramer, Tony Kushner, andAugust great playwrights suchasLarry She’s thewordsof interpreted doesn’t shy away fromcontroversy. been criticallyacclaimed, andshe successful, hasgenerally herwork While notalways commercially “It was a hard show to do and a hard experience. I was not always the person they wanted, and I really had to stick to my guns about how I played the role.”

Tonya Pinkins Actor, author, Tony Award winner DEMO18 “Columbia opened art form again.” form art got excitedaboutmy with New York andI I was alittlejaded different perspectives. and processesfrom forms different art me uptolookingat Founder, LunaNegraDanceTheater Eduardo V ilaro Eduardo Vilaro (M.F.A. ’99) had his solo stage debut in an eighth- grade production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, in which he appeared as Linus doing a rumba with his beloved blanket. The Vilaro founded his dance company Six full-time staffers help maintain dancer went on to much more immediately after receiving his Luna Negra, while choreographers auspicious things: he trained at the degree in 1999. Luna Negra, as the and dancers work on contract. Alvin Ailey American Dance School name suggests, is about contrasts. “The artists are taken care of and the Martha Graham School “As someone who enjoys dealing and that’s important,” says Vilaro, of Contemporary Dance before with works that talk about identity, who has earned a grant from the earning a B.F.A. from Adelphi I find so many contrasts in identity Cuban Artists Fund as well as a University in 1988. He went on to and specifically in a Latino culture,” Choreography Fellowship from become a principal dancer with Vilaro says. “Luna Negra is more the Illinois Arts Council. He also Ballet Hispanico of New York. about not taking anything at face received the 2001 Ruth Page Award value. You can be dark, you can be in choreography and was honored Although the Cuban-born dancer light, you can be gray, in between, at Panama’s II International Festival grew up in the Bronx, a desire to or mulatto. There’s much more to of Ballet for his choreographic work. “escape the madness” of the Big being Latino than just one thing, Apple led him to some Second than just icons or stereotypes.” This past winter, Vilaro had his City soul searching at Columbia own homecoming of sorts with a College. Looking for his next career One Chicago Tribune reviewer two-week run of a Luna Negra show step after being a performer, he in particular found that outlook in New York, where he said his old may have rediscovered himself refreshing. “We can thank Cuban- friends “came out of the woodwork.” by founding the Chicago-based born Eduardo Vilaro and his beguiling Beyond his company’s successful Luna Negra Dance Theater. Vilaro dancers for reshaping those New York debut, Vilaro is proudest to characterizes his time at Columbia flashy stereotypes into exquisite be keeping Luna Negra meaningful as a re-energizing period. “Columbia movement poems of heartfelt locally, nationally, and internationally. opened me up to looking at different complexity,” wrote Lucia Mauro. “The company is alive and thriving art forms and processes from and continues to create work that different perspectives,” says Vilaro, For Vilaro, who has created more is relevant and important.” who also examined visual art forms than 20 original works, the and writing throughout his master’s dancing really can take on the Perhaps that’s the best measure studies in the Interdisciplinary Arts shape of a prose poem. “As of success. program. “I was a little jaded with artists we tell stories, whether New York and I got excited about they’re abstract or have a strong William Meiners (M.F.A. ’96) is my art form again.” narrative,” he says. “It’s the a senior writer for Purdue University’s form of story that shares our College of Engineering and the editor- experiences and who we are. in-chief of Sport Literate, a Chicago- And manipulating that with based literary journal available in print and online at sportliterate.org. movement is so rich and complex. Drew Reynolds (B.A. ’97) is a The body, the way it moves, has Los Angeles-based photographer a language in itself. And then on whose clients include Forbes, XLR8R, top of that, adding traditions or Complex Magazine, Thrill Jockey narratives of traditions with that Records, and MCA Records. Andrew language is so powerful because Nelles (B.A. ’08) is an Illinois College you move beyond just a simple Press Association award winning ‘this is what happened.’ You’re photojournalist who graduated in really looking at imagery that May. He is spending his summer connects to emotion and to photographing in Turkey. kinetic memory. Someone might look at that movement and think, ‘I’ve felt that.’” DEMO20 magazine. She is a happy-go-lucky intern for Switchback Books and enjoys being a flaky and tasteless poet. flaky tasteless a and enjoysbeing and Books Switchback happy-go-luckyfor a is intern She magazine. Grassroots Awardhavepoems Her 2008. and 2007 both in in appeared Still LifeonA Rachel venue Z

Finkelstein (secondplace). and RachelFinkelstein by theawardees for2007, JenniferWatman (first place) of ElmaStuckey (1987).Here, we presentthewinningpoems author ofTheBigGate(1976)andCollectedPoems Elma Stuckey Boardinhonorofitsnamesake poet, Poetry The majors. Poetry award was established in 2005 by the totwodistinguishedundergraduate the Englishdepartment The ElmaStuckey Award Poetry ispresentedannuallyby Of God’s hangingskin. Into afumblingpull Breaking thesoftcelledHebrew I openaSiddurandwatch my move fingers like dumbrods Of thelastavenue inBrooklyn. Into thesocket-less face Dead endeye Remember yourchild’s Is tobeRighteous. To beJewish, Karen Your father, hishair-splittingvoice, ofIsrael’sSpindling eachcorner six-pointedface. Your youngwifeandthespittingofherbarefeet, Not pictured: Static inacloudofblackhair. A finefaceofanafterthought The yellow, yourtwenty-year-old Polaroid, ofblood. I was thethinnestpart Had sleptoffthetasteofsilver. I wouldsay Iwishknew you Of loosespectaclesanddrawn eyes. Kept staleinthepocketed mouth Your rabbitholesmoke again, ringsnottoreturn That youwere gone In quitesomecasualway-- If Ishouldlearn, Columbia Poetry Review and Poetry Columbia

(B.F.A.StuckeyElma the received ’08) Poetry Elephant, infiction her and What I Liked About Chris’ First Apartment

I liked how the c.d. receiver plugged into an Ampeg head instead of traditional stereo speakers. How the sound came out softer, warm and minute, though still full-spectrum.

I liked how Jesse Rose’s pieces hung on:

[The wall] an oil of three svelte crème bodies traveling through magenta saturation

[Her computer] 1. Alex (in schizophrenic obsession) gathering house-high woodpiles in their parents’ backyard 2. Jesse, Nikki, and Jesse D. wrapped up in saran, tin foil, and neon string //////////////// Up /////// to ////// their necks! ||||||||||||||||||||||| Over ||||||||| their eyes! ||||||| //\\\:: nipples :://\\\ now sticking through ((the un-raveling))

[Looted] stained glass windowpane, stolen chalkboard from Montrose abandoned church lot

[Littered within] a triage of neon string. popsicle sticks. pairs of Nikes hot sauce packets joint and cigarette ashes bottle caps pins wrappers solder wire bits wire hangers skateboard wheels nails matches mini notebooks

I liked how the shower curtain was a bed sheet. The window treatments were bed sheets, the beds’ canopy a tablecloth, the kitchen table had no tablecloth

I liked that their five-by-two cement back porch beyond the French doors held a bicycle, spray-paint project remnants, a wheelchair, half of a blender

I liked that when Chris came home from 7-11 with gummy candy sour straws & slurpees for himself & Jesse I wasn’t surprised that Jesse got mad that Chris got her a coca-cola flavored one instead of traditional cherry. I said OK, I’m gonna go (I think). Chris said Hey I gotta get the hmm yeah

I liked that whenever I came down prior to four on an anyday, Chris hollered like a mumbling foghorn: “HoldooNAsec—Be there!” sucking open the door, over a pillow in front of his cock, slipping out of its case

Jennifer Watman (B.F.A. ’07), also known as Jen N.W., is a Chicago- based poet and musician who spends most of her nights succumbing to decibels at local music venues. She is an editorial intern for the feminist poetry press Switchback Books. Her work has been published in MiPoesias, Columbia Poetry Review, Wet: A Journal of Proper Bathing, and several independent zines. She claims she comes from a black hole, as we all do. Please check out Myspace.com/jenNWmusic for more information. DEMO22 Confessor SchoolinWestminister. Nicholas withfriendsfromSt.Edward the photos by by Chicago intheprocess. that city a little closer to in life in London, and bring immerse themselves professor andhisfamily A Columbia Theater

Brian Shaw

Brian andStephanieShaw “Turns out the tooth fairy gives 500 pounds for the tooth of a young Saudi prince.”

