Teaching in a Country of Contrasts

Posted on May 4, 2014 by silvermic

micah sittig 7In 1998, Micah Sittig decided to take an evening class in Mandarin Chinese at Pasadena City College.

That class sparked his interest in PCC’s Chinese language program–and began a journey he couldn’t have imagined.

Today, Micah is an international educator, who has just moved back to the U.S. after ten years of teaching both physics and math in Shanghai.  Prior to that, he taught English in Tianjin–and spent a summer in Princeton’s intensive “immersion” program for advanced study of the Chinese language, Princeton in Beijing.

Micah talked about learning the Chinese language and culture, as well as his experiences working in the People’s Republic of China, and offered some learning resources.

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Daemons and Destiny

Posted on May 4, 2014 by silvermic

Robert Oventile1So, what exactly is a “daemon”?

Dr. Robert Oventile, an assistant professor of English at Pasadena City College, answers that question in his latest book.  (His explanation is too good to give away here!)

Dr. Oventile’s second book is entitled Satan’s Secret Daughters: the Muse As Daemon.   And in his book, he makes the case for seven female protagonists, in classic literature, who function in that capacity.   Among the classic works his book explores are Shakespeare’s Othello, Milton’s Paradise Lost, Sandy Florian’s The Tree of No and Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder.

Dr. Oventile defined his term, talked about the creative process of writing Satan’s Secret Daughters, and explored some of the ways in which the “daemon” interacts with a main male character in several of the classics.

 

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The Artistry Behind the Fun

Posted on April 27, 2014 by silvermic
Bob Baker Marionette Theater's current production, "Fun With Strings". (Photograph courtesy of Bob Baker Marionette Theater.)

Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s current production, “Fun With Strings”. (Photograph courtesy of Bob Baker Marionette Theater.)

The word “puppet” conjures up some smile-worthy images.

But, there’s so much more to puppetry–as an art form–than lovable “fuzzies” and kids’ entertainment.   And for the second year in a row, Los Angeles’ citywide L.A. Puppet Fest has celebrated the art of puppetry, with thirteen days of workshops, special events, and, of course, performances!

L.A. Puppet Fest Coordinator Sherry Layne is Assistant Manager and performance coordinator of Puppet School, and L.A. Puppet Fest committee member Alex Evans is a puppeteer and the stage manager for the Bob Baker Marionette Theater,  now in its fifty-third season.

Sherry and Alex talked about the origins of L.A. Puppet Fest, and offered a preview of some of the 2014 Puppet Fest events–including the April Fools’ Puppet Ball and Million-Puppet Parade, with Bob Baker, of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater,  as its Grand Marshal.

 

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The Artist As Messenger

Posted on April 25, 2014 by silvermic
(Photograph courtesy of Walter and Elise Askin, and used with permission.)

(Photograph courtesy of Walter and Elise Askin, and used with permission.)

His colors are vivid and sunny.   His characters are drawn with a gentle yet satirical humor, and are often performing, dancing, and celebrating.    And viewers get to see them all over the world.

Modern artist Walter Askin, a Pasadena native, has spent his life in the art world.  He creates his work in all kinds of media, and has exhibited as a solo artist in Europe and the U.S.   Walter has also taught art classes at institutions including CSULA, UC Berkeley and the University of Hawaii, and is the current Director of the Visual Humor Project.

In addition to creating visual art, Walter is an author.  His latest book, True Fictions, the Search for Ecstacy in the Rubble of Contemporary Culture, Alas…Being an Aesthetic Ramble to Various Points of View Including the Amazing Wonders of Wobblevision, takes a humorous look at some of the characters and attitudes he’s seen in the art world.

Walter talked about his new book and shared some of his thoughts on creating art.

Walter Askin will be exhibiting his sculpture in the Sam Maloof Gardens 40 Californian Sculptors Show, on Sunday, May 4, from noon until 3:00 pm.  The show is located at the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts, 5131 Carnelian Street, north of  Bella Vista Drive, in Rancho Cucamonga.   Phone: 909 980-0412

 

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A Journey of Education–and Service

Posted on April 20, 2014 by silvermic

simon fraser in studio2As an elected student government official, Simon Fraser has navigated some turbulent times.

Simon has served on the Executive Board of Associated Students of Pasadena City College  for three of his four years as an enrolled student at PCC.   First elected as AS’ Chief Justice, he went on to serve as their President last year, and currently holds the position of PACCD Student Trustee.

With AS’ elections coming up–and in the wake of PCC administrators’ decision not to feature Dustin Lance Black as 2014 commencement speaker–Simon talked about his journey as a student leader, and his perspective on the current campus climate.

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Realities of “The Other Side”

Posted on April 14, 2014 by silvermic
Hung Liu, Jiu Jin Shan (Old Gold Mountain), 2014. Train tracks and fortune cookies. Courtesy of the artist.

Hung Liu, Jiu Jin Shan (Old Gold Mountain), 2014. Train tracks and fortune cookies. Courtesy of the artist.

In the late 1800s, immigrants to California followed their dreams of a better life.

The realities they found were harsh, gritty–and often deadly.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum‘s current exhibition,  “The Other Side: Chinese and Mexican Immigration to America”  explores the experiences of immigrants to California, from the late 1800s to the present, through the eyes of five artists.

Guest curator Chip Tom explained the origins of this unique exhibit, and discussed one aspect of immigration that doesn’t occur to most people, but which the exhibition explores.  He also offered an in-depth look at the ways the exhibit parallels nineteenth-century history and twenty-first century immigration issues.

“The Other Side: Chinese and Mexican Immigation to America” is on display at the USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles, in Pasadena.  The exhibition runs from now through Sunday, July 20th.

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