Today in Anchorage
15 10 2009There are a couple of worthwhile things going on today in Anchorage if you’re out and about. And if you’re not out and about, here are a couple of reasons to get that way.
Last Day of ‘Please Remind Us’
University of Alaska Art Department Chairman Mariano Gonzales’ installation, Please Remind Us….Why Are Americans Still Dying in the Middle East, is currently up at the Alaska Pacific University’s Conoco-Phillips Gallery, in Grant Hall. Late Thursday, Gonzales was informed that the installation is inappropriate, and will have to come down far sooner than it was supposed to.
Apparently the University offered a different space that was unworkable for the exhibit, so your last chance to see it will be today. You can read Gonzales’ statement and learn more about what turned out to be a controversial exhibit HERE. Today is your last day to catch the installation at Alaska Pacific University. Phil Munger of Progressive Alaska will be present to perform a version of Shards there at 4:00 p.m.
Changing Paths at Title Wave
I’ve been reading Bill Sherwonit’s newest book, and I think it’s wonderful. I always enjoy his writing. This one chronicles Sherwonit’s solo backpacking journey through Alaska’s breathtaking and rugged Brooks Range.
The first section considers Sherwonit’s introduction to the Brooks Range and his years as an exploration geologist. Taking a step further back, the author then considers his roots in rural Connecticut and his recognition of wild nature as a personal refuge. He concludes with his emergence as a nature writer and wilderness advocate. An engrossing, fascinating and eye-opening tale of one man’s life and of wilderness conceptions, this vivid description of an area of Alaska that few people get to experience is authentic and enlightening. It is another extraordinary contribution to the literature of place from one of Alaska’s most accomplished nature writers.
You have the opportunity to meet the author, and pick up a copy of Changing Paths: Travels and Meditations in Alaska’s Arctic Wilderness, at the book launch at Title Wave Books on Northern Lights, TODAY at 6 p.m.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:57 AM
There is nothing inappropriate about that installation. I can also understand why another space wouldn’t work for that particular installation. My god, people spend months working on finding suitable locations for artwork. It’s very disheartening for the artist.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:10 AM
AKM Thank you for the heads up on Mr. Sherwonit’s new book. I would head straight out to the book launch, but Pittsburgh is a little far to make it in person! – and Title Wave is my favorite book store! I guess that’s what computers and credit cards are for.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Yes, that installation is quite inappropriate! Why, who failed to allow such an atrocity to be erected in the first place?
Take this so called artist to re-education. How dare anyone question the divine motivations of the United States of America!
*Sarcasm. Either you get it, or you don’t. When did the university get into censorship anyway? Oh, dumb question- sorry*
October 15th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
This may seem a bit off topic, but here goes anyway. I have been thinking a lot about the colossal waste of money that will be spent buying SP’s book, and whose pocketses it will be going into.
I would like to suggest that people consider spending that money on something that would help so many people: services for returning and returned veterans that cannot be covered by the VA. I think of service dogs, social clubs, community reintegration. This is only a beginning.
or: services for people with disabilities, maybe for people with Down Syndrome, such as mainstreaming services, housing, social opportunities, education.
If you must read the book, get it out of the library!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
John#3:”When did the university get into censorship anyway?”
When entering high school students who never had the opportunity to take arts classes because they were all cut out of the curriculum because of budget reasons and whose parents gave them everything including a big sense of entitlement and often insisted that their child be taught nothing that contradicted anything they believed and so therefore the students entered college without any sense of understanding that the college experience is all about opening up the mind to new ideas and so rather they take offense at said same new ideas way too easily and file complaints with the University administration.
That’s when universities got into censorship.
Oh …. that was a rhetorical question, wasn’t it.
Still, it generated what is probably the longest sentence I’ve ever written. I know, it’s a run-on and wouldn’t get a good grade in a paper.
But it is actually fun to try to read it out loud in one breath.
I can, just barely, if I do it fast enough. (obviously, you can see I have nothing better to do right now …)
October 15th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
“Changing Paths”–just the thing to hunker down with as winter’s darkness moves in on us. Thanks.
October 15th, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Art display gone by 6 PM – just the artist’s statement – nada mas.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I went yesterday to see/hear the closing of Pro. Mariano’s exhibit. After thanking APU for putting up with the exhibit for so long, he pointed out that it was probably time for it to come down. One of the points he was trying to get across is that we need open dialog about controversial issues. He’d asked people to write comments AND sign their names– not hide reactive or vitriolic or unthinking responses behind anonymous postings read mostly by others with matching viewpoints–but bring thoughtful discourse out into the open. It seems initially, that those who were adding comments were complying and signing, however Mariano noted that there were now many unsigned rants (my wording) and that was not what he intended.
Mr. Munger’s performance was stirring and then they moved on to flag folding. I had to leave at this point to pick up my children, but it seems that there were several who were experienced at flag folding and were going to teach others the proper way to do so– to show respect. I had a feeling, and would be curious to find out if my hunch was correct, that the man who posted this: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWAVXHNngbk/StaFCzybI5I/AAAAAAAAFXE/dTVxveOM5II/s1600-h/Last+Full+Day+of+ was in attendance and helping to lead the flag folding.