(11/20/12 5:00am)
The 79-year-old woman who can barely see over the podium was haunted by her work. "Surrealist art is about being haunted by something. If you want to work on surrealism you must, by golly, be haunted," said Mary Ann Caws, who gave a lecture called "Looking After Surrealism" on Tuesday night at the Rose Art Museum. Surrealism is a cultural movement that flourished in Europe beginning in the 1920s. Surrealist art and writing contains an element of surprise including nontraditional juxtopositions, and non sequitors. Caws obsessed about the openness of surrealist art such as the drawn curtains that pervade Ren?(c) Magritte's work or the wide open planes of Salvador Dal?'s canvases. Each painting she showed in her presentation included a poem. Caws read several verses from her favorite French poets, Pierre Reverdy and Andr?(c) Breton.
(11/13/12 5:00am)
This is the first installment of a weekly column written by SCRAM members about various topics and events at the Rose, including artwork reviews. Some people on campus know us as "those kids who throw that giant rager at the Rose every year." Well, we are, but the SCRAM students do a lot more than just that. We are SCRAM, the Student Committee for the Rose Art Museum. We are a volunteer group of undergraduates who work with the Rose staff to bring museum-related events to the Brandeis community. Funded by the generous contributions of the late managing director at Prospect Venture Partners, Alex Barkas '68 and his wife, Lynda Wijcik, the club's mission is to strengthen the relationship between the Rose and Brandeis students. To do this, we organize events to introduce and familiarize undergraduates to the Rose who may otherwise be unfamiliar with it. We are most well known for SCRAM JAM, a mixer held after-hours in the galleries with music, free food and drinks and other fun activities. SCRAM works with museum staff to spread the word about the museum's cutting-edge exhibitions and unrivalled collection of modern and contemporary art in New England. This is done through artist's lectures, gallery talks by Brandeis professors and student-led tours. In the past two years, we have brought yoga sessions, a spring concert by Dan Deacon of Animal Collective and film screenings to the Rose community and the student body. We are also responsible for helping the museum distribute the Student Loan Collection, which happened just last week. This collection, begun in 1956 by Charna Stone Cowan and later expanded by Boston gallery owner Mildred Lee, is a compilation of over 500 pieces by the likes of Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Man Ray that Brandeis students can rent for their own rooms for a small fee. By doing this, the Rose hopes to establish a deeper connection with the Brandeis community. We want visitors to feel the same way we do when we walk into the Rose: excited, happy and inspired. This semester there are three exhibitions on view-"Dor Guez: 100 Steps to the Mediterranean," a solo exhibition of photography and video installations by Palestinian-Christian artist Dor Guez; "Art at the Origin: The Early Sixties," an exhibition exploring the museum's formative period by displaying paintings, sculptures and prints created from 1961-1966; and "Bruce Conner: EVE RAY FOREVER" (1965/2006), a stroboscopic film triptych created for artist Bruce Conner's 1965 exhibition at the Rose. With all of these activities, we give undergraduates the opportunity to come to the Rose and experience art firsthand. We love visitors at the Rose-have fun and learn something with us!
(11/12/12 5:00am)
After an exciting series of games this past fall to determine the final two teams in the tournament, the Intramural Football Championships were played out on Gordon Field Tuesday night. *
(11/12/12 5:00am)
The men's and women's swimming and diving squads continued to make waves with several standout individual performances last weekend. The men fell 149-103 at home to Bentley University last Sunday, while the women lost by a score of 135-106. The men also lost at Division-I Providence College by a margin of 118-70, and the women lost 142-58. *
(11/06/12 5:00am)
"Everything sucks in my books," joked national award-winning satirical author, Gary Shteyngart at his book talk in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall on Monday, Nov. 5. Those in attendance that night may disagree. The room was filled with bursts of laughter as Shteyngart read from two of his three best-selling novels: Super Sad True Love Story and The Russian Debutante's Handbook. Afterward, Dr. Kathy Lawrence, a literary scholar and wife of University President Frederick Lawrence, moderated a discussion with the author. * Shteyngart's visit garnered University-wide support; the event was sponsored by the Center for German and European Studies; the Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry; the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry; the Department of English; the Program in Creative Writing; the Department of German, Russian and Asian Lan-guages and Literature; the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; and the Russian Club. The support of these numerous on-campus organizations attests to Shteyngart's popularity within the Brandeis community. The wide audience of proud Russian speakers, regular students, Brandeis faculty and off-campus visitors also verified his broad influence on American readers. The author felt very welcome on Brandeis campus: "About 83 percent of my books are sold in the Boston area. ... No one else cares!" he snickered. * Shteyngart's unique voice, a self-deprecating fusion of Russian colloquialism and American wit, is the base of what makes his writing so engaging. Shteyngart attributes his style to his unconventional immigrant upbringing. His grandmother was a journalist for the newspaper Evening Leningrad, and she rewarded him with cheese for writing his first story, "Lenin and His Magical Goose," a fairytale about Lenin's adventure with a goose to set up a Communist republic in Finland. The dark tale ends when Lenin devours his avian comrade. * As an immigrant living in New York, young Shteyngart was forbidden to speak anything but Russian at home, and he wasn't allowed to watch TV until his bar mitzvah. "No one wanted to play with me because I had a big fur hat on all the time," he recalled. All of Shteyngart's books grapple with and jeer at Russian-American immigrant identity. His most recent novel, Super Sad True Love Story, is a satire that describes the future col-lapse of America centered around the romance between Larry Abramov, the son of Russian immigrants, and Eunice Park, the daughter of Korean immigrants. "All of it is humor from the edge of the grave," Shteyngart said, referencing the dark comedy that permeates his writing. "It's rooted in tragedy that's already happened or tragedies that will happen soon." * Although Shteyngart and his family fled Leningrad during the Cold War, he still visits Russia at least once every two years. "I go to Russia because I enjoy suffering a lot," he said. He gets writing material from his travels and the characters he encounters along the way. While Shteyngart says he enjoys being miserable, he prides himself in never suffering from writer's block. He simply has too much he wants to write about. "Like after a bad stomach virus, the words flow right out of me," he explained. Shteyngart's most recent project is a memoir, which he said is 10 pages from being finished. And, if his grandmother were still alive, he would look forward to a thick slice of cheese once it is published.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
