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The Pioneer Log arts

MARCH 23, 2012

ARTISTS CONVEY GENDERED EXPERIENCES

Vanessa Paloma to perform Songs From the Tip of Africa

BY GILLIAN SULLIVAN-BING
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MAGGIE MCDERMUT

BY DREW LENIHAN
Arts Editor

The Gender Studies Symposium was complemented with one of the strongest art shows ever to hit upper Templeton in years. From March 14-16, a show consisting of 11 student artists and eight professional artists hung in Stamm. The show was curated by art majors Sula Wilson (12) and Katherine Landerholm (12). The symposiums show was juried and three different student artists were given prizes for their excellence and commitment to works exploring the themes of gender identity, deconstruction and feminism. The first place prize went to Claire Tsuji (13)for her Untitled pen and ink series depicting cultural historical textiles. Second place was awarded to Abigail McNamara (12) for her piece Outlaws 1-12,

and third went to Spencer ByrneSeres (13) for his cement sculpture Them and Us. The show accepted more work than usual, making it more diverse and compelling than in years past. The majority of the work was overtly gender-related or spoke to its gendered intention in the artists statements. In addition to the numerous panels and lecturers, the show provided the symposium with another window into the experience of constructing gender through the process of art rather than a discursive nature. As cocurator Wilson reflected, The art show is important because it provides a tangible expression of an individuals gendered experience in the word. It provides students and professionals, men and women, an opportunity to share work and ideas under the universal umbrella of artistic expression.

The Gender Symposium Art Show in Stamn featured 11 student artists and eight professional artists. Outlaws 1-12 (top) by Abigail McNamara won second place.

Rarely is a single person able to bring such a wealth of talents to the Lewis & Clark community as the multi-talented Vanessa Paloma. A world-renowned vocalist specializing in Judeo-Spanish music from Sephardic Morocco, Paloma will be featured on April 3 in a performance entitled Songs From the Tip of Africa. Sung in Spanish with melodies and instrument combinations that are distinctly Moroccan, Palomas pieces gracefully capture complex cultural interactions, bringing the voices and personal histories of Sephardic Moroccans across the continental divide right to campus. While her vocal performance stands out as an undeniable highlight of her visit, Palomas impact will be as intellectual and experiential as it will be musical. According to Professor Oren Kosansky, Palomas integration of artistic and intellectual endeavors is highly compatible with the goals of a liberal arts education. Palolma is not only a singer, but also a scholar currently studying the musical and oral storytelling methods of Moroccan women. In addition to her musical performance, Palomas visit will include a number of on-campus lectures on the topic of her most recent research.

Isaac Campbell-Smith (14), Jake Simonds (14) and Justin Ketzler (14) host Infinite Yesterday Comedy Hour
having a mic in front of us gives us a false sense of encouragement. For Simonds, the radio show is a great place to just hang out with two other comedians and talk about funny stuff. Although they originally met in the Bon and on the Pioneer Express and started the show because of their common interest, the comedians have developed a rapport. What do they talk about for the comedy hour? Sometimes, one of the hosts will bring in the Pioneer Log to use as a prompt, commenting on what is going on around campus or giving their uncensored opinions on student culture. Although the hosts can make jokes out of any material, the show is most entertaining when people call in. These friendly comedians will even invite callers or passersby into the studio for a chat. They have also offered to give a free Polio vaccination to the fan that has the 100th like of the shows facebook page, but the prize has not been confirmed by Bess Austin of the health center. Infinite Yesterday Comedy Hour airs every Tuesday at 11 p.m. at http://college.lclark.edu/student_ life/klc_radio/.

Palomas integration of artistic and intellectual endeavors is highly compatible with the goals of a liberal arts education.
Palomas personal experiences in Morocco will have additional benefits for the LC community. Students who have been accepted into the Morocco study abroad program will have the opportunity to speak with Paloma and draw on her experience and insight. Kosansky, who led the trip in 2011, especially stressed the value of her perspective as an American woman who now lives in Morocco. While the trip participants will undoubtedly experience a certain amount of culture shock, the female participants in particular will experience a culture that is gendered very differently than the one here in the States. Paloma offers up real life experience that will be extremely pertinent to their upcoming ventures and goes beyond the cultural analysis of a scholar or the patchy advice of travel guide. From outstanding, world-renowned music to scholarship and life experience, Palomas visit will be uniquely far-reaching. Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m. Evans Auditorium, free for students, faculty, staff and $10 for the public.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR WALLAU

TAYLOR WALLAU
Staff Writer

You may not have heard of the stand-up comedy term infinite yesterday, but the three comedians that make up KLCs Infinite Yesterday Comedy Hour are well-

versed in the art of telling jokes. The name of the show refers to the tendency for comedians to tell stories, whether or not they are fictional, as if they occurred recently. Show hosts Jake Simonds (14), Justin Ketzler (14) and Isaac Campbell-Smith (14) all have ex-

perience with stand-up comedy outside of LC Open Mic nights, but the Portland comedy scene was not fulfilling their comedic needs. The comedy show is an outlet for us, Campbell-Smith said. Although the hosts do not always come prepared with a format,