Spotlight on the Rockefeller University Employee Art Exhibition
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Issue 114 December/January 2014 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY Into Africa: Spotlight on the Rockefeller University Employee Art Exhibition Q i o n g Wa n g Living in New York, most of us often find feelings and stories ourselves trapped inside concrete jungles, behind these paint- busy and occupied all the time. Sunshine ings and I was com- and the view in the distance from our win- pelled to find out dows are often blocked bluntly by another more about them. building. On the subways, we look down, On the 13th floor napping or playing with cell phones, avoid- of Weiss, I met up ing eye contact. We talk fast, walk fast, eat with the artist, Dr. fast-food and couldn’t go through a day Bruce McEwen, a without our caffeine shot. Slowly, we start distinguished neu- to forget the world outside, a world that is roendocrinologist, organic and original. in his office. One day, I stopped by the Employee Art Acquired some- Exhibition on my way to get lunch in the what from his heri- Weiss lobby. A series of acrylic paintings tage, Dr. McEwen caught my attention. There was a vivid gi- has enjoyed draw- ant lion head about to leap out of the paper ing since his child- with his fur standing on end and both eyes hood. He started gazing ahead; a baboon mother watching painting about 15 years ago, starting with felt like Jurassic Park. In the safari park, her baby playing in the grass; an elephant water colors. In recent years, he fell in love the couple was covered in dust every day. enjoying his shadow in the river with his with acrylic painting. His paintings in the Tourists were tucked in the back of open ears wide open and a majestic giraffe stick- exhibition were inspired by his wife’s won- trucks covered only with metal fences. ing her head above and over tree leaves derful photography, which was also on ex- Wild animals could care less about hu- against the blue sky. I was very impressed hibit. Both Bruce and his wife, Dr. Karen man presence, especially when there are by the painting’s details, the strokes, the Bulloch, are talented artists who make a prey in sight. It seems quite certain that color, the light and shadow, and the back- variety of art pieces in their leisure. In ground. More so, I could feel there were the summer of 2014, they went on safari in southern Africa with a group of scholars. Being a travel lover, I immediately became fascinated with their safari experience. It was the couple’s first trip to Africa and a trip like nev- er before. They had never been in such close prox- imity to hippos, rhinos, lions, giraffes, and even at the mercy of a charg- ing elephant. The reality of seeing these animals, Dr. McEwen said, was surreal, completely differ- Images by Bruce McEwen, PhD, used with permission. ent from visiting a zoo. It 1 bloody profit. Bruce told me that the safari security personnel were equipped with guns Editorial Board not to protect visitors per se, but to defend EDITORIAL BOARD wild animals against any illegal hunting. What struck the couple most and Jim Keller brought them to deep reflection and Aileen Marshall awareness is the extreme gap between Nicolas Renier rich and poor and the importance of the Susan Russo middle class. They visited several village Qiong Wang schools made of adobe and wouldn’t soon Peng Kate Gao forget the expression of excitement on Jason Rothauser the faces of those school kids when given a soccer ball. “They were all very smart,” selections.rockefeller.edu Dr. McEwen said, “We don’t realize how [email protected] they assume the leading roles, and tourists much we have.” As a matter of fact, Kar- are just extras. Locals have to learn to co- en, a fantastic photographer, captured and had to end, but it lit up my dream of Afri- exist with these wild animals, protecting documented some precious moments of ca. Although seemingly a far-reach right themselves and sharing resources. It is a their school visit on film, which were also now, one day it can happen, and it will real eco-system, a world where hyenas tear on view as part of the exhibit in Weiss lob- happen. Once deeply enchanted by the a giraffe apart and share dinner among by. The couple has made and kept a con- classic film Out of Africa, I can’t wait to themselves. nection with local schools there and they step into Africa, to soul-search, to feel, to Unfortunately, these animals’ real ene- sincerely hope their continuous outreach perceive and to understand simple happi- mies are not themselves, but humans. To arrives soundly in the hands of those in ness in life.◉ date, there are still many greedy, selfish need in the future. slaughterers out there killing elephants for My conversation with Dr. McEwen The Pursuit of Vocation P e n g K a t e g a o Work is love made visible. entrepreneur Steve Jobs, remembered as up in the countryside and my parents were −Kahlil Gibran much for his passion as his success, once both farmers. I had never met a scientist said, “You have to be burning with an idea, before entering college. However, I have Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in his or a problem, or a wrong that you want to always had a curious mind and diligent brilliantly written book The Happiness Hy- right. If you’re not passionate enough from working attitude. In college, I became in- pothesis, summarized three ways that peo- the start, you’ll never stick it out.” This terested in biology. I worked hard in the lab, ple generally view their work: a job, a ca- type of sentiment has always created mixed and fell in love with what I was working on. reer, or a calling. A job is what people do to feelings in me. I am deeply moved and in- I told myself to keep pushing forward and earn money and to support their families. spired, but at the same time confused and see how far I could go in science. What got A career is what people do to achieve higher even frightened, as one question burned me here today is curiosity and dedication.” goals, such as advancement and prestige. A in my mind: what is my burning idea and This response resonated more with me, calling, on the other hand, is for those who would it be strong enough to motivate me and I suspect with many other people, than find their work so intrinsically engaging to the end? For a long time, I thought my the idea of a “burning passion.” To para- and fulfilling that they do it for the sheer passion was out there, like some great truth, phrase Robert Greene in his book Mastery: love of it. These people usually would con- waiting to be found. when we are very young, we are attracted tinue to work even without pay, if they sud- Over the years, however, I developed to certain activities, such as sports, music, denly became very wealthy. They would a more nuanced perception of passion. In words, visual patterns or mathematics, etc. have found their life’s vocation. conversation with a highly accomplished He refers to this as “primal inclinations,” How do we find ours? In many ways, scientist, I once asked, “When you were indications of what makes us unique. As we this is an age-old question. Two and a half very young, did you dream about becoming grow older, most of us lose touch with these millennia ago, Confucius advised, “Choose a scientist and is science the only thing you inclinations. We are distracted and influ- a job you love, and you will never have to have ever wanted to do?” I was expecting enced by outside opinions and judgments, work a day in your life.” Nowadays in in- an unhesitating yes, since most people be- and thus become lost and frustrated. To dustrialized western society, where in- lieve that the seed of an interest in science find one’s vocation and achieve mastery, it’s dividual autonomy and achievement are and becoming a scientist has to be planted important to reconnect to these primal in- farmers among the highest priorities, this before third grade, or it’s too late. Much to clinations, and equally, if not more, impor- question seems even more urgent. As Apple my surprise, however, he answered, “I grew tant is to deliberately learn skills through 2 hard work and discipline. “It is time to one falls into in the initial phase of a re- haps we should approach work in much the reverse this prejudice against conscious ef- lationship. It ignites and burns brightly, same way. Perhaps the key to finding our fort and to see the powers we gain through however it does not last forever. To support vocation is to identify what we love, and practice and discipline as eminently inspir- a strong and long-lasting relationship, pas- more importantly, spend our life working ing and even miraculous.” In other words, sionate love has to transform into compan- to cultivate and strengthen it through re- instead of finding passion, we might be bet- ionate love, which is the kind of love that spect, devotion and diligence. ter off cultivating passion. people build day-by-day over a lifetime Cultivate passion, pursue life’s vocation, This approach brings to mind the two with deep-rooted trust and mutual respect.