When was the last time you clapped at the end of a movie? For me, it was at the end of Ben Affleck's newest directorial feature, and one of the most exciting movies released this year, Argo. Argo is based on the declassified true story of six United States diplomats who escaped the American embassy in Iran before it was captured by Iranian civilians, an event which began the Iran Hostage Crisis that would last 444 days in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The six diplomats find their way from the embassy to the Canadian ambassador's house, where they can hide until they can leave the country safely. Here is where the movie picks up. CIA specialist Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is charged by his boss (Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston) with the task of finding a way to get the hostages out of the extremely volatile (and anti-American) country. Mendez comes up with idea to have the six Americans pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a science fiction movie called 'Argo.' From there, Mendez contacts make-up artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) in Hollywood to help make this fake film seem real. Hopefully, if this appears legitimate enough, the ruse will get the Americans back home. The movie, which runs at almost exactly two hours, starts off with a bang, showing the invasion of the American embassy in Iran in 1979, and it never slows down. The situation is tense right from the start, and the last 30 minutes of the movie are absolutely riveting. I won't spoil any plot details (though, as a true story, they are readily available online), but the movie easily keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what will happen next. The action isn't violent or shoot-em-up; rather, it is an uneasy feeling of not knowing what will happen to the six Americans, or those trying to save them, at any point. Affleck shows true prowess as a director with this film. He is so confident in his material that, during the credits, he compares his shots in the movie to actual pictures of the Iranian situation at that time. It certainly shows. The film is well-crafted in its pacing as well as in the shots that were used. The opening scene shows the rush of the Iranians into the embassy from an aerial view, and the effect is chilling as we see the Americans inside frantically try to burn or shred any document in sight. For extra effect, Affleck chooses to put in real news footage throughout the film to intensify the situation. This technique also effectively provides background and adds a sense of realism to the film. The acting in the film is also top notch. Affleck is rather impressive in his role as Mendez. He pulls it off and plays the determined and smart CIA agent convincingly. However, it is the supporting actors who truly steal the show. Alan Arkin is excellent as the sarcastic, bombastic movie producer who begins the fake movie process. He and John Goodman, who plays the make-up artist and Tony's main Hollywood contact, add depth and quite a bit of humor to the film. They are given all the best lines, such as when Arkin's character humorously quips "If I'm gonna make a fake movie, it's gonna be a fake hit." The movie takes some pride in poking fun at Hollywood and those who do business there. Bryan Cranston also shines as Mendez's boss at the CIA, and colorfully plays a character that could have easily been lost in the shuffle and tension of the movie. Without these three supporting actors, the movie would not have been nearly as good, as they add layers to the film. The screenplay, written by Chris Terrio, is intriguing and fast-paced. Though none of the characters are particularly appealing emotionally, the storyline and the situations are incredibly tension-filled. There were moments when I audibly gasped at events occurring on the screen, both a combination of impressive camera work (done by Academy Award nominee Rodrigo Prieto) and the effective screenplay. The last 30 minutes, which go back and forth between the hiding Americans and those back in the United States, are absolutely incredible, and some of the most exciting moments I've seen in film. The editing and directing there are superb. Overall, Argo is a smart, dramatic and thrilling movie. What makes it so effective is that it has a little bit of everything. The drama is intense because it is real. This story is too incredible to make up, and because of that, everything about the film is realistic and fascinating. The movie also has a significant amount of comedy to it, especially in the Hollywood scenes; this keeps the film on the lighter side when the events surrounding the situation are literally life and death. The action is exciting and fast-paced without a single gunshot fired. Again, because the situation concerns the lives of the six hiding Americans, the suspense builds and builds until the climax as they try to escape. At the end of Argo, the audience and I clapped. At a film, as there is no curtain call or live performers to hear the praise, it is quite the compliment to hear applause, and this film certainly deserved it. *
(10/22/12 4:00am)
Universities are always changing, but the tailwinds of change have recently intensified. No one is quite sure what future university learning experiences will look like or how many universities will still be open in a decade or two. Disruptive forces are at our gates and, as a member of the Brandeis faculty, I am grateful that our leaders acknowledge these forces and have initiated a deliberative process by which we can come together to answer: How might Brandeis best assure its survival and flourishing in the years ahead? I looked forward to the "Preliminary Framework for the Strategic Plan" that the provost disseminated and hoped for an inspiring vision of what Brandeis might become. But I was sadly disappointed. While this framework addresses our possible future, it is written in ways that are more generic than inspiring. It claims to represent what is unique about Brandeis, but it could be describing any number of research universities in this country. Still, as University President Frederick Lawrence stressed, we can treat this framework as a preliminary statement and work to enhance the directions that it champions. In that spirit I will address two of its key directives: First, that "all Brandeis students will experience a highly personal education with opportunities to engage in real-world discovery" and, second, "our community will deepen its commitment to social justice." What is "a highly personal education?" The document describes it as students receiving "individual guidance and support to facilitate an academic experience that is excellent." But in what ways will that academic experience be excellent? The provost, in addressing the faculty, seemed to suggest that each student will be guided to work one-on-one with a professor who will involve the student in his or her cutting edge research. How that will happen and how many students could possibly be involved in cutting edge research has not been spelled out. In my many years of teaching here I recall wonderful experiences of working one-on-one with some students and also teaching other students who much preferred learning in small groups. In this document "discovery learning" seems to be identified only with this one-on-one model of interaction. But cannot discovery learning happen in small groups or even in captivating lectures? Indeed, can any one mode of teaching ever be viewed as the ideal model for all the varied learning interactions that take place at Brandeis? To more effectively promote "discovery learning," I would look to Professor Lee Shulman, a leading expert on learning in higher education, who asks: Why assume that discovery learning in a biology lab looks like discovery learning in a humanities course or a legal studies seminar? Rather, encourage teachers and learners in each of these learning contexts to define what makes for powerful learning and then create "signature pedagogies" that can be assessed, refined and shared with professors in that field. It is challenging enough to get a group of like-minded teachers to work on improving their teaching. To insist there is a single "signature pedagogy" for the whole university is to undermine meaningful change for it would leave many professors feeling that their best teaching experiences have been ignored. The same can be said for the noble aspiration that social justice becomes a hallmark of the Brandeis experience for all students. Is there a single definition of "social justice" that students from many different backgrounds and persuasions can embrace? Has anyone worked past the slogan of "social justice" to examine how to involve students in a meaningful examining of their ethical values? Has Brandeis created sufficient learning contexts in which students can openly and safely explore their ethical values without worrying that they have to be in line with the views of the majority? The International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life has taken important steps in this direction, but much more would need to be done to effectively make social justice (or any moral virtue) the hallmark of the Brandeis experience. We are a university with a rich tradition of exploring the great articulations of human virtues. That includes the classical religious as well as modern secular traditions of both the East and West. An inspiring vision for Brandeis would need to connect the academic exploration of these traditions with the aspirations of our students to learn how to become effective agents for change in the globalized world they will soon be entering. * Joseph Reimer is an Associate Professor of Jewish Education in the Education Program and the Hornstein Program for Jewish Professional Leadership.
