Whether looking ahead to the arts agenda for the fall or reliving how people engaged with the arts in the throes of the pandemic, the Alumni Education Gateway brings you the latest in arts and culture from the University.
NEW WAYS OF THINKING OF ART
U-M’s Arts Initiative continues to move forward in exploring new models for the University community to work collaboratively within the arts and across disciplines to share knowledge and resources. A new set of demonstration projects kicks off this fall, including a special production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
MONUMENTAL WORK
In April, Stamps School of Art & Design professor David Chung produced a short video for the World Monuments Fund at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Shot at the main temple, the video highlights the recent renovation of the wood ceilings at the site of an iconic Khmer bas-relief.
COLLAGE VIRTUAL CONCERT
For the past 43 years, the annual Collage Concert has been the biggest event on the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance calendar. This year, the Collage presentation was virtual — the virtuosic performances, however, remained the same in celebrating the talent of students across all disciplines.
ON UTOPIA AND DISSENT
The Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series welcomed Chitra Ganesh as a virtual guest in March. Her installations, comics, animation, sculpture, and mixed media work use historical and mythical texts as inspiration to build upon iconic female forms. Ganesh has studied literature, semiotics, and social theory to inform her work, which is featured around the U.S.
VIRTUAL ART THERAPY
U-M Health Lab tells the story of Theresa Gougeon, an immunocompromised patient, and Sandra Drabant, her art therapist at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center, when they faced the challenges of COVID-19 through a connection online.
THE INTERIOR LIFE OF KAHN
In an episode of the Listen In, Michigan podcast, architectural history and theory associate professor Claire Zimmerman argues that the prolific Albert Kahn does not have the industry recognition he deserves. Kahn’s name is familiar to many alumni as the architect of Angell Hall, Burton Memorial Tower, and the Hatcher Graduate Library as well as several other U-M landmarks.
EVERYBODY IN, NOBODY OUT
In a special presentation by the Stamps School of Art & Design, University Musical Society President Emeritus Ken Fischer and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis discuss community connection and the performing arts. Marsalis wrote the introduction to Fischer’s book, “Everybody In, Nobody Out,” which focuses on how the arts can benefit communities.
