Kinesthetics Craze An image appeared in either a RISD catalogue or an alumni newsletter with a picture of my mother Bethany (Gleason) Kallgren Marshall 44 AP and several other women in leotards with arms outstretched. It is taken from above. How would I go about getting a copy of that photo? She is 87, a big fan of the school and has been an avid donor for years and years.
WOrds
Eliza Bethany Fort Collins, CO
Total Makeover
or less
It’s a beautiful tradition. We try to keep it undead!
Thank you for including a picture from Krakow in the fall ’09 edition of risd views (above left). Erratum: Pictured is the presenter of the awards (not me) in front of a screen with my work. Award winners, encumbered with huge trophies and enormous bouquets, just faced the audience and smiled—no speeches. Could you print a correction in the next edition? My classmates will think I underwent a total makeover; whether for the better is, of course, a matter of opinion. Here is a picture of me (above right) at the Krakow art gallery with my award-winning work.
Deena (Coty) des Rioux
10
63 IL
Chelsea McAlarney 11 IL RISD Zombie King in a projo.com video
NEW YORK, NY
Editor’s note: As we were about to go to press, Eliza let us know that her mother (shown above, to the upper left) died peacefully on Mother’s Day. This photo from the RISD Archives is simply labelled “kinesthetics class, 1943.” If you took “kinesthetics” at RISD or can identify any of the other women shown here, please be in touch at risdxyz@risd.edu.
Snippets
I originally selected Painting as my major, and after a year of study, switched to Film/Animation/Video because I thought it would be the best context for my education, making use of my interests over several areas (moving images, sound, interdisciplinary collaboration, etc.). Although my work today is on the web, the interdisciplinary collaboration element is critical to what I do. Leadership and management in a creative and technical business is very similar to the directing role in film/video. While holding a vision, you must be able to gather a team, impart your vision and seek the realization of your vision through the talents of others. Films are like that; so are companies.
from a long thread on LinkedIn Angel Steger BArch 05: For all of the omnivores and polymaths who do something different from your major: How did you translate your skills and passions to another medium? Angel!! Gotta tell you, I’m still working on that one. Being an architect is technically my fourth career field switch. I’m contemplating yet another one. Have to say, though, I don’t think there’s an easy answer for those of us who are intelligent and are interested in many things. We’ll always be pushed and pulled by opportunities and interests, and always have the option of excelling in any one of them (until senility and arthritis hit).
Christopher Butler 03 FAV
Like many others, I chose to study architecture because it was already a mix of the art and science/math that was of interest to me. In practicing for the past 25+(!) years, it is not the building design itself that has been the most interesting—it is the problem solving. If I find a problem, I can’t help noodling it around until I have a solution. Even this is not quite enough. I have found I still need to do real art—painting or jewelry—to keep sane. Even the best job has demands that drive you a bit crazy. But most of us are lucky if we find work we enjoy. I am still amazed at the number of people I meet who just work to make enough money to live. I could never do that…
Design has the potential to have huge impact in the world, but it could be better integrated into the global conversation of what’s going on. It’s often insular—to its detriment. I chose to go into web products primarily because I would have exposure to a lot of different facets of what makes something happen and work. I like the complexity of the work, the diversity of the people I work with and the malleability of information. While I’m learning a lot of the other facets now, what I got from RISD was: 1. To be able to listen for opportunities and to create compelling problems from them. 2. To be able to intelligently present and discuss ideas 3. The courage to adapt to any material and to be uniquely aware of language, not just visuals. 4. To work hard for the sake of the work. 5. To not take myself too seriously. The right thing for me is the thing I’m excited about, not the one that makes the most sense.
Anne Elliott (Elly Williams) Merica BArch 84
Angel Steger BArch 05
Victoria Su MArch 04
At times inactivity is preferable to mindless functioning. Jenny Holzer MFA 77 on Twitter
Everything Matters Men’s room graffiti in College Building courtesy of Professor Mike Fink
Artists are natural marketers for everyone but themselves. Oren Sherman 78 IL [quoted] on Twitter
Joining a conversation is different from just listening in. John Maeda on Twitter
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