(10/16/12 4:00am)
The much-anticipated preliminary framework for the University's strategic plan was released on Wednesday in an email to the Brandeis community from Provost Steve Goldstein '78. The document is another step closer to the culmination of a process that began in September of last year as University President Frederick Lawrence began his first full year in office. According to Goldstein's email, "The framework seeks to ensure that Brandeis University remains a clear first choice for exceptional students, faculty, and staff committed to making a difference in the world." This framework will be presented to the Board of Trustees at its meeting at the end of October, and after that meeting a final plan will be produced, to be approved by the Board in January. The 14-page document discusses strategic directions for five categories: academic experience, discovery enterprise, community, campus and technology and stewardship. Goldstein wrote in his email to the community that the plan recognizes a full realization of the "Brandeis model." This model, he said, "is a learning experience in the finest liberal arts tradition." Goldstein explained that it involves education in critical thinking, as well as discovery that "can be offered only by a small, research-intensive university at the leading edge of innovation." The next step in moving toward the final plan is six feedback sessions, which are a chance for the community to share their opinions on the plan with the administration and others who have been in charge of drafting the framework. Those sessions started last Thursday and will finish tomorrow, with a discussion at 3 p.m. in the Levin Ballroom. Professors also had a chance to give feedback at the faculty meeting on Thursday, where Lawrence and Goldstein introduced the framework and led a discussion. While responses fluctuated between praise and criticism, the majority of the assembled faculty who spoke were critical of the plan's generality and lack of specific direction. One faculty member called the framework a "vision on a hill" with "little substance." Another said it was "desperately uninspiring," and a third expressed her "disappointment and dismay" at the content of the framework. Academically, the framework highlights potential new initiatives such as biomedicine and global health, engineering, integrated arts, legal and ethical studies, and a world issues forum. The framework also states the goal of making education personal and flexible, by providing a range of opportunities and mentorship. At a feedback session on Friday, Prof. Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow (CLAS) said that she was worried about the repeated mentions of "programs" and the lack of mentions of "departments," wondering whether this kind of emphasis would reduce the power and autonomy of departments. In terms of the University community, the framework focuses on celebrating the undeniable "distinctiveness" of Brandeis, as well as extending the University's global reach through alumni and other networks. The plan also considers the need to enhance the campus and technology used by the University, making a commitment to "create campus spaces and facilities that enable and inspire" as well as making use of the innovative technology available for students, faculty and the global community. Jason Bernard, the assistant director of Academic Technology for the International Business School, said at one of the feedback sessions that he wanted to see more of a focus on embracing the future of technology and doing business. Finally, the framework emphasizes the need for financial strength, with an aim to invest in excellent programs, commit to financial stability and "build a strong, multifaceted community of individuals and institutions who actively support and invest in the future of Brandeis." According to Goldstein, in an interview with the Justice last month, the framework is a work in progress and should not even be considered a draft of the final plan. "[It's] something we can ... interrogate, push against, respond to and ultimately decorate, fill out into the plan," he said. "By December, the plan will be in draft form ... and by January the Board of Trustees should be able to give us the green light to move ahead." Student Union President Todd Kirkland '13 said in an interview with the Justice that there will be an announcement soon about a more student-exclusive feedback session, which will be held in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium either next Wednesday or the week after and will be moderated by Kirkland and Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel. Some professors at the faculty meeting expressed a wish to see copies of the individual reports of the task forces involved, so as to gain some understanding of the process and of the specific ideas which were not expressed in the framework itself. Lawrence said that he and Goldstein would consider releasing the reports earlier than originally planned. Goldstein and Lawrence also defended the framework, explaining that in a strategic plan, it is important to express "strategic" ideas rather than "tactical" ones, saying that the release of specific tactical plans would cause people to get mired in extraneous debate about the details. Kirkland, who is on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, said that he understands some of the criticisms given by faculty, but thinks that overall "it's a good framework to start the conversation." Flagel agreed, saying that "The framework seems to be engendering the exact kind of discussion we want at this point." "The framework is meant to be another stage of iterative discussion and feedback," said Goldstein in last month's interview. "It will evolve, it will reflect all that feedback." At the end of the faculty meeting discussion, Lawrence made a promise to the gathered faculty: "What comes out in January will be inspiring." -Andrew Wingens and Robyn Spector contributed reporting.