Two days later, Nick is an expert on the Tube, guiding his mother, sister, and twin brother from Heathrow back to the flat we will be staying in for the next five months in Westminister. We have been in London three days and he is feeling My son Nicholas and I are pitching pennies in the alley behind Hackney Empire. confident reading the Underground map. International Local. Actually, we are pitching 50-pence pieces—this is London, after all, and money comes in pence and pounds. We’ve just come from a meeting with Daisy Sutcliffe, A week later, I am back at Hackney Empire watching the teens perform the education director of Hackney Empire. The Empire is an old music-hall under the watchful gaze of Empire theater, located in Hackney, a poor borough in North-East London. The theater cherubs. Their performance is fully produced, with lights and sound and has been restored to its 1901-era exotic splendor—cherubs and gilt and curtains stage smoke. This relic of the past in impossible colors that somehow work perfectly together. These days they has been restored to present work produce popular theater at The Empire, as well as working extensively with local that is wholly of the current moment. teens, creating original theatrical spectacles blending dance, music, and theater. Four months later I am back at The teens form a truly diverse group, with roots in Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Hackney Empire, in the audience with my family, watching a Europe and the U.K., but they all identify themselves as East Londoners, a peculiar traditional, but “Empire-updated” tribe rooted in a small, tough patch of urban territory that has always drawn, and Christmas panto called Dick continues to draw its residents from all over the world. Local International. Whittington and His Cat. This panto comes complete with cross-dressing and topical references and audience participation, so that when our hero, Dick Whittington—played by a leggy young woman—slaps her thigh and After meeting with Daisy and Ten minutes later, Nick loses a tooth. calls out, “Hiya, Hackney!” to the watching the teens rehearse for The debate begins about how much audience, we roar back in unison, their upcoming show, Nicholas and the English tooth fairy gives for a “Hiya, Dick!” I find ourselves in the alley behind lost tooth. I ask a loc al family in the the theater, and the sidewalk and restaurant. Two minutes later we are Two days later I am back at the the wall make a perfect location for reading a text message the father Empire, meeting with Daisy and pitching pence. Nick is eight years had received from his sister who others to plan how we might old, new to London, and has never is a nanny to a young Saudi prince bring a small group of youths and pitched pence before, but the alley who had just lost a tooth. Turns out teaching artists from Hackney to is a good proving ground and he the tooth fairy gives 500 pounds for work with students and faculty at beats me without my letting him. the tooth of a young Saudi prince. Columbia—along with youths and He’s happy. Local International. (Later that night, teaching artists from some of our the son of this visiting academic to community arts partners in Chicago. Fifteen minutes later, Nicholas is London gets a pound.) International Local. sullen and sobbing. We are having lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant An hour later, Nick is furious with A week later, we are on our way and he’s having difficulty with his me. We got off the bus at King’s back to Chicago, and home. chopsticks. Nick is new to London Cross and I decided to walk back and his emotions are running high. to the flat. It’s turned out to be a longer walk than I expected and Nick is dragging his ass, and justified in his anger with me. DEMO24 again. LocalInternational. the futureandfeellike Londoners and students, toLondonin toreturn allow us, andotherColumbiafaculty thatwill and itscommunitypartners and we builtarelationshipwith UEL We livedmoreorlessasLondoners, almost-daily walks inRegent’s Park. amount ofwritingdone, andtook later thisyear—gotanenormous published by Doorways Publications Mademoiselle Guignol, tobe onanovella titled who isworking and madelocalfriends.Mywife— My childrenwent tolocalschools family forthedurationofvisit. lucky enoughtobejoinedby my such asHackney Empire.Iwas and metwithcommunitypartners research project,classes, observed I taughtworkshops, assistedona host school.WhileIwas atUEL, life, culture, ofthe andcurriculum integrate visitingstudentsintothe semester-long exchangesthat ofstudentsin small numbers exchange program—swapping with whichColumbiahasanofficial ofEastLondon(UEL),the University For fivemonths, I was aguestof at a local international level. at alocalinternational and between bothcities— and familiesatbothschools— between faculty, students, staff relationships thathave grown been establishedinthehuman has taken root.Therootshave Theatre StudiesProgramatUEL andthe the TheaterDepartment The exchangeprogrambetween Local. there. International joining togethertohelpherget London, andColumbiaCollege voices fromHumboldtPark, East end oftheroomtoother— successfully navigated fromone students) joinsher. is Charlotte class (andcheckinguponher faculty memberwhoisobserving the class, andtoday avisitingUEL She isoneoffourUELstudentsin ofEastLondon. the University andsheisfrom name isCharlotte Columbia Theaterstudents.Her and Humboldt Park teenagers ofamix constructed course led throughahumanobstacle woman isblindfolded.Shebeing high school,Año.One ElCuarto Association House’s alternative with agroupofstudentsfrom Practicum class, whoareworking with studentsfrommy Teaching English andSpanish.I’mthere in behavior-health services educational, child-welfare, and Park neighborhoodthatoffers organization inChicago’s Humboldt Association House, acommunity home,returned andIamat It’s beentwomonthssincewe Nicholas, Linus, Spencer, and BrianShaw. Information www.hackneyempire.co.uk can befoundat: aboutHackney Information Empire www.uel.ac.uk/ipad can befoundat: Theatre Studies Program at UEL in New York. StreetTheatre at theBarrow Chicago, andoff-Broadway at theChopinTheaterin Maher withTheaterOobleck in TheStrangerer by Mickle he appearedasJimLehrer Plasticene. Mostrecently, physical theatercompany theater, primarilywiththe for creator oforiginalworks director, aswell asa and He isaperformer Columbia CollegeChicago. at Theater department is associatechairofthe Brian Shaw

(B.A.’86) about the The President’s Club COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO

We invite you to join us in bringing talent

to life.

Donors of $1,000 or more annually to any area of the college are recognized as members of the President’s Club, Become the most prestigious giving society at Columbia College Chicago. a President’s Our generous President’s Club donors enjoy exclusive invitations to several Club new and exciting events featuring member! celebrities in the arts. To learn more: Call Kim Clement at 312.369.7084 or visit colum.edu/giving. Data Deposit Box ( DataDepositBox.com ) Cost: Monthly, $2 per gig Desciption: Application automatically detects and backs up popular DEMO’s guide Windows folders, and continues to do so whenever the files are changed, to offsite maintaining versioned back-ups of your work. Access is via a Web data storage interface, with the option of password protection. Pros & cons: The initial cost is good, as a user can back up a fair amount of data automatically without a substantial investment. But it can grow to be expensive if a user continues to back up multiple versions of Cindy Iverson (M.F.A. ’04) has large files. And there is no access for Mac or Linux users. an important message for her fellow alumni: “Keep your hard- iBackup ( iBackup.com ) drives back-ups off site!” When Cost: Monthly, $9.95/10 gigs to $299.95/300 gigs we contacted Iverson, a graduate Desciption: Application-based interface for Mac, PC, and Linux, and a of Columbia’s Book and Paper convenient drag-and-drop product called iBackup Drive. Arts program, about featuring Pros & cons: Costly on a per-gig basis, but offers an easy-to-use application her work in this issue, she was and the convenience of drag-and-drop backups to a networked drive. happy to participate (see page 30). But a few weeks later, her Mozy ( Mozy.com ) email came: “We experienced a Cost: Two gigs free. Monthly, $4.95/unlimited for individuals. MozyPro, break-in,” she wrote. Her Tempe, for small businesses, is $3.95 plus $.50 per gig for desktop licenses, and Arizona business, the Paper Studio, $6.95 plus $0.50 per gig for servers. “was robbed of its cash and two Description: Application-based interface for Mac and PC. Unlimited design computers, along with all offsite storage for only $4.95/month per machine with 128-bit SSL the external back-up and peripheral encryption for downloads and 448-bit Blowfish encryption of data on devices—all our artwork, design Mozy’s servers. Can be configured to run as scheduled and makes software, fonts, classes, photos, incremental block-level backups following the initial backup, which should and graphics are gone. Basically, make subsequent backups fast because it will only backup those files the past three years of our lives that have changed. have vanished.” Pros & cons: By far the most economic choice for off-site backup, but initial backup is very slow. This year, 43 percent of people who own computers will lose CrashPlan ( CrashPlan.com ) documents, multimedia, emails, Cost: Monthly, $5/50 gigs, plus $.10 per additional gig. Yearly, financial records, and other $49.95/50 gigs, $169.42/200 gigs. Free trial available. important files. Most will be Description: Mac, PC, and Linux users may back up to CrashPlan’s because of hard-drive crashes, servers, but perhaps more interesting is a CrashPlan License ($20) or but some, like Iverson’s, will CrashPlan Pro License ($60) that allows users to back up to an offsite involve theft, fire, or other machine of their choice. This option offers a high level of user control, situations in which backing up with control of the computer’s bandwidth usage, remote web control of the to an external hard drive isn’t process, and no limit to storage space or file size (with the exception of enough. That’s when offsite data drives formatted as FAT32, which has a per-file size limit of four gigs). storage becomes so important. Pros & cons: If you are a user who needs maximum control, this may be the right product for you. Here, Matthew Lennertz, a systems specialist for Columbia’s AOL Xdrive ( Xdrive.com ) Center for Instructional Technology, Cost: Five gigs free. Monthly, $9.95/50 gigs; yearly, $99.95/50 gigs. who has worked as an Apple Description: The Xdrive desktop application is PC only and allows for Certified Mac Genius, compares scheduled incremental backups. Mac users get the Xdrive Lite desktop some of the most popular services: cross-platform application, which is built on Adobe’s AIR platform and offers the simplicity of quick drag-and-drop backups of user files. However, it does not offer scheduled or incremental back ups. Pros & cons: For Mac users, the free five gigs is a convenient storage system that can house regularly used documents on multiple platforms, but is not a complete off-site backup solution. 26 your back got your we’ve DEMO Photo: Sarah McKemie (B.F.A. ’07) Styling: Elizabeth Burke-Dain

Thinking across boundaries. Columbia’s three Interdisciplinary Arts graduate programs are built upon the idea that thinking across boundaries and drawing upon multiple disciplines breaks open ideas about creating and seeing. * In the following pages we present work by several accomplished alumni of one of those three programs, the M.F.A. in Book and Paper Arts. This program is particularly interesting in that it combines a quite forward-thinking, truly interdisciplinary approach with some very, very old techniques and traditions. * The artists featured here are working all over the country, practicing their artistic disciplines in many different ways. We invite you to take a look at what they’re doing. There’s more on our website: visit colum.edu/demo and click on “portfolio.”

