Category: Alumni

K Alumnus’ Sculpture Part of International ArtPrize

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"Binary Strip" by Daedalian Derks is part of ArtPrize 2012
“Binary Strip” by Daedalian Derks ’12 is part of ArtPrize 2012

After graduating from Kalamazoo College in June with a studio art major and classical civilizations minor, sculptor Daedalian Derks ’12 spent the summer rebuilding and expanding a portion of his Senior Individualized Project for installation in downtown Grand Rapids as a competitor in the international art competition ArtPrize 2012.

The sculpture is called the “Binary Strip,” and is a kinetic installation made from stainless steel aircraft cable and lightweight aluminum panels. The panels harness the power of the wind on the bank of the Grand River and spin, changing from black to white and back again.

ArtPrize is the only art competition in which the grand prize winner is chosen solely by public vote. With more 1500 artists involved in the competition this year representing some 50 countries and almost every state in the U.S., support from Daedalian’s alma mater is critical. To be eligible to vote, one must register at an Exhibition Center in Grand Rapids. Once one is registered, voting is easy and can be done through texting, online, or with a smartphone app. The app can be found at the ArtPrize Web site and voting can be done at the site.

The competition begins September 19 and ends on October 7. The Binary Strip is installed on the Grand Rapids Public Museum (see photo), just north of the Blue Bridge walking bridge. The Museum is also an exhibition center, so viewers can both register to vote and see “Binary Strip” in one place. The “Binary Strip” voting number is 52874.

Nancy Stevens ’83 Reaches New Summits

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After graduating from Kalamazoo College in 1983, Nancy Stevens moved to Colorado to work at a Girl Scout camp. Soon she began hiking “Fourteeners,” Colorado’s numerous 14,000-foot mountains. Her first was Long’s Peak. Her most recent is Grand Teton. Impressive? Yes, especially considering that Nancy has been almost completely blind since birth. Read about this K alumna with “contagious positive energy,” in an Aug. 29 article in the Jackson Hole News & Guide. Keep climbing, Nancy!

K Connection Spans 30 Years in Internship

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Cassandra Fraser and Michael Paule-CarresCassandra Fraser, Class of 1984, is a chemistry professor at the University of Virginia. This summer she hosted Michael Paule-Carres, Class of 2014, in her laboratory, where he did research for his Senior Individualized Project. “It was kind of scary to contemplate that 30 year gap!” wrote Fraser, who had a good antidote for any mild “gap fear.” The formula included the excellence of the lab work Paule-Carres conducted. “He synthesized and characterized a luminescent polymer that will be used to make oxygen nanosensors for wound diagnostics, tumor hypoxia imaging, and other medical uses,” Fraser explained. And for extra measure, a few funny photos were added. “We took some research group pictures, including some of Mike (right) and me together, the Kalamazoo College chemists. We even attempted to make K’s with our bodies, not so successfully mind you, but maybe it’s the thought that counts.” Mike has returned to campus for the beginning of men’s varsity soccer practice.

 

K Alumna Lends Flute Virtuosity to Art Project

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Marian Heller ’84 is involved with an art project called “Kokopelli Rising,” part of the Burning Man annual art event that will take place August 27 through September 3 in Black Rock City, Nevada. Marian informed the artists about Katherine Hoover’s flute composition “Kokopelli,” (played by Marian in a live performance). Marian will record the piece for the artists to play on site at the art installation in Nevada. And she will attend as well.

Alum Keith Crandall Hired to Direct Computational Biology Institute at George Washington University

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Keith Crandall ’87 has been hired by George Washington University to direct its new Computational Biology Institute.

Computational biology combines elements of computer science and biology, and its practitioners develop tools to analyze data generated in researching genetics and genomics, including genetic mapping and DNA sequencing.

Crandall’s research interests have included crustacean biology, biodiversity, and infectious diseases. His B.A. from Kalamazoo College is in biology. At Washington University in St. Louis he earned a Ph.D.in population and evolutionary biology and a master’s degree in statistics. His work at CBI will include an investigation of the impact of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, using gene expression to identify how oil pollutants affect deep sea crustaceans.

Smokin’ Poets

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Thanks, in part, to Kim Grabowski ’12, the Spring issue of the on-line magazine, The Smoking Poet, features a strong K connection. Grabowski was an intern at the magazine and helped compile an issue that features the work of Writer-in-Residence Diane Seuss ’78 as well as current students and alumni.

The alums include Kit Almy ’89, Lauren Moran ’11, Katie Prout ’09, and John Craig ’11. Current students with poems published in the issue are Nick Canu ’12, Cam Stewart ’12, Rebecca Staudemaier ’12, Kate Belew ’15, and Jasmine An ’15. Maggie Jackson ’11 and Amy Newday had nonfiction published in the magazine.  Newday coordinates the College’s Writing Center. And Grabowski’s interview with Michigan poet Laura Kasischke appears as well. Kasischke recently won the Rilke Prize, and she will read works from her new collection, Space, In Chains, on campus this April 16. Chief Editor for The Smoking Poet is Zinta Aistars, who worked for Kalamazoo College for many years.

Goodlander to Perform Traditional Balinese Shadow Puppet Performance

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Jennifer Goodlander ’97 will perform a traditional Balinese wayang kulit, or shadow puppet performance, Thursday May 17, 5pm, Dungeon Theatre, Light Fine Arts Building. Admission is free and open to the public.

Wayang kulit is an ancient Indonesian art of shadow puppet theatre that combines ritual, lesson, and entertainment. Goodlander manipulates (and gives voice to) intricately carved and hand-painted puppets, each a unique character with a specific role in a given story.

Many of her puppets were created for her by I Wayang Tunjung, the dalang, or puppet master, in Indonesia with whom she has studied extensively. Goodlander recently joined the faculty at Indiana University as an assistant professor of theatre. During her visit to K, she will meet with students in Professor of Theatre Arts Ed Menta’s Asian Theatre Class.

Alum is Finalist in Japanese Language Speech Contest

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Kristen Bergh ’09
Kristen Bergh ’09

Kristen Bergh ’09 is the second Kalamazoo College student to become a finalist in the Michigan Japanese Language Speech Contest. The contest has occurred for the past 16 years; Bergh delivered her speech, “Japanization,” on March 31 at the Novi (Michigan) Civic Center.