(10/16/12 4:00am)
Widely considered to be one of the most notable contributions to musical theater, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods made its Brandeis debut last Thursday. Produced by the Free Play Theater Cooperative and directed by Jessie Field '13, the seemingly lighthearted production focuses on beloved childhood fairy tales, but brings to light the twisted fate that follows the "happily ever after." The musical begins with the story of the baker's wife (Jaime Perutz '13) and the baker, who are cursed to remain childless by an evil witch. In their journey to seek an end to their wicked curse, they cross paths with the spirited Cinderella (Sarah Hines '15), na??ve Rapunzel (Alison Thvedt '15), fearful Jack of the Beanstalk (Jeffrey Lowenstein '15) and the charmingly innocent Little Red Riding Hood (Aliza Sotsky '15) who learns a lesson about strangers from the cunning Wolf (Zach Smith '15). The production is adorned with numerous other characters as well. Ultimately, the colorful cast comes together to slay the vengeful Giantess after nearly three hours of song. The storyteller, Ross Johnston '14, enthusiastically narrates the tale throughout the production. Perhaps taken all too literally, the production took place in Sachar Woods rather than the familiar Spingold Theater. Nestled in Sachar Woods behind the International Business School, the risky staging choice brought a sense of intimacy to the show. The audience members sat in the forest along with the cast and the orchestra pit, which managed to collectively voice the Giantess while donning scarves, hats and even snuggies. The Giantess is the common enemy that the entire cast unites against, but is never shown throughout the show. This innovative production decision relied almost entirely on the woods themselves, but was supplemented by a small stage and tower, which was a platform placed on two tree trunks. This addition to the set proved to be all that was necessary and allowed the animated cast members to easily move throughout the stage. Although only small additions were added in terms of production, the large cast of Into the Woods captivated and warmed up their audience, while they themselves assuredly fought off shivers. Hines added another dimension to the classic fairytale princess. Her pitch-perfect harmonies and strong acting created a dynamic and interesting character far beyond a traditional Cinderella. Similarly, Sotsky as Little Red Riding Hood perfectly exemplified the very real consequences that going into the woods entail. She created a complex character that is endearing in her youth but burdened by hardship, which contrasted well with the sinister Fox played by Smith. While attempting to allure Little Red Riding Hood, Smith flawlessly balanced humor with guile. The Baker's Wife was incredible in her role and served as strong foundation for the show in terms of both acting and singing. Though having the production outside certainly had its advantages, it was as a double-edged sword responsible for numerous issues in sound and lighting. Sound throughout the show was regretfully unreliable and at times many of the softer voices were entirely inaudible. When large groups were singing together, some of the stronger voices seemed to have entirely swallowed those not quite as powerful. Lighting for the entire production came from a single source behind the audience and left much to be desired. Seating was also limited to a single tarp and narrow standing space behind the lighting. This limitation was unwelcoming to latecomers, many of whom left because they didn't want to stand throughout the show. Yes, Into the Woods assuredly possessed some flaws in production, but all of which were no more than logistical fallouts. The production showcased some of the trademark theatrical talent on campus and was obviously well-rehearsed and planned. The setting did bring with it a touch of fantasy, but would have been much more pleasant had it been matched with a warmer temperature. In spite of this, the communal immersion did bring the audience together, as did the performance of the orchestra pit. Directed by Alex Faye '15, the orchestra livened up the show and significantly added to the fairy-tale setting. All in all, Into the Woods was a very intimate story, telling the tale of what it means to be happy, in our world and in theirs. Possessing the striking juxtaposition of both childhood na??vet?(c) and adulthood tragedy, Into the Woods is compelling in its humanity. It questions ideas about consequence and responsibility and redefines childhood fables. An innovative story to its core, the actors carry on Sondheim's tradition with their similarly inspiring talent.
(10/08/12 4:00am)
The 2012 major league baseball season has been quite the roller-coaster ride. The Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics stunned the league to qualify for the playoffs. Journeyman knuckleballer R.A. Dickey notched 20 wins and looks to be a front-runner for the Cy Young Award, while Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim center fielder Mike Trout wrapped up the best offensive season for a rookie in major league history. The 2012 season offered many surprises, but the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award should be clear-cut decisions. The Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera should be American League MVP - and by a unanimous margin. Cabrera, who led the American league with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 runs batted in, earned the first Triple Crown since Boston Red Sox leftfielder Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. Many can make the case, though, that phenom outfielder Trout, the first rookie ever to hit 25 home runs and steal 40 bases, is the league's MVP. Some baseball fans and voters favor the use of sabermetrics, statistics that are more mathematical and analytical such as Wins Above Replacement and on-base percentage, over more concrete figures such as stolen bases, hits, and runs. Cabrera was the third baseman that flourished in August and September while carrying his team to a triumph over the fading Chicago White Sox. Trout, on the other hand, ultimately failed to lead his team into the playoffs. He may win Rookie of the Year, but in light of this year's monumental Triple Crown finish, Cabrera will likely win MVP. The San Francisco Giants' catcher Buster Posey should win the MVP for the National League, especially in regard to the collapse of the Pittsburgh Pirates and center fielder Andrew McCutchen's playoff hopes. Posey earned the National League's batting title with a formidable .336 batting average. The catcher also hit 24 home runs, drove in 103 runs, and led the league with 38 put-outs. Posey would be the first National League catcher to win the award since the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Bench in 1972. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs, will muster votes, but Posey should gain the edge in voting. It is time, though, to look at the Cy Young Award. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price, leading the American League with 20 wins, a 2.56 ERA and 25 quality starts for the Rays, figures to be a prominent candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. The Tigers' Justin Verlander and the White Sox' Chris Sale will also receive votes but the most intriguing candidate is Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney. He notched 48 saves and a pristine 0.60 ERA, figures that certainly merit consideration for the top award. Ultimately, though, Price' unparalleled numbers will lead to a Cy Young victory. Last, but certainly not least, the National League Cy Young award will be handed to the New York Mets' R.A Dickey - not just for the story, but for the statistics as well. Dickey finished second in the National League with 20 wins, a 1.05 walks plus hits per inning pitched, 2.73 ERA and a league-leading 230 strikeouts. It is also important to note, that with a uncontrollable knuckleball which baffled hitters throughout the league, Dickey only walked 54 batters. He also pitched back-to-back one-hitters during interleague play this year, a feat that has not been matched by any other pitcher. The knuckleballer had 27 quality starts this year and pitched five complete games, three of which were shutouts. The Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels and Reds' Johnny Cueto will all compete for the top prize but Dickey stands out in this category. The regular season concluded in a photo finish, but the award season should not offer too many surprises as November approaches.
