Posted on Oct 28, 2010

Hilary Zelson ’11 recently spent seven weeks as an artist in residence at the Chautauqua School of Art at the historic Chautauqua Institution in western New York, one of 35 select students given a small studio space and the freedom to pursue her creative passion.  

“Immediately drawn to the beautiful landscape, I found myself spending countless hours painting outside,” she said. “I have never been so happily immersed in my work. For me, it resulted in unimaginable exploration.”

The results of her summer of exploration are on display in the Wikoff Student Gallery on the third floor of the Nott Memorial through Nov. 14. On Friday, Nov. 5, 5-6 p.m. she will host an artist’s reception at the gallery.  

The work on view reflects her focus on landscapes and abstractions.

“In Chautauqua, like most places, the day was filled with light and the night meant darkness. For this reason, I created my landscape paintings during the day, and my abstract paintings during the night. Working on both styles filled my mind with all kinds of ideas to bounce off of one another,” Zelson said.  

“Although both styles are unique, I hope my flow of ideas and personality runs through all the work.”  

Posted on Oct 27, 2010

By Amilah Richards '14

The Department of Theater and Dance will present “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” a farce by awarding-winning playwright Sarah Ruhl, Wednesday, Nov. 3 through Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Yulman Theater. Department Chair William Finlay is directing.

The play focuses on the technology-obsessed Jean, who answers, as the title suggests, the cell phone of a dead man named Gordon. This awkward encounter forces her to face many of her life’s realities. The play eventually turns into an intimate love story.

“I would describe it as very abstract, animated and funny,” said Jackie Toop ’12, who is cast in the role of Mrs. Gottlieb, Gordon’s distressed mother. “The audience members are going to have to use their minds to get a sense of the scenery.”

Ryan Semerad ’13, who plays Gordon’s brother, Dwight, says the play is “nothing like mainstream theater. It’s more symbolic, like watching different paintings and motions tell a story. You have to really interpret them for what they are.”

In the lead roles are Shannon Vanderwalker ’11 as Jean and Benjamin Romer ’11 as Gordon. Jillian DeBono ’13 is The Other Woman and Robyn Belt ’14, Hermia.

Charles Steckler is the set designer, with Anne Woodward as stage designer and Steven Michalek, production manager and tech director. Brittany Belz, visiting assistant professor and Union’s new costumer, is in charge of the costumes.

Tickets are available at the Yulman Theater Box office Monday through Friday, 12:30-1:30 p.m. The cost is $7 with a Union ID and $10 for general admission. For reservations and information, call 388-6545.

View the event in the Campus Calendar

Posted on Oct 25, 2010

Assistant Psychology Professor Christopher Chabris reviewed John Duncan's book, "How Intelligence Happens," for The Wall Street Journal.

Chabris is a frequent contributor to the Journal. To read his review, click here (subscription may be required).

Chabris also spoke recently at PopTech in Camden, Maine. To read about his appearance, click here.

To watch an interview with Chabris, click here.

Chabris and Daniel J. Simons, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, recently published their new book, “The Invisible Gorilla, And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us.” 

Published by Crown, the book tackles “six everyday illusions that profoundly influence our lives,” the authors write: “the illusions of attention, memory, confidence, knowledge, cause, and potential.”

Posted on Oct 25, 2010

"Critical Stitch," a major new show which recently opened at the Mandeville Gallery in the Nott Memorial, was featured in the Times Union.

The show, which runs through Dec. 19, is curated by Lorraine Morales Cox, professor of art history.

To read the article, click here.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

Posted on Oct 25, 2010

"Critical Stitch," a major new show which recently opened at the Mandeville Gallery in the Nott Memorial, was featured in the Times Union.

The show, which runs through Dec. 19, is curated by Lorraine Morales Cox, professor of art history.

To read the article, click here.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

Posted on Oct 25, 2010

Longtime consumer advocate and four-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader spoke in Memorial Chapel Wednesday, Oct. 20. The topic of Nader’s talk was “Corporate Supremacy vs. The Sovereignty Of The People – The Path Ahead!"

To read about his visit in The Daily Gazette, click here.