Summit on Science, Entertainment, and Education

I really enjoyed this video- thanks for sharing Lee. Interesting debates and conversations about about the business of trying to get the entertainment industries and  science industries around the same agenda.

Sir Ken Robinson states that, "Creativity is the pulse of science, if you steal that then you lose another generation. " Imagination, creativity, and innovation are essential when talking about reshaping today's education. Science, technology, and math alone cannot sustain our society because the arts/creativity is what makes them possible.
http://thinkdesignchange.com/why-stem-disciplines-are-necessary-but-not-en

Cabrini Green Marks End With Poetry and Lights

Wow, thanks Jessica for posting this article and the link to the project's website. I've been interested in the issue of gentrification for a while now and the community of Cabrini Green is a great example of its consequences, or as some would say, its benefits. There's a thesis written by former SAIC student Irina Zadov titled "Saying Goodbye to Cabrini Green: Self-Representation Through Community Mapping" that addresses these same issues with students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from Cabrini Green. This sound and light installation accompanying the demolition of the last government housing high-rise is a great way to emphasize the importance of this community and an opportunity for residents to say goodbye. It's the least they can do- allowing former residents to have the opportunity to voice their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences before losing their homes and community. The time and effort put into this project shows respect to the Cabrini Green's legacy. Evian Bridgeman, a member of the Cabrini Green marching band said he saw the demolition as a beginning both for the neighborhood and for the former residents who had started new lives throughout the city. “It’s bitter,” he said. “And it’s sweet”. I agree, the only question is if it will be a good one.

http://www.chicagonewscoop.org/cabrini-green-to-exit-with-poetry-and-lights/
 Project: http://www.projectcabrinigreen.org/index.php

Teenage Curators

I think the idea of teenage curators is great! Museum's could benefit greatly from using youths' influential ideas. According to museum's director, Jill Medvedow, of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, “So many contemporary artists deal with issues of identity, sex, politics, gender and authority...Those are the issues that so many teenagers deal with.”  Teenagers as leaders within the art world helps broaden the general audience by introducing innovative ideas that address a variety of interests usually not met in a common museum setting. Additionally, students are able to interact and immerse themselves in art through ways that would not be provided otherwise. More museums, and organizations in general, should implement programs as such that involve the youth- so much can be gained.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/arts/design/teenage-curators-at-the-institute-of-contemporary-art.html?_r=3&ref=artsspecial

Take Away Art and We are Left with Nothing but……..?

As for our discussion about Emily’s article today, I don’t think there needs to be a measuring tool for art.  The only question that is relevant is how has art largely affected our world in the past and still is today? Eliminate artistry and we will be left in an extremely dry society. Take the entertainment industry for instance, yes, maybe not every rapper, singer and or songwriting has went to school for their talents but you can be sure that somebody helping them succeed has- such as advertisers, producers, the filming, sound, and lighting crew, etc. The same applies to the movie and theater industries- there would be none. Great singers, rappers, actors, etc. will still exist but there will be no one to help them become seen or heard.  The list goes on: no new clothing lines without fashion designers, no clothes period without craftsmanship, no extraordinary furniture without furniture designers and carpenters, no websites without web designers, no fancy ipods, ipads, and iphones without tech designers, no improved buildings and streets of any type without architects, no infrastructure period without a skilled construction crew. Each and every one of these individuals are artists. They each have a sense of aesthetics, problem-solving, creativity………and overall a “voice”- that will never be heard unless we encourage and implement the arts in schools.

 Take away art and we are left with nothing but……..?  (Fill in the blank, your thoughts are appreciated)