(09/25/12 4:00am)
Last Wednesday, the Women's Studies Research Center held a closing ceremony for its exhibition titled "Convergence: 10 Years of Artistic Excellence at the WSRC." The exhibit featured artwork from the past 10 years by affiliates of the WSRC, including past WSRC scholars, staff and board members. The curator and jury of the exhibit, Michele L'Heureux, facilitated the selection of artwork. L'Heureux reached out to affiliates of the WSRC and received submissions from over 90 scholars. A variety of works, ranging from oil paintings and photographs to sculptures and handicrafts, were selected by two faculty members in the Fine Arts department. "This is an interesting moment," the WSRC Director Shulamit Reinharz said to Emily Corbat?? about her photograph during the closing ceremony. The picture, taken in traditional black and white, shows a woman walking by several men. The men are standing on the corner, watching the girl passing by, not whistling. Corbat?? noticed this scene when she was with her camera, trying to catch some filmographies. "She caught my attention ... She's different. She looks confident, with emboldened spirit," explained Corbat??. She believed that the girls in her photographs are "glorious women" who are "comfortable within themselves and not afraid to be 'out there.'" Corbat?? focuses on women in her photographs who are strong, powerful and sometimes humorous. Another photographer, Karin Rosenthal, was interested in photographing nudes because of her fascination with tide pools. She believed that there is something about tide pools that made her contemplate human existence and the cycle of life. In one of her images presented in the show, the models, a stone, a shell and a feather, were lit by the sun. Rosenthal wrote in the introduction of her book about her works, "I used my camera to push vision to the unseen ... A reflected nude results in multiple bodies seen from different angles tucked into shells, wrapped around edges, morphing into a dolphin. Disruptions of the surface tension create numerous mirrors as shells and seaweed breaks the water, reflecting and distorting the body reflection in different ways simultaneously." The buyer of this photograph was also at the closing ceremony. While listening to Rosenthal explain her works to others, she explained in an interview with the Justice that the reason she and her husband decided to buy this image was that she likes "the movement of inviting me into the unknown ... I really enjoyed it. I keep looking at it and keep seeing different textures." Art in the Convergence exhibition clearly demonstrates the tagline of WSRC: where research, art and activism converge. Artists have shown their efforts for campaigning for women's rights in their works: Mary Oestereicher created a book called More Pawns, showing that women could do the jobs that men could do in medieval Europe. Susan Eisenberg took a picture of two women who were holding a slogan of "stop gender harassment" during a parade. Overall, "Convergence" is a great exhibition. The art works not only showed the diversity and creativity of WSRC scholars, but they were creative, provocative pieces in their own right.
(09/25/12 4:00am)
The Crown family of Chicago, prominent benefactors of the University, presented the school with a major donation of an undisclosed amount last week. This money will go toward solidifying a permanent place on campus for the Crown Center for Middle East Studies, including possible renovations to Schwartz Hall, as well as creating three new endowed faculty chairs.
(09/03/12 4:00am)
The women's cross-country team, ranked No. 10 in the New England region, bolted to a strong start in its first meet of the 2012 season, notching a 34-25 win against the University of Southern Maine last Friday at Weston High School. The Judges boasted seven of the top 10 finishers in the race, edging out the Huskies by nine points. While USM junior Molly Carl won the race in 17 minutes, 51 seconds, Victoria Sanford '14 and Ali Kirsch '14 were not far behind, both crossing the finish line in 18:06 to take second and third place, respectively. While USM junior Morgan Beede finished fourth at 18:15, junior Hannah Wiley placed sixth with a time of 18:36, the Judges took care of business by securing five of the six other top 10 finishes. Erin Bisceglia '12, MA '13 rounded out the top five with a time of 18:25, and Kristi Pisarik '15 followed in seventh place with 19:10. Kelsey Whitaker '16, Molly Paris '16 and Maggie Hensel '16 shined in their collegiate debuts with three top 10 finishes with a time of 19:31. Nora Owens '16 and Rachel Keller '16 also performed well in their first meet, notching 17th -and 18th- place finishes, respectively. Owens clocked in at 19:48, while Keller completed the race in 20:01. The squad next competes at the Shriner's Invitational at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Sept. 15.
(05/22/12 4:00am)
I had never been to a drag show before I walked into the Levin Ballroom on May 1. I knew little of what to expect other than what I'd gathered from movies and about one and a half episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race. So when I sat down to watch Triskelion's Annual Drag Show, I wasn't exactly sure what I was about to see.