This article is dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Sward, founding director of the Center for Book + Paper Arts. Ben Blount M.F.A. ’05

“I am interested in politics as it relates to the interactions of people living together in a society—specifically in our identities as racial and cultural groups,” says Cleveland-based artist Ben Blount. He came to Columbia—where, he says, “I found my voice (and my passion)”—from a career in the applied arts. “Through books, broadsides, and interactive installations, I attempt to re-present the implicit and often explicit notions of race and culture that are deeply rooted in American society.” He addresses these issues head-on, without sugar-coating them, often leaving the viewer uncomfortable—but thinking.

B is for Black: An Abecedarium of Black Culture, 2005. Sewn board binding, letterpress printed from polymer plates on handmade cotton/abaca paper. 28 DEMO Al Cabo Volver (The Return), 2008. Girdle bookbinding structure, inkjet on handmade paper.

Miriam Centeno M.F.A. ’03

The work shown here, Al Cabo Volver (The Return), is a Parcheesi-style board game that retraces a sixteenth- century poem about Queen Isabella: her roles in the battle for her throne, her marriage, the expulsion of Muslims from Spain, and the discovery and conquest of the New World. In addition to artmaking, however, Miriam Centeno’s love of books and their care has led her to a career in preservation. She currently repairs books in the Collections Care Division for the Library of Congress. “Since 2007,” she says, “I have taken steps to be a preservation advocate in my native Puerto Rico. I have established ties with La Casa del Libro, a small rare-book library/museum, and I helped present two workshops offered by the Library of Congress Preservation Directorate in Puerto Rico covering disaster preparedness.” Centeno is part of the internal disaster recovery team. In between it all, she’s establishing a bindery studio in Takoma Park, Maryland, with three colleagues who are also book artists. Red Pumps and Olive Sky, 2004. Mixed media collage, giclee print, edition of three.

Cindy Iverson M.F.A. ’04

The series to which this work belongs was inspired by entries in Cindy Iverson’s dream journals that started out, “All I can remember is…” Collectively titled “Dream Fragments,” the series explored “those little juicy morsels of fragmented parts of dreams,” she says. “I photographed all the subjects and layered their imagery onto collaged canvases. I was attracted to the idea of photographing dreams—creating an image by constructing a reality of the subconscious mind. I was intrigued by the concept of capturing a moment frozen in time that reveals the interior landscapes of dreamers.” Iverson is a member of the Eye Lounge gallery in Phoenix, and is the founder of The Paper Studio, a book and paper arts teaching space in Tempe, Arizona. This spring, The Paper Studio experienced a break-in, and Iverson’s digital image library, as well as business files, were stolen. She urged us to use her story to help other artists avoid experiencing similar losses: see “We’ve Got Your Back,” page 26.

Aimee Lee M.F.A. ’06

“I relate to what falls between the cracks and seek quiet sanctuaries to process the world and how humans participate in it,” says Aimee Lee, who has traveled extensively doing artist residencies since leaving Columbia, and will spend the coming year in Korea on a Fulbright grant “to research the history, techniques, and contemporary applications of traditional Korean handmade paper.” Her work often incorporates fibers and techniques native to the places she visits, and combines handmade paper, found objects, “unplugged” performances, and sustainable practices into her personal storytelling. When home in New York, she works in the studio of a papermaker and book artist she met during a Columbia internship. “Through creative (left) Private Performance: , 2008. Intaglio dreaming and hard work,” she Treehouse on knit and folded linen muses, “I’ve made a real life paper yarn. (below) Do It for myself as an artist.” Over, 2008. Typewritten sestina on kozo paper, sewn into spun and knit kozo paper, thread, cloth, and Mexican amatl. DEMO32

They Try to Tell Me, 2007. Linoleum block print with hand tinting. Snapdragon, 2007. Handmade paper, letterpress printed, collage. Photo: Ricardo Martinez.

Mardy Sears M.F.A. ’06 Shawn Sheehy M.F.A. ’02 [facing page] [above]

“My goal is to create an aged quality in the structure of my books, “I like to invest myself in as much of the book production as possible: rather than historical accuracy in their contents,” says Mardy Sears, making the paper, writing the text, illustrating the images, engineering the who complements her studio practice with a job as a conservation structures, binding the folios, and designing the integrated whole,” says technician in the Art Institute of Chicago’s department of prints and Shawn Sheehy, whose pop-up books are widely admired for their feats drawings and running Evanston Print and Paper Shop, which she of engineering as well as their aesthetic and narrative qualities. While co-founded with artists Eileen Madden and Vanessa Shaff. Recently, compelling as objects, Sheehy’s works also function as books in the truest her work has addressed “a combination of current events, including sense. “I make artists’ books because they are ideal for communicating contemporary moral views, with more personal and intimate imagery.” complex visual and narrative concepts,” he says. Among the latter are “the She draws upon historical techniques and binding structures, even dynamic principles that hold wild populations in balance. I explore these mimicking the aesthetics of age or water damage. “I particularly like principles in light of the human search for sustained co-existence with the combining modern concepts with nostalgic forms,” she says. wild world and the growing global interest in uninhibited growth.”

Parts Unknown, 2006. Handmade abaca paper, letterpress, edition of 24. Papermaking assistance from Cindy Iverson and Miriam Centeno using a Sylvia Alotta designed mould and deckle. Photos: Chris Tumbusch.

Jessica Spring M.F.A. ’02

“I am here, amazed at the open heart of this place. The ghosts in my house have revealed themselves, here, now, despite more than 100 years of chances before. Did they know I am a bookmaker obsessed with photographs of strangers?” So reads some of the text in Parts Unknown, an artist book Jessica Spring made using images from 1890s-era glass-plate negatives she found while clearing out the attic of her Tacoma, Washington house. She used 40 of the images in this book. “The text at the center focuses on the history at the time,” says Spring. “Ousting all the Chinese residents as part of ‘The Tacoma Solution,’ women working to get the vote in Washington, and the development of new photographic [methods] that were really the first snapshots.” Spring runs Springtide Press in Tacoma and teaches at the Elliott Press and the School of Visual Concepts in Seattle. 34 DEMO Jen Thomas M.F.A. ’05

“I’m most interested in creating narratives that reach beyond personal events in my life and achieve a universality that draws viewers in and conjures related memories of their own,” says Jen Thomas, who also publishes etchings of trailer parks under the imprint Veronica Press, teaches at Columbia and the International Academy of Design & Technology, and has written for publications such as Afterimage and Punk Planet. She entices viewers to interact with her work by creating not only installations and objects, but board games as well, addressing such subjects as “urban life, the wedding industry, the rural South, Harry Potter, and women’s reproductive issues.”

I Do (I Don’t), 2004. Sculptural artist’s book/board game. Photos: Gintas Zaranka New books by Columbia faculty and alumni Send publication notices to [email protected]

