ARTIST’S STATEMENT
U LETTER
Energized by the late Prof. Heinegg
AS
When Chris Sainato ’14 stopped by to paint the new U in September (check out his work on the cover), he had a plan. Sainato is a senior designer, graphics and concept, at Vineyard Vines. Learn more about him and his artistic pursuits at www.chrissainato.com.
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I wanted to work some collage into the piece. I pulled together a New York Times from the 1920s, a Vogue magazine from the 50s, and a Life magazine from the 60s. The headlines and imagery cause the viewer to reflect and travel back in time. Maybe it reminds them of grandparents, parents or even younger versions of themselves. In the foreground, I wanted to create something visually interesting and organic. I decided to explore a new technique of cutting up a foam roller and using it to create equal lines. The lines collide, overlap and intertwine with each other and represent the chaotic, fast-paced world we live in. The viewer is forced to pause and search the frenzied stripes for the images beneath. Many of the images are clippings of models from Vogue magazine. They’re symbolic of Union’s openness to change and the benefit that comes with a bold re-imagination of the future. The women in those images would not have been allowed to attend Union College at the time their photos were published. I think it’s important to highlight that Union has a history of challenging tradition, adapting and course-correcting. It’s part of what makes it great. We all owe it to ourselves to question things and change when necessary— nothing changes if nothing changes. The surface of the new U is fantastic and welcomes a more imaginative approach to painting. There is so much potential to be unlocked and I’m excited to see what the Union community comes up with. I know I’ll certainly paint it again, and I hope that many others come and leave their own mark on the iconic U. Everything in this world is temporary; whether it’s our time at Union, the paint on the U, or the original Idol itself. The value lives in appreciating it while you can, remembering it when it’s gone, and welcoming what’s to come next in its place.
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a freshman wanting to sample from the liberal arts during spring 1978, I registered for Professor Heinegg’s Modern Drama class. I sat in the front row, not realizing I had chosen the best seat in the house…and not realizing what was in store. Prof. Heinegg would stride into class (seemingly in a hurry from somewhere else), drop his worn leather briefcase on the table, swipe back his flop of hair, and hit the proverbial on button. For one hour, his class was alive with history, anecdotes, symbolism, humor, raunchy humor, biography—all of it. From Nora to Gregor Samsa to Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot, Prof. Heinegg captivated us. What he brought to class, I took away: I was energized and excited about literature, and knew I wanted to (had to!) take more English courses and more with him especially. I did become an English major and I did take more classes with Prof. Heinegg and l loved it! Decades later the memory of this exceptional teacher remains vivid. I am so grateful for his intellect and wit that transformed our learning and us in the process. BUTHAINA SHUKRI ’81
FALL 2021 | UNION COLLEGE
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