(05/19/12 4:00am)
Who said soccer couldn't be exciting? One would be wise to give the sport a second look after the action in England on Sunday, May 13. The Premier League final marked one of the biggest days in the history of soccer. Manchester City roared back from a 2-1 deficit against Queens Park Rangers to win 3-2 and deny Manchester United its third title in four years. "I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again," said Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler. "This is the greatest Premier League season ever," said ESPN commentator Ian Darke. Since both teams finished with identical totals of 89 points, this season was significant for a variety of reasons. United started the season in unassailable fashion, winning its first five games with a score of 18-5. City, though, stormed back to take a five-point advantage at the end of November, picking up a 6-1 romp at United's Old Trafford Stadium in the process. Undeterred, United took an eight-point lead with six games to go. United has a history for finishing the season strong, so City had been all but written off. Yet, there were more twists to come. On April 11, United lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic. After winning 4-0 against Aston Villa, the Red Devils drew against Everton, losing a two-goal advantage with seven minutes left. City, meanwhile, won its games against Norwich and West Bromwich Albion, bringing the difference down to three points. Then, on April 30, City and United played in a rematch. This time, City did not disappoint, winning 1-0. Breaking even in points, City's eight-goal edge put them in prime position. Having won their games against Newcastle United and Swansea City the previous weekend, City and United kicked off home against QPR and at Sunderland, respectively, at 3 G.M.T. last Sunday. With QPR languishing in 17th place and having the worst away record in the Premier League, City - who won 17 out of 18 games at home this season - looked to have an easy task. If United didn't win at Sunderland by nine goals, a City win would seal the title. And when City took the lead through left-back Pablo Zabaleta's goal, it looked as if they had it won. However, QPR equalized with a goal from striker Djibril Cisse, having earlier taken a lead on striker Jamie Mackie's header in the 65th minute. In just under 20 minutes, City had seemingly lost the title. A two-goal comeback looked impossible. Meanwhile, 140 miles away at the Stadium of Light, United fans, whose 1-0 victory against Sunderland had just concluded, were celebrating that City was down 2-1 in stoppage time. They also figured a rally was not in the cards for Man City. They were wrong. City forward Edin Dzeko headed in the equalizer with 91:05 gone in the game. Having run the ball back to the center circle to kick off again, City regained possession and stormed into the penalty area. Sergio Aguero played a clever one-two with Mario Balotelli before smashing a near-post strike past QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. The strike sent the Ethiad Stadium into absolute bedlam. Television cameras broadcasting the game shook. Fans had been sobbing moments before, thinking their team had fallen at the final hurdle. At the final whistle though, they were crying tears of joy. Meanwhile, United fans, who thought they had won the title, endured the opposite fate. Upon hearing the news, the fans - as well as the United camp - went silent, stunned at what happened. A blue moon rose over Manchester on Sunday night. Yet, the Red Devils will seek revenge next season. For now, though, City fans will celebrate. Either way, even a neutral party would argue that this season-and Sunday-were perhaps the most incredible day and year in Premier League history. *
(05/19/12 4:00am)
Starting pitcher Caroline Miller '12 walked to the mound for the last time of her collegiate career on May 13 to cement her legacy. She had already done the impossible. Relegated to the consolation bracket after a loss to Endicott College, Miller led the No. 1 ranked Judges to two consecutive wins that day, including a decisive victory over the Endicott Gulls, to advance to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference title match. However, to win the title - their second in school history - Brandeis would once again have to best Endicott. The difference: Brandeis sent out Miller for her third start of the day. Unfortunately, the third time was not the charm. Miller surrendered two early runs in the first inning and the Judges could not recover, eventually falling 7-6 to claim second-place honors. Miller noted she was honored that her coaches chose to stick with her as the starting pitcher until the very end of the tournament. "The fact that my coaches and team had enough confidence in me to push through the demands of the day means more to me than words can describe," she said. Miller was disappointed to lose the final game of her collegiate career but also stated that she was proud to have had such a rewarding career. "I am incredibly proud of the fight my team put up and could not have asked to end my career with a better group of girls, win or loss." While Endicott cruised to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning, the Brandeis seniors would not surrender that easily. Shortstop Brittany Grimm '12 launched a ground-rule double that landed in the right-field seats with two runners on-base to cut the edge to two runs. After the Gulls notched another run in the fifth inning, Grimm saved the game for Brandeis once again, sending an RBI single to left-center field. After exchanging two runs each in the next inning, relief pitcher Melissa Nolan '14 sent an RBI single to center field to cut the lead to one run. The light was at the end of the tunnel - but it was not close enough. Endicott held on for the 7-6 lead and the ECAC championship. However, just a few hours before, the Judges looked like a different squad, cruising by the Gulls in a 5-1 victory. First baseman Marianne Specker '12 and outfielder Lauren Porcaro '12 launched RBI singles to break the game open. After a few key errors, from the Endicott infield, Brandeis pulled away for the win. Miller sealed one of the most memorable wins of her career in the Judges' first game against Simmons College when she struck out 11 batters in a 3-1 win. Brandeis jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning after an RBI single from third baseman Anya Kamber '15. Second baseman Leah McWilliams '14 bolted home on a groundout from Specker to add some insurance runs in the sixth inning. Porcaro also sent an RBI single into right field to extend the lead to 3-0. On May 12, Endicott pulled off the upset of the weekend. The Judges looked to cruise into the finals as the top seed in the tournament, but the Gulls blasted four home runs en route to a 6-1 victory. While Miller conceded two runs in the first inning, the Judges cut the lead to one run on a sacrifice fly from Grimm. The RBI marked the 100th of her career. From there, Miller looked lost. She surrendered another three home runs to put the game, and the championship, seemingly out of reach for the Brandeis women. The Judges kicked off the tournament with two decisive victories In the first game of last Saturday's doubleheader, the Judges would start off the scoring with an RBI single from Porcaro. After struggling to break through in the second