Orellana’s 14 paintings, four sculpture pieces and one video installation explore issues of consumer culture and our relationship with war. Orellana teaches in the Visual Arts department.
Image title: Cool Grey by Wendy Klemperer, colored wax, wire, 21 X 26 X 7″ featured during the Two Sculptors exhibit Jan. 15 through March 7, 2008 at the Arts Atrium Gallery, Visual Arts Building Image title: Beyond Good and Evil by Steven Brower, mixed media, featured during the Two Sculptors exhibit Jan. 15 through March 7, 2008 at the Arts Atrium Gallery, Visual Arts Building
Through March 7
Two Sculptors
Burns Arts Atrium
Visual Arts Building
Features works by Brooklyn-based sculptors Wendy Klemperer and Steven Brower. Klemperor’s work includes raw steel armatures that include horses, wolves and dogs as their subject matter, using the immediate energy and power of those natural forms to explore internal states. She has exhibited her work throughout the United States. Brower’s work reflects on the process of making art and shows an interest in de-coding that practice. His work has been exhibited widely at galleries and colleges in the Unites States and abroad. The artists will talk about their work Thursday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow at 4:30 in the Arts Atrium.
Rob Shirley '09, digital art show
Through March 23
Wikoff Student Gallery
The Nott Memorial
Digital Art: 7 Union Students
An exhibition of two- and three-dimensional works created by Michael Bono ’09, Sarah Jacobson ’10, Steven Leung ’10, Rob Shirley ’09, Kathrin Burschyk ’11, Justin Blau ’08 and Emily Burgess ’10 in the fall Digital Art class taught by Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Fernando Orellana.
Colleagues and friends are planning a campus memorial service for the spring for John E. Miller, technical director and lighting designer at Yulman Theatre, who died Thursday, Feb. 14, at Ellis Hospital. He was 59.
The funeral was held Monday in Colonie. Miller is survived by his wife Linda Dott; their children, Erik, Alyssa, Kristen and Tiana; his brother, James Miller; sisters, Jane (Robert) Riggs and Sally Miller; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his siblings Susan and Thomas.
John Miller, technical director and lighting designer, Yulman Theater
Miller joined Union in 1987, inspiring students and colleagues throughout a career that included dozens of productions at Yulman Theater, the former theater at the Nott Memorial, and at local and regional venues. He was teaching a class this term on lighting design and was preparing for the upcoming winter dance concert.
A native of Amityville, N.Y., the son of Victor and Lucile (Schaaf) Miller, Miller was a graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, where he earned degrees in history and theater. He also earned a master’s degree in theater from the University at Binghamton.
He worked at the Bristol Valley Playhouse in Naples, N.Y., and was a founding member of Home Made Theater of Saratoga Springs. He was technical director for Curtain Call Theatre of Latham and actively involved with the Blue Roses Theatre of Schenectady High School. He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and loved camping at Fish Creek in the Adirondacks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for the children may be sent to: John E. Miller Memorial Fund c/o Trustco Bank 1048 State St., Schenectady, NY 12307.
Fernando Orellana is one of a growing number of artists worldwide who are creating works of art intimately connected to mechanics and technology.
His paintings and sculptural works – primarily interactive electronic and high-tech installations, or robots – are now on view at the Mandeville Gallery through May 11 in “Fernando Orellana: Recent Work.”
Orange Leg, Fernando Orellana
The new exhibition, which includes 14 paintings, four sculpture pieces and one video installation titled “The Nightly News,” explores issues of consumer culture and our relationship with war.
Fernando Orellana's “The Nightly News,” video installation
An artist’s reception is set for Friday, Feb. 22, 5–7:30 p.m.
Orellana’s paintings were inspired, in part, by the Mandeville’s recent “Armed” exhibition (subtitled "Contemporary Art and Violence"). That show explored the human obsession with weapons and the complexities of aggression.
The works in the new Mandeville exhibit encourage the viewer "to take a critical look at how we view weapons, how we relate to them and what we do with them." Orellana's robots interact and react to the viewer’s presence as he focuses on the climate of fear and paranoia that has developed post-9/11.
“Much of my recent work involves the increasing disengagement and disembodiment of people within our society, as we unwittingly allow technology to dominate our lives,” said Orellana, assistant professor of Visual Arts. “The ordinary objects that the modern world worships simultaneously drive our growth and cause our demise.”
Poop Bomb, by Fernando Orellana
The sculptures include “Carry On,” which explores ideas of paranoia, surveillance and voyeurism through a group of suitcases fitted out with surveillance equipment; and a large-scale piece called “Extruder,” which will mass-produce Play-Doh automobiles to equal the estimated worldwide production of automobiles produced in one hour in the year 2000 (approximately 4,740).
These two pieces encapsulate the major themes of the exhibition: fear, paranoia, accumulation, destruction and power.
John E.Kelly III '76 and Professor Fernando Orellana.
Orellana is currently developing an electronic art program in the Computer Science Department. He holds a BFA in art and technology (1998) from the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from the Ohio State University Art & Technology program, where he continued his research into machine/sculpture automata, robotics, artificial life and painting.
