Upcoming Lectures
Established with the generous support of alumna Penny W. Stamps, the Distinguished Visitors Program brings respected emerging and established artists/designers from a broad spectrum of media to the School to conduct a public lecture and engage with students, faculty, and the larger University and Ann Arbor communities. Additional support is provided by our media sponsor, Michigan Radio.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place on Thursdays at 5:10 pm at the historic Michigan Theater, located at 603 E. Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, and are free of charge and open to the public.
February 11, 2010
James Geary
Metaphors & Aphorisms
James Geary is an author and journalist based in London. A writer for Time Magazine for more than a decade where he wrote about everything from neuroscience to politics. Geary was founding editor of timeeurope.com, and Time’s Europe editor. The author of the bestseller The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism and Geary’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Aphorists. Geary will discuss the short, funny, philosophical sayings known as aphorisms. His presentation includes a mix of memoir, literary history, and live juggling. With support from the Institute for the Humanities.
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February 18, 2010
Saskia Olde Wolbers
Now That Part Of Me Has Become Fiction
Expanding the realm of the believable, Saskia Olde Wolbers makes narrative videos void of actors, where temporary and unstable miniature film sets, often dipped in paint and filmed under water, play alongside a voice-over as an intuitive guide to the visuals. During her presentation she will screen Kilowatt Dynasty, Placebo, Interloper, Trailer, Deadline and a new work. Olde Wolbers has won the Baloise Prize at the Basel Art Fair and the Beck’s Future Prize. With support from UMMA, Department of Screen Arts and Cultures, the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and MOCAD.
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March 11, 2010
Dayna Baumeister
Nature’s Industry: The Role of Biomimicry in the New Green Economy
To create products and processes that are well-adapted to life, innovators are turning to a new design discipline called biomimicry, consciously emulating life’s genius—making fibers like a spider, computing like a cell, and running a business like a redwood forest. Dr. Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild, discusses biomimicry and its role in ensuring the success of this new industrial revolution. With support from the Life Sciences Institute, Taubman College, the Graham Sustainability Institute, the College of Engineering, the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Program in the Environment.
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March 18, 2010
Marian Bantjes
The Cross-Pollination of Inspiration
Describing herself as a graphic artist, Marian Bantjes is known for the detailed and lovingly precise vector art, obsessive hand work, patterning and highly ornamental style that have brought her international recognition as a visual designer. Bantjes discusses the curious and unexpected paths of inspiration; how early experiences, travels and a variety of interests have shaped her work; and how design contributes to culture and promotes inspired thinking in others. With support from AIGA Detroit - the professional association for design.
March 25, 2010
Matthias Müller
Thieves Like Me
Matthias Müller is a German experimental filmmaker and curator, often working with found footage. As a curator, Müller organized the Found Footage Film Festival. His films have won the American Federation of Arts Experimental Film Award, the top award at the Interatnional Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen, and the Best of Festival Award at the Ann Arbor Film Festival. His video installation and photography have been featured at Documenta X, Manifesta 3, in the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. With support from the Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Department of Screen Arts and Cultures.
April 1, 2010
Cameron Carpenter
Killing Me Loudly: On the Abdication of the "King" of Instruments
With its grandiose, stereotyped image, and an association with the Christian church, probably no instrument is more in need of innovation than the organ. Grammy-nominated virtuoso organist Cameron Carpenter provides that creative transformation with work that has been the subject of both acclaim and controversy. His presentation includes demonstrations on piano, as well as performances on the Michigan Theatre’s Barton organ. With support from the University Musical Society (UMS) and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
April 8, 2010
Tim Brown
From Design to Design Thinking
Tim Brown is the CEO of IDEO, a global innovation and design firm. Among the 20 most innovative companies in the world, IDEO is a design consultancy that contributed to such innovations as the first Apple mouse and the Palm V. In addition to design for the world’s leading brands, IDEO’s work addresses sustainability, the design of communities, health and wellness, and enterprise for people in the world’s lower income groups. An industrial designer by training, Brown’s own work has earned him numerous design awards and been exhibited internationally. With support from the College of Engineering, the Design Science Program, and UM’s IDSA Student Chapter.
Charles Fairbanks Wins Jiu-Jitsu Gold
Fairbanks recently won the gold medal among blue belts at the 2010 Michigan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Joanne Leonard: SFMOMA Exhibition
Leonard's work is featured in The View from Here, an exhibition open through June 27 at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Matt Shlian and Kathleen McShane Exhibit
Shlian and McShane are participating in The Art of the Artist's Book, at Oakland University Art Gallery in Rochester through April 4th.
James Geary
On February 11, the Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Visitors Series presents James Geary with Metaphors & Aphorisms at the Michigan Theater.
Putting Your Creativity to Work for a Non Profit Organization
Please join us for a panel discussion about working for non-profits, February 17 at 5:00 in room 2043.
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