and third innings, Brandeis earned four runs in the fifth inning. However, the scoring came from a lack of control. The Judges benefited from three walks with the bases loaded. Heading into the top of the seventh inning, Brandeis held a comfortable 7-1 lead. However, things got shaky for Nolan, as she surrendered four runs in the frame before eventually pulling through with the victory. The Judges started off the weeklong event with a 7-1 blowout of Daniel Webster College. Miller shined again, fanning 11 batters and surrendering only three hits in seven innings. Miller and left-fielder Megan DeNubila '12 launched RBI doubles to put the Judges on the scoreboard in the first inning. DeNubila, Grimm and Porcaro all contributed to the win with RBI singles. Miller stated that the No. 1 seed posed demanding challenges for the team, but yet, she was impressed by the squad's perseverance throughout the tournament. "Being the No.1 seed means everyone is coming for you," she said. "The team put ourselves at the top from the beginning, and while we had a rough outing Saturday afternoon, we came back stronger then ever Sunday and pushed through a demanding 21 innings." *
(04/24/12 4:00am)
Scientists are not entirely sure of the evolutionary purpose of the female orgasm. It may be a physical fluke, created because all fetuses start with the same building blocks, regardless of gender, and therefore men and women end up with some of the same bodily abilities. Or, perhaps, female orgasms serve an evolutionary function: some scholars argue that female orgasms help keep sperm inside the woman and even propel it upwards towards the ovaries. Sexy. The characters in Brandeis Players' In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play, which ran Thursday through Sunday in the Carl J. Shapiro Theater, don't quite think in terms of evolutionary purpose, however. The play takes place shortly after the Civil War in the home of a doctor who specializes in curing "hysteria"-a uniquely female catch-all condition used to explain as diverse symptoms as fainting spells, weakness, sensitivity to light and insomnia. The cure? Pelvic massage. Due to the recent innovation of electrical wiring in private homes, doctors can now masturbate their female patients into good health. Of course, the character Dr. Givings (Aaron Fischer '15) sees nothing sexual in this therapy. He chats quite amiably with his patients as he manipulates "the instrument" under a sheet, asking them to describe their experience and practically patting them on the head afterwards, rewarding them for a job well done. At first, Dr. Givings' wife, Catherine (Leila Stricker '13) is blissfully unaware of the mechanics of her husband's practice, noting only how his patients seem to rapidly improve after several daily sessions. Catherine's growing sense of detachment from her husband is the undercurrent running throughout In the Next Room. She was once proud to refer to Dr. Givings as an aloof "scientist," grinning as she pronounced the word to Sabrina-a patient-and her husband Mr. Daldry (Nicole Carlson '14 and Ben Gold '13, respectively). As the play progresses, however, the audience comes to know Catherine's feelings of loneliness and uselessness, which are spurred by her inability to provide milk for her newborn. Stricker was a wonder as Catherine. She deftly juggled her character's swift changes in mood, skillfully morphing from the flighty chatterbox of the first act to an introspective, demanding woman in the second. For a less-skilled actress, the role could have been trite or simply comedic. Stricker, however, demonstrated a young woman's confusion and dawning realization that life is not all she hoped it'd be with touching emotion. As Sabrina, Catherine's accomplice in uncovering the mysteries of hysterical paroxysm-a.k.a. orgasm-Carlson was another delight. Upon her first entrance into the Givings' home, Sabrina is covered in layers of dramatic dress, thick velvet draping her tiny frame and a large hat and veil perched upon her head like the top of an acorn. Executive costume designer Shana Burstyn '12 and costume designer Grace Fosler '14 did a magnificent job with the period costumes, particularly as dressing and undressing are such important tropes in the play. As In the Next Room progresses, Sabrina's hysteria dissipates along with her cloak and concealing veil, revealing an easy giggle and willingness to participate in Catherine's schemes. Using Sabrina's hatpin, the women break into Dr. Giving's operating theater, a chamber off the Givings' living room. Catherine coaxes her friend into operating the vibrator on her. Thus, a female bond is born by way of orgasm. The dissonance between what modern audiences know to be naughty and the utter seriousness with which the characters conduct their "therapy" gives In the Next Room its comedic edge. However, this is a joke that, at times, grows stale. Watching Dr. Givings or his efficient nurse Annie (Chastity DeLorme '14) bring unsuspecting women to orgasm is funny the first time. Watching it again and again becomes overkill, particularly as the play runs a lengthy two and a half hours. I wondered how the men in the audience viewed these scenes (and the play in general). Men invariably have a different attitude toward orgasm, a pleasure most can achieve even before puberty without the use of forbidden toys or a Barry White CD. In the Next Room, by playwright Sarah Ruhl, could only have been written by a woman. And a deft, affecting performance such as the one I saw on Saturday night could only have been directed by a woman-in this case, Tess Suchoff '13. Though In the Next Room takes place in the 1880s, when the vibrator was first invented, women are often still discouraged from taking control over their own bodies and pleasure today. The play comes to a close in a tender, dramatic scene between Catherine and Dr. Givings. Inspired by her wet nurse Elizabeth (Sneha Walia '15) and a brief infatuation with a rare male patient (Julian Seltzer '15), Catherine becomes determined to reconnect, sexually and emotionally, with her husband. Echoing an earlier point in their relationship in which Catherine recalls writing her name in the snow as a gift to her husband, the pair wander out to their garden on a snowy winter night. Catherine gently commands Dr. Givings to undress, discovering her husband visually for the first time. They make love in the snow, and Catherine experiences her first orgasm from her husband. The scene was beautifully arranged. Executive lighting designer Carolyn Daitch '14 and lighting designers Jessica Podhorcer '15 and Ian Carroll '15 bathed the stage in small flickering lights. Catherine and Dr. Givings stand nearly bare before lying on the ground. I've seen nudity and simulated sex in theater before. But, perhaps because the play was not a glossy professional theater production, or because Ruhl's dialogue turned so raw and needing, I was more emotionally stirred by this scene than I have been by similar spectacles. In the Next Room's conclusion shined a light on the play's true theme beyond its sexual highjinks: forming true connections. Maya Riser-Kositsky, contributed reporting.
(04/24/12 4:00am)
Profs. Timothy Hickey '77 (COSI), Irina Dubinina (GRALL), Christine Thomas (CHEM) and Wendy Cadge (SOC) received four different awards for teaching and mentoring, which were presented at last Thursday's faculty meeting.