He has exhibited nationally and internationally, including in Sotheby’s/Artlink galleries in Tel Aviv, London and New York, and he has received numerous scholarships and fellowships. Some recent exhibitions include “BrainWave: Common Senses” at Exit Art, New York City (2008); “EMERGENTES” at LABoral, Gijon, Spain (2007); and “Elevator’s Music” at the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs (2007).
A full color catalogue of the new exhibition will be available March 17. For more about Orellana’s work, visit: www.fernandoorellana.com.
Keynote speaker and former Union professor Paul LeClerc speaks during the Founders Day Convocation at Memorial Chapel. Founders Day 2008.
Paul LeClerc, president and chief executive officer of the New York Public Library and a former professor at Union, traced the course of his career during his keynote address at Founders Day Thursday in Memorial Chapel.
LeClerc received the inaugural John Bigelow Medal, established by President Stephen C. Ainlay to recognize friends of the College who have contributed to the advancement of humanity.
Bigelow, of Union’s Class of 1835, was an author, publisher, lawyer and statesman who was instrumental in the formation of the New York Public Library. Schaffer Library is exhibiting selections from Bigelow's personal library, which was donated to the College and is housed in Special Collections. LeClerc said he used Bigelow's books while completing his doctoral thesis.
The College's seal bears the image of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, and a Latin phrase meaning, “We all become brothers under the laws of Minerva.” The New York Public Library also holds Minerva as an important symbol, as does Hunter College, where LeClerc served as president from 1988 to 1993.
“My career here at Union began with Minerva. It began with Bigelow’s books. And Minerva stays with Union. Minerva, for [Bigelow], was a symbol of the library. Minerva’s core principles guide this college and guide so many of us,” LeClerc said.
The Schenectady Pipe Band leads the procession at the start of Founders Day Convocation. Founders Day 2008.
LeClerc has been with the New York Public Library since 1993. He was a professor of French at Union from 1966 through 1979, and chair of Modern Languages from 1971 through 1977.
Also at Founders Day, the Gideon Hawley Teacher Recognition Award was given to Mark C. Litton, an English teacher at Miramonte High School in Orinda, Calif. He was nominated by Thanh-Mai Bui-Duy ’11. The award is named for the 1809 graduate of Union who was New York State’s first superintendent of public education. It is awarded to secondary school teachers who have had a continuing influence on the academic life of Union students.
Founders Day commemorates the 213th anniversary of the granting of the College’s charter from the New York State Board of Regents.
Friday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. / SSCI 017 / Spencer Crew, executive director of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, will speak on “The Challenges of Presenting the Underground Railroad in a Public Setting”
Friday, Feb. 22 – Monday, Feb. 25, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: The Mist
Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. / Messa Rink at Achilles Center / Men’s hockey vs. Clarkson
Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. / Messa Rink at Achilles Center / Men’s hockey vs. St. Lawrence
Saturday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. / Memorial Chapel / Chamber Concert Series featuring Musicians from Marlboro
Sensemaya, Latin music
Saturday, Feb. 23, 8-11:30 p.m. / Blue House / Latin dance with the six-piece band Sensemaya, led by pianist David Gleason. Latin cuisine will be served. Co-sponsored with the Music Department. For more information, contact Prof. Tim Olsen, ext. 6563. Admission free.
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. / Fred L. Emerson Foundation Auditorium, Taylor Music Center / South Indian classical dance and music recital featuring Shivani Pathak ’10, accompanied by a group of accomplished Indian musicians
Monday, Feb. 25, 6:15 p.m. / Richmond Basement / Residential Life presents the film: 30 Days
Monday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. / Wold Great Room / Beatles film night
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 10 p.m. / Old Chapel / Comedian Ryan Conner
Thursday Feb. 28, 12:50 p.m. / SSC104 / Pizza & Politics: "Union College Republicans versus Union College Democrats: Debating Illegal Immigration"
Thursday, Feb. 28, 12:50-1:50 p.m. / Everest Lounge, Hale House / Rapaport Ethics Across the Curriculum lunch, discussion and call for proposals
Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m. / Reamer Auditorium / Entrepreneurship club’s 3rd annual business plan competition
Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. / Thank You for Smoking, movie event and pizza
Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. / Everest Lounge / “To Judge a Book by its Cover”; Brenda Wineapple, the Doris Zemurray Stone Professor of Modern Literary and Historical Studies will talk about her experience as a judge for the National Book Awards. For more information, contact Diane Nebolini, administrative assistant for English, 388-6231; nebolind@union.edu.
Friday, Feb. 29 – Monday, March 3, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: Michael Clayton
Friday, Feb. 29, 8 p.m. / Memorial Chapel / Chamber Concert Series features Emanual Ax, pianist
Saturday, March 1, 1 p.m. / Frank Bailey Field / Men’s lacrosse vs. Utica
Saturday, March 1, 8 p.m. / Fred L. Emerson Foundation Auditorium / Musicians of Ma’alwyck presents “Moonstruck”
Sunday, March 2, 1 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Speaker’s Forum presents “Invisible Children: Rough Cut”
Sunday, March 2, 7-9 p.m. and Monday, March 3, 8:30-10:30 a.m. / University of Michigan’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Players will present “Conflict in the Classroom.” Sunday’s events begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday’s breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. Faculty members who wish to attend are urged to contact Judy Ludwig at ludwigj@union.edu