At the City’s Edge Elmore Leonard, Sakey is perhaps Marcus Sakey (’06) studied creative Cultural Pluralism Debate”—to By Markus Sakey more interested in his characters writing at Columbia. He is also the create structure for their selections. [St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2008. than the plot itself), the level of author of The Blade Itself (2007). Historically grounded readers 310 pages. $29.95 hardcover] detail in his writing keeps the story Chay Lawrence works in the Office of connected to chronology may Reviewed by Chay Lawrence from becoming another stale retread Institutional Advancement at Columbia. shudder at the mixing of dates, but through gumshoe territory. At the He is a graduate of London’s Central Saint the editors encourage the “head At the City’s Edge is Marcus Sakey’s City’s Edge initially paints Chicago’s Martins College of Art and Design. scratching” and the discussion second novel, and he’s already in social and economic troubles as a that the categorizing will surely the enviable position of receiving dystopian metaphor for an empire inspire. The categories themselves, favorable comparisons to Elmore on the wane; of a country unable, Visions and Divisions: particularly the separation of Leonard. Like Leonard’s, Sakey’s or unwilling, to help those most in American Immigration Literature, “Assimilation” and “The Melting characters are the inhabitants need. His reflections upon some 1870-1930 Pot,” merit their own deliberation. of the underbelly of the American of the more mundane aspects Edited by Tim Prchal and Prchal and Trigilio, who introduce dream; the perennial outsiders of life in Chicago help bring the Tony Trigilio each section with an informative overcoming the odds in the face city and the characters into sharp [Rutgers University Press, 2008. essay, base their labeling on the of adversity. The outsider of Sakey’s focus, and the pacing of the novel is 379 pages. $26.95 hardcover] “theories of adjustment” as described second novel, At the City’s Edge, absolutely perfect. The plot unfolds Reviewed by Con Buckley in 1920 by Isaac B. Berkson, who is native Chicagoan Jason Palmer, briskly without missing a beat, and saw a difference between those two who returns to the South Side Sakey ensures that every chapter The years between 1870 and 1930 versions of homogeneity, as a topic of Chicago after an “other than ends with a cliff-hanger. All this produced the most immigrants to the still worth discussing. honorable” discharge from the makes the novel near impossible United States, at least until toward army, following a gaffe that leads to put down, though Sakey later the end of the twentieth century. As for the selections themselves, to another soldier’s death in Iraq. forgoes the social commentary as So it is not surprising, as editors they are a wide-ranging mix of Upon his return, Jason is thrown the action builds to its inevitable Tim Prchal and Tony Trigilio state, poems and narratives—fiction into another bloody quagmire that bloody climax. that there was much writing by and and non. The single government mirrors his experiences overseas, about this unprecedented number document—1882’s Chinese as his brother Michael is murdered At the City’s Edge is at once a of newcomers. Visions and Divisions: Exclusion Act—is both welcome and his nephew becomes a gang good old-fashioned crime novel American Immigration Literature, and odd. Where are other target. This being a crime novel, and a rumination on the state of 1870-1930 is useful to the student restrictive laws of this time? Jason takes it upon himself the nation today. Sakey pulls off of the past as well as of current One can easily get the mistaken to protect his nephew while an expert balancing act between multicultural and immigration issues impression that, singled out here, investigating his brother’s murder, moments of high tension and quiet by virtue of the selections presented the Chinese were the only ones all while suffering the prerequisite reflection, and for this he should be and the structure with which they officially targeted. If the 1921 war flashbacks and crippling bouts commended. Most of all, Sakey’s have been organized. or 1924 Immigration Laws are of guilt over his past failures. love and reverence for the crime somehow unsuitable, then their genre shines through. His greatest The editors have overlaid themes— synopsis should also invite the While the plot may be as dilapidated strength is to imbue with a whiff “The Restriction/Open Door Debate,” synopsis of the 1882 law. as some of the neighborhoods in his of nostalgia stories ripped straight “The Assimilation Debate,” “The Attitudes in the writings range from mythical South Side (and again, like from this morning’s news. Melting Pot Debate,” and “The the very positive “Give me your 36 DEMO tired, your poor ...” to the “Accents “What happens in Vegas, stays Contextual relevance for each Judy Natal is a professor of photography of menace alien to our air ...” on in Vegas.” We’ve all heard it, and image is further augmented by at Columbia College Chicago. She is the very next page. Some authors perhaps some of us have had corresponding plate notes in the the author of EarthWords and her are familiar names—Mark Twain, good reason to say it. Fortunately, back of the book. In one case, works are in collections worldwide. James Kahlil Gibran, Theodore Roosevelt, such is not the case in Judy Natal’s my appreciation expanded for an Kinser (M.A. ’05) is Columbia’s online Mary Antin, Claude McKay, Charlotte Neon Boneyard: Las Vegas A-Z. image of a giant high-heeled shoe communication specialist and a graduate Perkins Gilman, Carl Sandburg— In this photographic exploration when I discovered, after reading of the Interdisciplinary Arts program. though perhaps not for this topic of Vegas’s rusty, dented, and the plate note, that the designers Although he’s had very little desire to visit or these particular writings. Many discarded neon signage, Natal found the perfect model shoe on Las Vegas in the past (other than to see others wrote pieces culled here has captured and extracted an their secretary’s foot. After coaxing Cher and, okay, maybe Tom Jones live on from dusty old magazines or, essence of Sin City in a previous her to give up her shoe, they filled stage), the prospect of a visit to the Neon those more fortunate, gathered lifetime, an expired era. it with plaster and cut it apart to Boneyard in person could change that. into published collections. Along design the form for the 15-foot- with immigration, Visions and Neon Boneyard is not only a high version. Such surprises and Divisions takes up contemporary photographic trek through the anecdotes are woven throughout Writer Mama works examining the American grounds of the Las Vegas Neon the plate notes and bring a sense By Christina Katz Indian and African American Museum, it is an anthropological of time and place to the two- [Writers Digest Books, 2007. experiences. The selections engage exploration of typography, culture, dimensional images. 296 pages. $14.99 paperback] the issues of those times—and communication, and Natal’s Reviewed by Christine ours—reflecting the challenges and interest in the relationship between From cover to cover the book is Simokaitis uncertainty that have accompanied language and landscape. Although carefully designed. Each plate efforts to define “American.” the book title may suggest a is given a blank facing page, Writer Mama is a lively, practical superficial documentation of the thereby instilling it with a sense guide to starting a freelance writing Tony Trigilio is the director of creative alphabet through sign letters, it is of reverence. Another gem of note career. It’s aimed at stay-at-home writing, poetry, and also serves as quite the contrary. Yes, there is a is the essay by Joanna Drucker, a moms, but with so much sound the associate chairperson of the loose alphabetic reference. However, renowned scholar on the history advice and useful information, English department at Columbia. the carefully chosen composition of typography, artists’ books, Christina Katz’s book could serve Con Buckley is an adjunct instructor of each image reinforces the and visual representation. Her as a manual for any writer looking of U.S. History—Pluralism, American conceptual substantiality of the comments further support the to be published and paid—sippy Working Class, American City, and collection as a whole. With hints notion of the “boneyard” as an cups or no. Chicago—at Columbia College and of background that imbue a further anthropological or archaeological Loyola University Chicago. note of solitude and discard, the site full of history and nostalgia. Katz introduces her book with a framing of the camera simultaneously pep talk—10 reasons why it is captures and sometimes abstracts Although the bulbs and neon tubes possible to grow a writing career Neon Boneyard the scale of its subject. Some of have not gleamed or flashed from the alongside your kids. Her list By Judy Natal the closely framed images transfer signs documented in this collection includes factoids about the growth [Center for American Places, into the abstract as readily as in a long, long time, Neon Boneyard of the “mama writer” market, as 2006. 88 pages. $30 hardcover] carefully chosen paint colors and sheds a substantially regenerative light well as some universal truths about Reviewed by James Kinser shapes on canvas. upon its rusted and dusty subjects. both writing and parenting, such as, “#6. Writing gets done in small applies the same nuts-and-bolts Stephanie Weaver has written a participants who represent increments (and that’s the only approach to her discussion of book for professionals who work the difference between life and time mamas have).” This beginning time management, organization, at cultural institutions in the death for many nonprofits. sets the tone for the book, and childcare that she uses to nonprofit area, for which she which is part motivational, part demystify the writing and publishing draws upon her remarkable The progressive blurring of informational, and always honest processes. For example, under background as a filmmaker, the lines between commercial and realistic about the writing a section titled “Scrounge for an designer, health educator, and activities and cultural events, industry and what to expect when Hour in the A.M.,” she advises, creator of exhibits for organizations especially in the United States, attempting to break into it. “Make a simple weekly plan, like The Chicago Children’s is a phenomenon Weaver chooses even if you work at different times Museum and the San Diego Zoo. to accept rather than deplore. As a reference book, Writer Mama each day. A beginning writer might It’s a workbook of sorts, which This lifts her reasoning beyond is much less intimidating and use such a plan to write one article focuses on the need of nonprofits the stale battles between “high- more easily digested than many per week while her kids watch to compete with commercial and minded” arts organizations and of the industry must-haves. The Sesame Street.” recreational enterprises for the “low-minded” retailers of products small, square volume is handy public’s leisure time. and services. While her heart is enough to fit in a diaper bag, and Throughout Writer Mama, Katz clearly with the dedicated people the bright green section headers articulates many of the doubts Weaver’s premise is that “third who strive to present us with will grab and hold the attention new writers have about getting places” (after workplaces and the best of culture (and in fact of even the most sleep-deprived started, getting published, homes) serve an important the book is dedicated to them), mom. The four main sections and getting paid, and then social function both as support Weaver’s challenge to these of the book—“Preparation,” systematically addresses them so for, and as relief from, the individuals is that they refocus “Practice,” “Professionalism,” that, in the end, the only downside demands of our primary and their energy on what happens and “Poise”—break down the of reading Katz’s book is that she secondary lives. But as she points when a visitor enters the door. writing process into small, effectively eliminates all excuses. out—with considerable insight Her research is considerable manageable steps, from idea- and occasional moments of wit— (neatly contained in end notes generating to drafting and pitching Christina Katz (’01) earned an M.F.A. in many museums, parks, zoos, so as not to impede the narrative) to income tracking. Many of creative writing from Columbia College. libraries, and other nonprofits and her prescriptions are clear. these smaller steps are further Read Katz’s blog at thewritermama. are not doing as much as they This is a book that ought to appeal illustrated with easy-to-reference wordpress.com. Christine Simokaitis is could to provide visitors with to anyone interested in capturing charts and checklists. a Chicago-based writer, writing teacher, a satisfying experience. Her and holding the attention of the massage therapist, and mother of two. examples (both positive and American public. Katz does a great job of not negative) are compelling, based simply defining, but also giving on her professional experience Stephanie Weaver (’83) earned a B.A. examples of different kinds of Creating Great Visitor and her worldwide travels. in film and video from Columbia College. paid writing, such as fillers, tips, Experiences Weaver has a set of clear-minded, She is a consultant to nonprofit and and list articles, and she provides By Stephanie Weaver practical suggestions for improving commercial organizations on branding, suggestions for both topics and [West Coast Press, 2007. the situation, not only for first- marketing, and customer experience. publications that accept unsolicited 208 pages. $29.95 paperback] time visitors, but also for Chap Freeman is a faculty member in the work from new writers. The author Reviewed by Chap Freeman the critical group of regular Film and Video department. 38 DEMO 1972

Nixon went to China; the Watergate scandal broke; “M*A*S*H*” premiered on CBS; Gloria Steinem launched Ms. magazine; The Godfather and Deliverance played in theaters; Atari introduced the first video game, Pong; and Columbia touted itself as “A Today College.”

By Heidi Marshall

To get its groovy message out, the college created this publicity poster, designed by William (Bill) Biderbost and illustrated by Skip Williamson. * “The illustrations were meant to convey a feeling of freedom and free experimentation in the arts,” said Biderbost, poster designer and adjunct faculty member teaching Fantasy Drawing and Poster Design during the 1971/72 academic year. He was familiar with the work of Skip Williamson, and asked him to do the poster illustrations. Williamson, who cofounded Bijou Funnies in the late 1960s with Robert Crumb and Jay Lynch, also illustrated Abby Hoffman’s Steal this Book and went on to become art director at Playboy. Biderbost is now a successful Chicago photographer and artist.

