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NIVERSITY IMES
April 13, 2015
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C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S
Issue 209.3
Institute initiative prompted by artifact reveal
LA ONDA: NUEVAS ESPERANZAS PARA EE.UU. Y CUBA PG 8
Students remember the late Monique Rivera PG 3
Speech and debate successful at AFA Nationals PG 2
Cal state l.a. promotes poetry month PG 10 & 11
April: sexual assault awareness monTh PG 2 Dirty dozen: the consequences of cheap clothes PG 6 SALUTE THE TRUTH SHEDS LIGHT ON U.S. INTERVENTION IN CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA PG 4
Eternal Realms of Revelry curator, John M.D. Pohl describes an artifact to University Times reporter Gerardo Amezquita.|Photo by Timmy Truong
About 90 pieces were in wide display in the exhibition sparking efforts for an archeological institute.
Gerardo Amezquita Staff Reporter In conjunction with the 2015 Mesoamerican Symposium that transpired April 10th and 11th, the Art History Society organized a pre-opening event where they revealed never-before-seen collections of Pre-Columbian art. Notable scholars of the history, archaeology, and art history fields from around the globe attended during the evening on April 9th in the Fine Arts Gallery. The “Eternal Realms of Revelry: The MAW collection of Pre-Columbian Art” was made possible through the philanthropic contributions of three anonymous donors, one being a Cal State L.A. alumni. The only clue to these enigmatic donors remains in that their names make up the acronymic title—MAW—of the art exhibit. The collections of over 700 artifacts are on temporary loan. The objective, however, is to permanently house these collections in Cal State L.A. to launch the creation of a museum-caliber institutional standing; granted that the artifacts are actively used for educational purposes at their donor’s request. The purpose of the night was of persuasion to University administration to finance the efforts for the support and creation of an Institute
for the Study of the Indigenous Civilizations of the Americas (ISICA). The prospect stands that with the possession of these artifacts it could throw Cal State L.A. into competing academic circles in historical and research based organizations comparable to those found in prestigious institutions like UCLA and USC. Regrettably, President Covino was not able to attend the event as expected but was rather attended by Provost Lynn Mahoney. Her functions as a Provost are to administer the academic programming directing University goals to the enhancement of teaching and research quality for all students. It falls upon her to work with Administration as to whether this venture is worth further investment or risk losing a once in a lifetime break. Many institutions have expressed their explicit interest in possessing and studying these pieces of Latin American history. Some notable mentions include UCLA, USC, and California State University, Fullerton. Curator Dr. John M.D. Pohl voiced the unique opportunity the campus has been offered. He said, “This is an outstanding opportunity for Cal State L.A. to have a collection that you can actually start an institute around where people from Cal State L.A. and even greater California can come here to study these materials and even handle them.” Pohl explained the reasoning behind the efforts to permanently instate the exhibit at this campus is because of the predominantly Hispanic population. According to recent data from Cal State L.A.’s Institutional Research in 2014, about 57% of a total 24,448 of undergraduate and graduate students are of
Hispanic descent. This correlates to Pohl’s point of how it adds a sense of authenticity and connection to our campus population because of our ancestral roots from these ancient inhabitants. To add further incentive to these investment efforts was Pohl’s enthusiastic announcement that he is willing to share his vast collection of facsimile manuscripts, codices, and ancient books, of which is the largest, west of the Mississippi river. This would drive further legitimacy to the Institute and Cal State L.A. as a leader in interdisciplinary archaeological study in Mesoamerican history. It would spark unprecedented collaboration with: Chicano Studies, American Indian Studies, Pan African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Fine Arts, Music, Theater Arts, and Television, Film, and Media departments. In addition, it would offer the revolutionary opportunity for Cal State L.A. to engage the extensive Los Angeles community to bring in the general public to look at the ancient antiquity in a familiar museum setting. Claudia Camacho-Trejo, graduate student of Archaeology and President of the Art History Society, organized the symposium made up of over 70 international speakers from different fields and institutions, as well as diplomatic ambassadors of Guatemala and Mexico. The symposium, “In the Realm of the Vision Serpent: Decipherments and Discoveries in Mesoamerica”, was posthumously in tribute to Linda Schele—a pioneering scholar in Mayan studies and credited with the decryption of the Mayan Hieroglyphics Writing. She reveals the need and welcomes all students to show their support through attendance of the exhibit and vocal
encouragement for Associated Students, Inc. funding. “We have to fight with our own institution for financing because we are still waiting for the money from ASI. Even though, Shane [Vera] is supporting us there is still a lot of bureaucratic levels we have to consider. This year, our budget was $20,000, which is a lot of money yet to be recompensed. The donor and even John [Pohl] put some of their own money from their pockets to make all this happen,” says Camacho-Trejo. Dr. Manuel Aguilar-Moreno, faculty advisor of the Art History Society, has been an instrumental figure in the pitch for the stay of the collection in Cal State L.A. However, he explains what the next step would be from this point and further implications that may appear in the near future. “The next level would be to have a formal meeting with the Provost and the Deans in determining whether this project has a future here in Cal State L.A. Their responses to President Covino would determine if this endeavor would get the official green light. This process can take up to six months to year but the donor has been patient in his focus in achieving the creation of this institute here on this campus. To wait any longer, I think, the collection will go somewhere else.” Students, faculty, and the public wanting to show their support and view the exhibition should visit the Fine Arts gallery on the 1st floor of the Fine Arts Building. Normal hours are from 12p.m to 5p.m. on Monday through Thursday and Saturdays with free admission. If you are interested in additional information contact the Art History Society at AHSCSULA@gmail.com or visit ahscsula.wordpress.com.