(04/23/12 4:00am)
While the season is officially over for the men's and women's basketball teams, the Red Auerbach Arena court was used one final time for basketball. Hoops for Haiti-in its third year-showcased a dramatic 43-42 overtime victory for the staff team, including Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer, Associate Dean Maggie Balch, and Associate Dean Jamele Adams. While the outcome was a disappointment for the students, who sought to extend their winning streak over the staff, it did nothing to dampen their spirits. "Remember the words of legendary coach, John Wooden, though: 'Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character'," wrote Amanda Dryer '13, vice president of Hoops for Haiti in an email to the Justice. "Don't worry - we [the students] will be ready to go next year. " Following the devastating earthquake of 2010, which left many Haitians homeless and took thousands of lives, a group of Brandeis students banded together to make an impact. Though eyes elsewhere have slowly drifted away from the impact of the tragedy, Hoops for Haiti continues to support Haitians' efforts toward recovery. "The earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010 gained the attention of the world, but slowly it has faded away," according to an excerpt from the Hoops for Haiti mission statement. "We stand together: through our work, Haiti and its people will not be forgotten. But we can build a foundation for a community that cares about its fellow human beings -a community devoted to researching and solving both the immediate and long-term causes of poverty and injustice in Haiti." While staff member Fred George enjoyed playing in the game, he echoed Dryer's sentiments. "That game was awesome," said George, who played for the staff team for the first half before humorously announcing the second half. "When the earthquakes first happened in Haiti, everyone wanted to donate things, but people slowly forgot about it. There are still a lot of people suffering there. If this is my part that I can do to help out, then I'm happy to." Though the student lineup featured a star-studded cast, including varsity basketball players Vytas Kriskus '12, Youri Dascy '12, Ben Bartoldus '14 and Derek Retos '14, the staff boasted a strong team as well. While some would have given the students the edge given their youth, the staff ultimately took a 22-21 lead into the end of the first half. The second half proved to be more of the same. After the staff established a late five-point lead, the students clawed their way back to tie the game up with little time left. Despite a strong effort at the buzzer, the staff could not win the game in regulation. It took an overtime period to decide this battle. Adams would ultimately seal the game for the staff. With seconds remaining in overtime and the score still deadlocked at 42, Adams was fouled and awarded two free throws. Though he missed the first one, Adams left no doubt with his second, clinching the win for the staff team. Dryer was extremely pleased with the turnout, stating that the enthusiasm and money raised for the event reflected the central purpose of the Hoops for Haiti event. "It contributes to the Brandeis community at-large because it brings the staff and students together for an important cause," she wrote. "PJ Dickson from [the Department of] Academic Services, Cary Weir Lytle '98 from Hiatt [Career Center], and Stephanie Grimes from [the Department of] Student Activities understand that this event brings "unity". They have been exceptionally helpful in helping [BHI President]Jon [Ostrowsky '13] and myself keep this event going." While she was very satisfied with the reception for the event, Dryer encourages those who are interested to join the Brandeis Haiti Initiative to contribute to enjoyable events such as Hoops for Haiti that can make a lasting impact for those in need.
(04/03/12 4:00am)
Dr. Tim Johnson, an ABC News medical correspondent, spoke to students Thursday about his new book, The Truth About Getting Sick in America, and the issues involved in the United States' current healthcare situation. The event was sponsored by the Health: Science, Society and Policy department and was held in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall. Johnson, a graduate of Albany Medical College, who also has a degree in public health from Harvard University, "is one of the nation's leading medical communicators in healthcare information" according to Danielle Sackstein '14, who organized the event. Johnson, who has interviewed many notable people, including President Barack Obama, explained that through the presentation, he wanted to "reach out to the general public, in terms of thinking about health care reform in a way that might open their eyes to issues that they hadn't thought about in a particular way before." The presentation was organized in the same way as his book, with sections labeled "The Big Question", "The Big Problem," "The Big Fear," "The Big Sermon" and "The Big Prediction," and was accompanied by a PowerPoint. In the first section of his presentation, entitled "The Big Question," Johnson proposed the question of why the United States spends twice as much per person for health care than do all other industrialized countries, yet is the only industrialized country that does not provide basic health care for all of its citizens. This question, he said, "should absolutely haunt us." Johnson noted that although the United States spends more per person, it does not have any better treatment results than other countries. He went on to compare five-year cancer survival rates from the United States and Canada, which showed that the two countries had about the same rates, to support his claim that U.S. extra expenditures are unjustifiable. In the next part of his presentation, "The Big Problem," Johnson asserted that the most important cause the United States' "out of control health care costs...[is] the unrealistic expectations that we all have" as healthcare consumers. He said these expectations include convenient, compassionate, communicative, coordinated, cutting-edge and cheap or cost-free care. Johnson also went on to say that paying doctors, hospitals and drug and device companies more for providing more services, instead of paying them based on results, is responsible for driving up health care costs exponentially. When beginning the portion of his presentation called "The Big Fear," Johnson stated that the fear is that the federal government will relegate the creation of medical care safety standards to states. Johnson said leaving the development of these standards to states would leave citizens to worry about the care they are receiving when they travel to other states, and added that this fear is especially relevant because of the Supreme Court discussions on health care that took place this week. Johnson, a former minister, included a section named "The Big Sermon" that utilized the "Parable of the Good Samaritan" from the New Testament to illustrate his point that medical service should be based on need and not the possession of insurance. Finally, his "Big Prediction" section introduced his forecast that "no [developed] country including the United States will be able to pay for everything for everyone at every age that modern medical science might [produce]." Jonathan Steinberg '13, who attended the event, said that he thought it was "extremely eye-opening and put forth the ideas really simply, which is good for a lot of people to hear because everything gets muddled by the media and politics, and it is good to hear it from a good source who knows how to present it in the right way."