Heidi Marshall is the college archivist for Columbia College Chicago. If you have any photos, Columbia newspapers, college catalogues, or other materials you think might be of interest for the archives (especially pre-1990), let her know! Email [email protected] or call 312.369.8689.

Visit the Columbia archives online at www.lib.colum.edu/archives there out

DEMO40 Dear Alumni, make colum.edu/alumni connectionsthatwork: of theYear: LenAmato(B.A.’75), T separate ceremonies. Accompanying them on stage were our three Alumni graduating class ever march across the stage at the UIC Pavilion in three This isanexcitingtimetobewritingyou. Columbia has just seen its largest and blog sites, you can now import your information directly from these sites directlyfromthesesites and blogsites,yourinformation youcannowimport you have a profile on MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or other networking accessible atcolum.edu/alumni), aswellIf asourotherprofessionalnetworks. Improvements have also been made to the alumni online community (“theLoop,” continuestogrow.assets astheColumbiaAlumniAssociation&Network Their backgroundsinalumniprogrammingandcommunicationswillbegreat development, andMichellePassarelli (B.A.’99)asdirectorofalumnioperations. joined us:CynthiaV value to your relationship with Columbia. Two amazing new staff members have we’re better prepared than ever to provide services to our alumni and add Another reasonwe’re soexcitedhereintheOfficeofAlumniRelationsisthat 2008 AlumniReunionWeekend onOctober3and4(save thedates). and click “Seen” for pictures). Another alumni committee is refining volunteersplans for fromthe the Chicago CAAN chapter (see page 46 or visit colum.edu/alumnimore special since it was entirely planned and conceived by a committeefor our“A NightofMoulinRouge” reception.of alumni It was an amazing party made even display. The weather was beautiful this year, and hundredsa smashing of alumni success, joined uswith brilliant gallery shows that put the class ofManifest, 2008 our on annual end-of-year celebration and senior showcase (May 16), was class of2008intotheColumbiaAlumniAssociation&Network. Chicago CAANchapter, introducedtheclassvaledictoriansandwelcomed the beginning onpage14.JoanHammel (B.A. ’86), president of the North Suburban (M.F.A.(M.A. ’99).BillMeiners suchhonors ’96)tellsuswhy they deserve [email protected] National DirectorofAlumniRelations Josh Culley-F best, All thevery I hopeyouwilljoinwithusandhelpCAANgrow. to be a part of Columbia College, especially as an alumnus. With the end of each year, I am reminded of how special it is automatically keep upwithyourbusy(online)life. set up your profile in the alumni community once and it will to your profile page on theLoop. That way, you only need to (B.A. ’01) as director of alumni programs and chapter argas (B.A.’01)asdirectorofalumniprogramsandchapter oster onya Pinkins(B.A.’96), andEduardoV

(B.A. ’03) ilaro

news alumni SUMMER [email protected] (B.A. ’03) Despina “Desi”Damianides Atlanta local CAANchapterleader. in yourarea, orcontactyour moreaboutCAANevents to learn community atcolum.edu/alumni theLoopalumnionline Visit CAAN Chapters [email protected] Steven Gray (BA‘89) [email protected] & Jonathan Ford (BA ‘03) San Francisco [email protected] Don Fox (B.A.’85) Phoenix [email protected] Richard Matson(B.A.’98) New Y [email protected] P.A. Cadichon(B.A.’01) Angeles [email protected] Patrick Duffy (B.A. ’02) Detroit [email protected] Pat Blum(B.A.’84) Denver [email protected] (B.A.’99) Chris Richert Chicago Southwest Suburban [email protected] Joan Hammel(B.A.’86) SuburbanChicago North [email protected] Bill CelliniJr. (B.A.’94) Chicago

08 \ ork

faculty

notes

“Our alumni have worked hard to build strong, viable chapters across the country to assist one another in their professional lives.” Dr. Eric Winston conference report: CAAN chapter leaders meet to discuss alumni support and networking opportunities

by Nadine Arroyo Rodríguez (B.A. ’93)

CAAN leaders agree: networking Many CAAN members are “Over the past two years, our is key to “making it” in nearly any professionals in areas such Office of Alumni Relations has profession. So providing networking as marketing, public relations, built a coalition of alumni leaders opportunities and support to our journalism, graphic design, theater, to support past, present, and fellow Columbia alums was a and media management, and they future students, and the college central theme at the second annual agree breaking into their fields as a whole,” said Dr. Eric Winston, Columbia College Chicago Alumni wasn’t easy. Leading the CAAN vice president of Institutional Association and Network (CAAN) to-do list is providing graduates Advancement. “And our alumni assembly. More than a dozen CAAN with a source for networking have worked hard to build strong, chapter leaders—from Phoenix, and career support. In a big viable chapters across the country Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, step toward that end, Columbia to assist one another in their Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, College has approved an alumni professional lives.” North Suburban Chicago, Las Vegas, job-search engine that will launch Nashville, Denver, and Portland— in 2009, accessible via theLoop CAAN chapter leaders are attended the conference, held alumni online community. A call volunteers and welcome all March 7 through 9 in Dallas, Texas. for participation in LinkedIn, the former Columbia students who online professional network, has consider themselves alumni of CAAN, a network of more than a expanded ways for not only alums the college, whether or not they dozen local alumni chapters across but future Columbia College earned a degree. So check out the country, was established in students to connect. To request a networking event in your area, 2006 to help organize and unite membership in the LinkedIn CAAN register with the alumni online Columbia’s 70,000-plus alumni. group, visit colum.edu/alumni community, and stay in the The goals of each chapter reflect and click on “alumni services,” Loop with CAAN. We invite you the interests and desires of the then “career services.” be part of a united goal to… individuals who become involved, Create Change! working to support scholarships, Several initiatives intended to provide mentorship, welcome new support the growth of the school alumni, and organize networking while providing assistance to future events in their areas. students were discussed, including Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez an Alumni Scholarship Luncheon to (B.A. ’93) earned her degree from During the three-day event in be held simultaneously in several Columbia in broadcast journalism. Dallas, we touched on several cities across the country in 2009, Her career began in Chicago, points that strongly impact our and an Oscar Night Party hosted working for Univision affiliate alma mater today. Most prominent by CAAN chapters in multiple cities WCIU-TV Channel 26. She has on the agenda were topics such on February 22, 2009. produced public affairs programs as career assistance, enhanced for WYCC-TV, been a general professional-development services, assignment reporter for CLTV providing lifelong commitment to News, and hosted on-air pledge and interaction with Columbia’s drives at WTTW Channel 11 in graduates, and ultimately giving Chicago. She’s currently an Emmy- back to the college. nominated reporter/producer for KAET-TV (PBS) and a reporter for KJZZ FM (local NPR station) in Phoenix, Arizona. DEMO42 classnews The Cagney Company, which provides pleased to announce the formation of Penelope Cagney Bobby Broom 1980 Dean Richards Joseph Powers 1970 New Mexico. 2007. HenowresidesinAlbuquerque, College of andArt Design (SCAD) in M.A. in Photography at The Savannah and domestic violence organizations. and domesticviolenceorganizations. charitable events forhunger, homeless, Association, and has hosted various Telethon” fortheMuscularDystrophy Lewis MDA the localhostof“Jerry Cochran Show.” Richards serves as reports entertainment on “The Steve andalso other top-ratedpersonalities the primary fill-in host for the station’s Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. He is entertainment and lifestyle scene Sunday coversChicago’s Morning” 720 WGN Radio, “Dean Richards’ television, and print. On News/Talk many inradio, hats”forhiswork as the“Tribune Company’s manof in aNew York Times front-pagearticle at DePaul University. Haig, Dr. John, Heteaches andothers. legends, includingSonny Rollins, Al played and recorded with many jazz Piano Jazz. Aguitarist, Broomhas featured on Marian McPartland’s in Chicago. Broom was also recently his newest CD, The Way IPlay: Live what areyou doingoutthere?send usyournews: www.colum.edu/alumni s s (B.A. ’87) released (’76)was described (B.A. ’72) received an To submityournews, logintothealumnionlinecommunity atwww.colum.edu/alumni. (M.A. ’88) is What areyoudoingoutthere?We want toknow! The listings here are edited for length; the website features expanded news, notes, and pictures. pictures. and news,notes, expanded features website the length; for edited are here listings The the first 16 pages of Hi’s Cool. amazon.com/dp/B001200CGY to read aPh.DinPoetry.pursuing www. Visit 5000 entries. Carriere is currently Novel Award, which drew more than semifinalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Adam’s novel, Hi’s, Cool was named of The Tonopah Review. Inaddition, poems published in the premiere issue work forTime, work the Chicago Sun-Times. He also does as an award-winning photographer at member ofCanon’s ofLight. Explorers company, and was recently named a national the first wedding-photography chief photographerforBellaPictures, Tribune Sunday Magazine. Davis isthe Bar Association Journal, andChicago K Don Howze Bob Davis Adam Carriere visit www.thecagneycompany.com. organizations. For more information executive search for arts and cultural offers interim management and organizations. In addition, the company consulting services to nonprofit been promotedtopresidentofArends, intheLosAngelesarea. photojournalist Howze is currently a reporter, writer, and Emmy nomination forBestEditing. an Angeles andChicagoearned Star for Marvin Gay, which aired in Los A as producerforthedocumentary Heserved series onmusicalartists. Classic Soul Music Hits, a documentary which isknownfortheacclaimed president ofDVIDEO 79Productions, Award-winning film and video editor and enneth Jackson (’88) has spent 14 years (B.A.’84)isanEmmy & People, (B.A. ’86) had four notes (B.A. ’85) has (B.A.’85)has The American Center inColorado. Creek Theatre Festival at the Vilar artistic programmer for the Beaver GreatWorks Theatre, and he was the also thefounderandproducerof organization for seven years. He is Theatre of Chicago and headed the O’Brien founded the Irish Repertory Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Illinois. producer fortheMetropolisPerforming a positionasexecutivedirectorand communications videos. own businessmakingcorporate- his at ColumbiaCollegeandruns teaches documentary filmmaking a chronicle of gay Chicago life. Pajak featurefilm,his first AttheFestival, Buffalo inSeattle. as Donny inDavid Mamet’s American Caryn Capotosto Caryn 1990 James V Ron Pajak Matthew O’Brien hoping fora2008premier. Thefilmis is Right to several festivals, and is Come OnDown! submitted a documentary film titled Kaiser Aluminum, among others. Philips Electronics, Siemens, and director. ClientsforArendsinclude formally the vice president and creative with the company for 15 years and was business relations. Jackson has been The company’s focusisonbusiness-to- promotions, andmarketresearch. development, publicrelations, sales a marketing firm that provides brand enturini (B.A. ’88) recently made s The Road to the Price The RoadtothePrice (B.A. ’89) starred (B.A.’89)starred (B.A. ’99) (B.A.’99) (’88) accepted (’88)accepted COLUMBIA COLLEGECHICAGOsummer2008 Cinematographer. 2003issueofAmericanin theJanuary film Suspension, andhewas featured Festival awardSundance Film forthe Video in post-production. He won a works for Lorne Michaels’s Broadway and Danny Pino.Andrew currently Mikeand stars Vogel, Brittany Murphy, L.A. Themovie istitledAcrosstheHall full-length film at Universal Studios in as director of photographer on his first actress MollySimms. caughttheeyeearrings ofmodel/ Lana’s pair of upside-down hoop bracelet in textured tri-gold, and purchased aLana-designedbangle celebrity following. Sandra Bullock a Chicago-based designer with a big Andrew Carranza Lewis Alfreda Henderson- Lana F Linda Casey blues, andjazz.To more about learn gospel, hip-hop, adult contemporary, urbanmusic, that coverscontemporary an entertainment-industry publication magazine UrbanNetworkGroup, Inc., serves as account executive for the Volume Printing. Printer, andassistanteditorof H editor ofInstant Small Commercial editor-in-chief forSCIPMagazine, in print and media, also served as has more than 12 years experience as contributing editor. Casey, who trade publicationPackaging Digest revered gameshow. that unite lovers of America’s most dream, idiosyncrasies andthebizarre about game show culture, the American

ertelmeister (B.A. ’95) joined the (’97) started work (B.A. ’97) is (B.A. ’94) igh

CLASSNEWS& NOTES(cONT.) COLUMBIACOLLEGECHICAGOsummer2008

Urban Network Group, Inc., visit Tim Sauers (M.A. ’91) has been hired opening-night film for the Margaret www.urbannetwork.com. as director of education and community 2000s Mead Festival in New York. For more engagement for Overture Center for information about the film, visit www. Blanca Aviles (B.A. ’06), Olivia Michael Jamieson (B.A. ’96) joined the Arts, a 2,251-seat performing- sleepwalkingthroughthemekong.com. Bustos Rodriguez, (B.A. ’07), Emily Manitowoc’s crane division as a arts center and gallery in Madison, Haines (B.A. ’06), and Angelica regional business manager in North Wisconsin. Prior to his new position, Kira Coplin (B.A. ’04) recently joined Palomo (B.A. ’06), recently described America. Manitowoc is a large provider Sauers was the director of grants for the staff of Us Weekly magazine, as “budding talents” by TimeOut of lifting equipment for the construction the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and continues to serve as editor of Chicago, choreographed a dance industry. in West Palm Beach, Florida. Chicago Scene Magazine. and performed it at Chicago’s Links Hall. The group described their work Derek Johnson (B.A. ’98) composed Tamara Sellman (B.A. ’90) published Evan Dollard (B.A. ’06) won NBC’s as examining relationships between Frozen Light, which was featured during her short story, Search Engine, in the “American Gladiators” last February. “family, gender in our society, and the The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s magazine Long Story Short. Her story Dollard, who graduated with a degree influences of being Latina in the U.S.” MusicNOW series at the Harris Theater. was recognized by the magazine as the in Marketing Communication, returned Best Story of October. as one of three new gladiators for Elizabeth Barnette (B.A. ’03) serves Brian LeTraunik (B.A. ’98) became a the reality competition, which aired as assistant film editor for the Sci-Fi certified teacher of stage combat with (B.A. ’98) on May 12. His pseudonym on the Caitlin Strokosch Channel’s television series “Battlestar the Society of American Fight Directors accepted a position as executive show is “Rocket.” Galactica.” (SAFD) and has been teaching and director of the Alliance of Artists choreographing stage combat around Communities’ Board of Trustees. She (B.A. ’04) was named Theresa Bertocci (B.A. ’03) Nazli Ekim the country for almost 12 years. has 10 years of arts-management one of the top technology displayed her series of photographs LeTraunik is pursuing an M.F.A. in experience in marketing, development, communicators of the year by titled “Believers” at the Brandel acting at Western Illinois University communications, and program Library on the campus of North Park SS | PR, a high-tech public relations in Macomb, Illinois. management. Most notably, she University. The exhibition explored agency. Nazli joined the staff of served as General Manager of Bella observable manifestations of the SS | PR as the youngest member John Levandoski (B.A. ’92) recently Voce, one of the country’s premiere beliefs of some devotees in several of the high-tech communications expanded his surfboard brand, Wallin professional chamber choirs, and as Western and Eastern countries firm, where she handles numerous Surfboards, in South America, and executive director of CUBE, a new including the United States, Mexico, accounts. Founded in 1978, the he plans to open an office in Europe music ensemble based in Chicago. Cambodia, China, and India. company has built a reputation in 2008. The company recently Caitlin continues her creative work as a for excelling at the toughest part acquired a global license from Playboy songwriter, poet, and writer. John Bosher (B.A. ’06) co-owns of public relations: getting ink for Enterprises to produce a signature line Beverly Ridge Pictures, a privately its clients.Visit www.sspr.com for of Playboy-branded products. Look for Robert Teitel (B.A. ’90) and George owned Illinois film production more information. Wallin products in surf shops, specialty Tillman Jr. (B.A. ’91) signed on to company. In the 15 months since its retailers, department stores, and online co-produce a picture about Bobby incorporation, Beverly Ridge Pictures Russell Fike (B.A. ’07) recently at www.wallinsurfboards.com. Martinez, the first Mexican/American has produced eight diverse short films, published a book titled Reflections to make the World Pro-Surfing Tour. including the premiere project The of a Man Not Yet Old. It is a collection Susan Malczewski (B.A. ’95) They have previously worked together Small Assassin. The company recently of observational, comedic short stories graduated from the Lincoln College on a number of feature films, including expanded its staff and moved to an from a singular narrative perspective. of Technology in Melrose Park, Illinois, Barbershop, Soul Food, and Roll Bounce. office in downtown Chicago. Fike’s book is available online at where she earned her certification as amazon.com. an electronics technician. She also Jon Wellner (B.A. ’97) recently David Buchanan (B.A. ’04) and continues to work on musical projects appeared at Duquesne University in Chang Liu (B.A. ’06) published a Anna Fong (B.A. ’01) won the AOL in her home recording studio. Pittsburg to speak about his job as a quarterly comic book anthology titled Fashionista Award for Design in August fact-checker and researcher for the TV Cereal Comics: A Quarterly Breakfast. of 2007. Fong’s ultimate goal is to stay Jane Richlovsky (B.A. ’91) had her show “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The magazine exists for the sole based in Chicago (where she currently work included in an exhibit titled “The A graduate of Columbia’s television purpose of building awareness and works out of her Humboldt Park studio), Seed” at Port Angeles Fine Arts Center program, Wellner’s job is to field opportunity for talented individuals who have her own stores, and do what she in Port Angeles, Washington. The group questions to real-life forensic scientists might not otherwise have the possibility does best: make women look beautiful. exhibit paired a childhood work with and experts whenever the show’s to showcase their work and expression. Visit www.anna-fong.com or a current work by each artist to find writers are unsure about a forensic- It can be purchased online at www. www.chicagofashionresource.com to connections and clues to the roots science fact. Wellner also plays Henry cerealcomics.com. view some of Anna’s clothing designs. of their budding artistic sensibilities. Andrews, a neurotic toxicologist, on the For more information about the exhibit, show. To prepare himself for the job, Bryan Carr (B.A.’03) edited a film Zachary Hansen (B.A. ’07) is the visit www.pafac.org/exhibitions/current- Wellner watched a seven-hour autopsy titled Sleepwalking through the founder of Hyphen, a creative company exhibitions.html. of a 40-year-old murder victim. Mekong, which was selected as the that specializes in identity, print design,

make connections that work: www.colum.edu/alumni CLASSNEWS& NOTES(cONT.) COLUMBIACOLLEGECHICAGOsummer2008

website development, brand creation, Kids. Reed, whose pseudonym is Mikey in Chicago, where he is becoming youtube.com/watch?v=9AoZJqkhdI4. and commercial photography. Rocks, spoke about the group’s origins, known as one of the Windy City’s most To learn more about Hyphen, visit its style of music, and the impact promising musical talents. You can Joanie Schultz (B.A. ’00) completed www.hyphen-inc.com. of leaving school to pursue music. hear his music at www.myspace.com/ her M.F.A. in Theater Directing at matthewsantos. Northwestern University in 2007 and Carl Howell (B.A. ’03) accepted a Grant Sabin (B.F.A. ’05) designed the was awarded a Drama League promotion at Thompson Electronics sets for three shows, including Butt Jeffrey Moll (B.A. ’00) continues to Directing Fellowship that fall, where Company in Peoria, Illinois, and is now Nekkid at The Side Project, A Prayer stay busy working with producer Elvis she directed her New York debut off- lead audiovisual design engineer. for My Daughter at Mary-Arrchie, and Baskette. He recently completed work Broadway. She continues to freelance Blindfaith Theatre’s Lord Butterscotch on releases from A Change Of Pace direct in Chicago and beyond. Thomas Knoch (B.A. ’01) hosted and the Curse of the Darkwater and Tyler Read for Immortal Records; I Filmmaker’s Lounge, a complimentary Phantom. Since Sabin began working Am Ghost for Epitaph Records; Escape Kirkland Tibbels (B.A. ’05) has meeting center open to filmmakers with professionally two years ago, he has The Fate’s debut EP and full-length been actively involved in a number industry credentials, as well as daily been one of the most in-demand scenic record for Epitaph Records; and the of independent films as an investor, panel discussions on independent film, designers in Chicago. This spring, he is debut EP and full-length release from consultant, and producer since 1999. at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. an assistant designer on Lookingglass Army Of Me for Atlantic Records. Moll In 2002 Tibbels founded Funny Boy Theatre’s Around the World in 80 Days. also recorded Chevelle’s latest release, Films, the first gay production and Justin Kulovsek (B.A. ’04) edited His work can also be seen at the Royal “Vena Sera,” for Sony/Epic Records. distribution studio of its kind, to create a documentary film titledElectrified: George, where he designed the set The album entered the Billboard 200 life-affirming motion pictures and The Story of the Maxwell Street for Forbidden Broadway. at number 12 and features the hit television projects for the lesbian, gay, Urban Blues, which premiered during singles Well Enough Alone and I Get It. bisexual, and transgender/transsexual the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Jacob Saenz (B.A. ’05) published Moll also co-produced, engineered, and community. Currently, Funny Boy Films Narrated by actor Joe Mantegna, his new poem, Sweeping the States, mixed three other songs with Chevelle, is releasing its third motion picture, the film chronicles how the urban in Poetry Magazine. He was also which were included as bonus tracks Naked Boys Singing! neighborhood of Maxwell Street the featured poet on its website, on select versions of “Vena Sera.” created a unique environment of www.poetrymagazine.org. Melisa Young (B.A. ’04) was recently commerce and cooperation that led Sarah Schroeder (B.A.’00) played featured in W magazine. Young is to the hard-driving sound of the urban Matthew Santos (’07) toured with recurring roles in Miriam & Shoshana’s a rap artist who goes by Kid Sister. blues, then ultimately to rock ’n’ roll. Lupe Fiasco in the fall, and made a hardcore rap videos Hardcore Jewish The article profiles the 27-year-old solo debut album titled “Matters of Chicks and Hannukah Dance. You can Chicago-native and highlights some Antoine Reed (’06) was interviewed the Bittersweet,” which was released watch them, favorite them, and leave of her accomplishments, including recently by The Detroit Free Press about under the indie label Candy Rat comments on YouTube at www.youtube. a collaboration with rap superstar the rap group he co-founded, Cool Records. Matthew is currently based com/watch?v=8RJ-2FUz7xo and www. and fellow Chicagoan Kanye West.

Make the contribution of a lifetime.

The Alexandroff Legacy Society honors and acknowledges the vision of individuals remembering Columbia College Chicago in their estate plans. The giving society is named in honor of former Columbia President Mirron “Mike” Alexandroff, a life-long advocate for social justice who believed that everyone

is entitled to a chance to succeed through education. Mirron “Mike” Alexandroff served as president of Columbia College Chicago from 1962 to 1992. For more information on how to include

44 Columbia College Chicago in your estate plan, please contact Kim Clement at 312.344.7084. DEMO

faculty&staffnotes COLUMBIACOLLEGECHICAGOsummer2008

Several full- and part-time members Interpretation) presented a project the consultant-evaluators of the Council Christine Rojek (Art + Design) of the Film and Video faculty are they authored titled “Draft to Mastery of Writing Program Administrators. recently installed three outdoor among this year’s Illinois Arts Council Process in ASL-English Interpretation” sculptures on the grounds of the Mote award winners. Artist fellowships were at CASTL (Council for the Advancement Ann Hetzel Gunkel (Cultural Studies) Marine Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. awarded to Wenwha Ts’ao, Melika of Teaching and Learning) in Omaha, has been invited to serve as guest Rojek is also exhibiting Rubber Tipped Bass, and Peter Thompson; and Nebraska in June. editor of a special volume of the Crane, a wind-activated sculpture, at finalist awards went to Ron Falzone Journal of American Ethnic History Purdue University through November, and Miguel Silveira. Robert Gordon (Art + Design) focusing on ethnic music. The issue is and was featured in a group exhibition published a book titled Perspective scheduled for publication in 2008/09. titled “Re.visions, Zolla/Lieberman Jeff Abell (Interdisciplinary Arts) Drawing: A Designer’s Method Gallery through 32 Years,” in March. presented two new works, Clarity and (Fairchild Books, 2008). The book Garnett Kilberg-Cohen (English) Confusion, at Experimental Sound is a technical guide, addressing delivered a paper at the International Lisa Schlesinger (Fiction Writing) Studio in Chicago this spring. spontaneous freehand sketching and Short Story Conference in County Cork, opened a new play at Fordham color studies in watercolor, marker, Ireland in June. Her paper addressed College at Lincoln Center in New Stephen Asma (Liberal Education) and colored pencil. the role of the linked story in the short York in February. Twenty One Positions: published an article in the literary story genre. Kilberg-Cohen is a recent A Cartographic Dream of the Middle zine Rokovoko about traveling up Arielle Greenberg (Poetry) co-edited nominee for the prestigious Pushcart East, cowritten with Abdelfattah the Mekong River to a cave in Laos an anthology of essays and poetry, Prize, which honors the best works Abusrour and Naomi Wallace (with that has for centuries served as Women Poets on Mentorship: published by small presses. music by Gina Leishman), explores the sacred resting place for broken Efforts and Affections (University the dilemma of the wall separating Buddha statues. Asma also wrote an of Iowa Press, 2008). The poets in Priscilla MacDougall (Liberal Israelis and Palestinians. article titled “Trapped in the Creation this collection describe a new kind Education) was honored, with Justice Museum” that appeared in the January of influence, one less hierarchical, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, at “A Salute to Chris Swider (Film + Video) premiered 20 Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine. less patriarchal, and less anxious Feminist Lawyers 1963-1975” in New his filmChildren in Exile at the Chicago than forms of mentorship in the past. York in June. The event, hosted by the International Documentary Festival Dave Berner (Radio) was awarded Veteran Feminists of America, honored in April. The documentary is about first place in the Faculty Radio News Sharon M. Hekman (Liberal Arts those who guided the legal actions the young victims of the former Division Competition of the Broadcast + Sciences) presented a paper titled of the feminist movement, forcing the Soviet Union during World War II, Education Association at the BEA “Lullism and the Structure of Donne's change of sexist laws. and the children and teenagers who National Convention in Las Vegas in Essay in Divinity” at the annual meeting were deported to Soviet Siberia and April. Berner’s winning entry was of the Renaissance Society of America Patricia Morehead (Music) Kazakhstan. The film was unanimously titled Huntley Homecoming. in Chicago in April. She spoke on a performed Shakkei, by Hilary Tann, for voted best documentary under panel titled “Applications of Hermetic oboe and chamber orchestra in the 60 minutes by the jury of the San Luis Bob Blinn (Advising) released his and Alchemical Studies: Seventeenth- Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, Obispo International Film Festival. new album, Demo, on iTunes in April. Century Responses to the Alchemic China in April. Patricia's composition The album contains nine songs by and the Hermetic—Milton’s Devils and “Just Before the Rain,” for erhu, pipa, Tony Trigilio (English) published Blinn, including the demo recording Donne’s Heavenly Scaffold,” sponsored and clarinet, was also performed a new book, Visions and Divisions: of “I Still Can’t Say Goodbye,” which by the journal Cauda Pavonis: Studies in in Beijing at the International Alliance American Immigration Literature, has been recorded by Chet Atkins, Hermeticism. of Women in Music Conference. 1870-1930 (see our review, page 36). Merle Haggard, and Tommy Emmanuel. He also published poems recently in Lenore Hervey (Dance Movement Pan Papacosta (Science + Cream City Review and Pebble Lake Ivan Brunetti’s (Art + Design) Therapy) presented on “Research in Mathematics) was the 2008 inaugural Review. In December, Trigilio presented Thirst: Aerial Gallery comprises 50 Dance/Movement Therapy” at the speaker of the Stetson University a paper at the Modern Language of his serialized artworks printed onto Italian Dance Therapy Association Center of Science, Nature and the Association conference titled “Allen banners that line Las Vegas Boulevard, (APID) conference in Milan in March. Sacred in Florida. His presentation was Ginsberg’s 1966 United States Senate from Las Vegas’s City Hall to the Arts The conference was attended by about titled “The Human Behind the Genius: Testimony: Language, Confession, District. The installation remains on 100 dance/movement therapists The Other Einstein.” and the Limit of Romanticism.” view until spring 2009. from all over Italy. Philippe Ravanas (AEMM) was invited Sam Weller (Fiction Writing) has Tony Del Valle (English) presented Deborah H. Holdstein (Liberal Arts to join the editorial staff of NonFiction.fr, been an occasional host of the Chicago two papers in January at the Hawaii + Sciences) was the respondent for a a reference website for the French- Public Radio show “Hello Beautiful” International Conference on Arts and panel titled “The Internationalization speaking academic world. Ravanas also on Sunday mornings, interviewing Humanities: “Subversive Acts: Crossing of Composition” at the Conference authored his third cover story for The guests such as Mara O’Brien, the Interior Borderlands,” and “Popular on College Composition and International Journal of Arts Management, co-director of 826CHICAGO, the local U.S. Latino and Latina Music.” Communication. Holdstein also titled “Hitting a High Note: The Chicago chapter of the national 826 literary presented a session titled “Meet the Symphony Orchestra Reverses a organization started by Dave Eggers. Carly Flagg-Campbell and Editor of College Composition and Decade of Decline with New Programs, O’Brien and Weller discussed the fine Angela Malcomson (ASL-English Communication,” and led a workshop for New Services and New Prices.” art of teaching writing to children. Columbia’s annual year-end urban arts festival and celebration of our graduating students took place May 16, with exhibitions, performances, student showcases, and more all across campus. This year, the celebration kicked off with Industry Night (an opportunity for industry professionals and graduating students to connect and review portfolios) and Fashion Columbia, and wrapped up with Spectacle Fortuna (a parade like no other!) and our high-energy “Moulin Rouge” party, attended by about 250 alumni.

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Manifest Photography by: [ 1 ] James Kinser (M.A. ’05) and Joe Leamanczyk (B.A. ’04) in Spectacle Fortuna. [ 2 ] Volunteer extraordinaire Jane Robyn Martin (B.A. ’05) Bishop-Lilegard (’85). [ 3 ] Edith Clark (’99). [ 4 ] Alumni hit the dance floor at the Moulin Rouge party. [ 5 ] Can-can dancers, choreographed by Heidi Malnar (B.A. ’06, center), entertain during the “Moulin Rouge” party. [ 6 ] Manifest “Moulin Rouge” committee chair Michael Underwood (M.A. ’91), Bob Rudner (B.A. ’75), and Roxana Neithercut (B.A. ’00). [ 7 ] Justin Kulovsek (B.A. ’04) and Omar Marrero at the Moulin Rouge party. [ 8 ] Trustee Howard Mendelsohn (B.A. 46 ’49) and Michelle Passarelli (B.A. ’99). DEMO see more photos @ colum.edu/alumni More spring events: and click “seen”

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Photography by: [ 9 ] Betty Shiflett (faculty, Fiction Writing) leads a Story Workshop™ class during Story Week Alumni Day, March 16. (RM) Robyn Martin (B.A. ’05) (RM) [ 10–11 ] 50 future alumni participated in the Student/Alumni Association’s Etiquette Dinner, May 2. Adam Werlinger, (LC) Lorenzo Ciniglio Ryan Niemuth, Nina Ivon (faculty, AEMM, and etiquette coach for the evening), Devin Roessler, Cherisse Ciangi, Josh Culley- (TH) Tim Hunt (B.A. ’08) Foster (B.A. ’03), Cynthia Vargas (B.A. ’01), and Charles Bonilla (B.A. ’94) were among those attending. [ 12 ] CAAN: (BK) Bob Kusel (B.A. ’78) Phoenix alumni watched the Cubs play the White Sox in spring training, March 22. From left: Josh Culley-Foster (B.A. ’03), Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez (B.A. ’93), Don Fox (B.A. ’85), Donna Jagielski (B.A. ’90), and Jeffrey Carroll (B.A. ’98). [ 13 ] Jim Woodward (M.A.M. ’03) and John Buhta (B.A. ’03) discuss Demo at the annual Spring Tour student/alumni reception in New York, March 26. (LC) [ 14 ] Chairman of the Board Allen Turner snaps a photo of the class of 2008 during commencement ceremonies, May 17. (BK) [ 15 ] Russell Jaffee (M.F.A. ’08) reads his poem Principles of Molecules during commencement ceremonies, May 17. (BK)

15 and DON't forget, Save the date! Alumni Reunion Weekend 2008–RetroForward October 3–4 FALL’0 8 E V E N T S

SPECIAL EVENTS

and the Beats go on ... colum.edu/beats A college-wide exploration and celebration of the works of the Beat Generation, anchored by an exhibition of Jack Kerouac’s original manuscript of On the Road.

Conversations in the Arts: The Founders Lectures colum.edu/conversations The 2008–09 program series focuses on themes central to Columbia’s core mission and values, reflected in the works of speakers:

Jonathan Kozol (October 20) Sir Ken Robinson (December 2) Anna Deavere Smith (January 27) Richard Florida (April 30)

Critical Encounters: Human | Nature colum.edu/criticalencounters The campus-wide Critical Encounters initiative brings together art, academia, and the community in focused explorations of topical themes. Human|Nature engages the

. On loan from the collection of James S. Irsay. © Estate original manuscript of On the Road . loan from collection James S. Irsay. Jack Kerouac, See “Special Events” and “Galleries.” G. Sampatacacus and the estate of Jan Kerouac. of Anthony college community in discussions around the ways geography, culture, economics, and other societal factors influence our relationship as humans with the natural world. 48 DEMO See more and get more information at: colum.edu/calendar

Events are free unless noted otherwise.

Banafsheh Sayyad with Namah. Photo: Andre Elbing. FALL’0 8 E V E N T S See “Dance.”

GALLERIES DANCE THEATER

On the Road: Talk the Walk: All dance performances are at Landscape of the Body Farm Security Administration A Curatorial Tour of Columbia’s The Dance Center, 1306 S. by John Guare Dorothea Lange, Robert Frank Exhibition Spaces Michigan Ave., at 8:00 p.m. October 15–26 September 5–November 1 October 16, 5:30–8 p.m. Tickets: $20–$28 at New Studio Theater, 72 E. 11th St. Museum of Contemporary Various locations 312.369.6600 or Tickets: $10 at 312.369.6126 or Photography 312.369.8695 or colum.edu/tickets. colum.edu/theater 600 S. Michigan Ave. colum.edu/talkthewalk It’s 1970s Greenwich Village and 312.663.5554 or mocp.org Curators discuss the current David Dorfman Dance there’s a murderer on the loose, Highlights from the museum’s exhibitions at the A + D Gallery, the September 25–28 a cross-dressing travel-agency collection of the Farm Security Museum of Contemporary Photo- David Dorfman’s company puts on owner, and a recently dead singing Adminstration’s social-documentary graphy, the Center for Book and Paper two of its latest works: Disavowal, storyteller. Nothing is as it seems in photography project commissioned by Arts, and other venues, with free inspired by the life of abolitionist this wacky film-noir-style comedy by the U.S. government during the Great rickshaw service between locations. John Brown, and underground, an one of America’s greatest playwrights. Depression, with an expanded focus exploration of political activism on the work of Dorothea Lange. Also, Weisman Exhibition focusing on the activities of the images from Robert Frank’s book The September 2–October 18 Weather Underground. literature Americans, for which Jack Kerouac Hokin Annex and Gallery wrote the introduction. In conjunction 623 S. Wabash Namah Creative Nonfiction Week with the college-wide series “and the 312.369.7188 or October 16–18 October 20–23 Beats go on...” colum.edu/cspaces Banafsheh Sayyad’s company Various times and locations The Weisman Exhibition features performs her contemporary Readings, lectures, and panel Jack Kerouac: On the Road + completed projects from winners translations of classical Persian discussions by nationally prominent Experimental Literature and the of the Albert P. Weisman Memorial dance. Performing with an Iranian writers, students, and faculty from Intersection with Artists’ Books Scholarship, a fund established in percussion and woodwind ensemble, the college’s creative nonfiction October 3–November 30 1974 to help Columbia students to Namah celebrates dance from Iran, programs. Presented jointly by Center for Book and Paper Arts, complete projects in all disciplines. where women’s dancing is banned Columbia’s Fiction Writing, English, 1104 S. Wabash, 2nd Floor in public. and Journalism departments. 312.369.6630 or For a complete schedule, visit colum.edu/bookandpaper Trisha Brown Dance Company colum.edu/cnfw The centerpiece of the college-wide October 23–25 series “and the Beats go on...” Internationally known for the ever- Conversations in the Arts: Jack Kerouac’s original manuscript evolving dance works of its longtime Up Close with Jonathan Kozol of On the Road—a 120-foot-long artistic director, Trisha Brown Dance October 20, 7:30 p.m. typewritten scroll—is on display in Company brings its repertory to Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. conjunction with a curated exhibition Columbia. Wabash, 8th Floor of contemporary artists’ books. For more information, see ad on inside front cover or visit colum.edu/conversations. Friday & Saturday, October 3–4, 2008 Alumni Reunion Weekend 2008 RETROFORWARD

Featuring: • Lunch with President Warrick L. Carter • Interactive workshops, including Story Workshop® class and a tour of Jack Kerouac’s original On the Road manuscript • Back by popular demand— Second City’s improv workshop • RetroForward reception featuring Fernando Jones and The Columbia College Blues Ensemble, Plus— DJ spins your favorites from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’80s New Wave r • Receive a RetroForward Memory e Book with the memories, photos, and emb old student IDs that YOU send in! m Send yours to: [email protected] Re Columbia www.colum.edu/AlumniReunion when 312.369.8640 or [email protected]

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