MIAD Bridge by Mark Gage

BOW MASTER MURRU | THIS I BELIEVE | BRIDGING THE PRECIPICE

MIAD BRIDGE

MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE WELL

BOW MASTER MURRU | 6

Discover one of the most interesting and hidden classes that MIAD has to offer.

THIS I BELIEVE | 10

Riley Erickson writes about his views on the pace and direction of our society.

BRIDGING THE PRECIPICE | 14 Find out what MIAD students are doing to prevent community collapse in Milwaukee.

DEPARTMENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | 4 ALUMN OF THE MONTH | 18 WHAT’S NEW @ MIAD? | 19 BRIDGE QUICK FACTS | 20

MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR When I came back to MIAD after my summer break, I noticed that the school had gone through some substantial changes. Renovations had been started on both the interior and the exterior, there were new teachers, new classes, and new students. Even the internet was now working throughout the building, which was nothing short of a massive frustration the past few year. It was pretty clear that MIAD was doing everything they could to progress the students’ educational programs and offer an environment that was welcoming to creative exploration. “Great,” I thought selfishly. “Now I have access to all of these resources to better myself.” However, the truth is, these resources are not here for just MIAD students but, in many ways, for the whole community. I started to think about the confusing and twisted route I took that led me to my enrollment at MIAD. I bounced around a string of universities, longer than I would like to admit, in the great discovery of “Who am I and why am I here.” I realized that it was God who took me through the road less traveled in order to see the world and the people who occupy it. I saw the ups, the downs and the little effort it takes to segregate communities. This road less traveled was molasses in progress and a painful route, in which I mentally vowed to do whatever it takes to prevent that experience for anyone else. I truly believe that to gather all of the segregated pieces of a whole community and stitch them back together we need a strong, progressive, forward-thinking surge of will power and determination. We need to jump in with both feet and hit the ground r unning . So if you’re ready, take control of the wheel, buckle up, and lets hit this magazine pedal to the metal. Enjoy the ride!

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BOW MASTER MURRU AT AN ART SCHOOL LIKE MIAD, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE YOU WILL RUN INTO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH YOU. BUT BEING THE CREATIVE, UNIQUE PEOPLE WE ARE, THERE ARE BOUND TO BE SOME UNUSUAL OR UNEXPECTED THINGS WE DO IN OUR FREE TIME. Written by KELSEY BARNOWSKY

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We aren’t a big enough school to have it’s own major sports team or anything like that, but we are lucky to have faculty that give us the opportunity to take part in some very exclusive, smaller activities. As for me, I happen to be an avid archer and hunter. After one of my professors knew this about me, she told me I should get in contact with Maurizio Murru. If you haven’t gotten the pleasure to meet him, Maurizio Murru is one of MIAD’s most dedicated science professors. Not only does he teach courses like biology and ecology, he takes time out of his busy schedule to organize outof-school classes and adventures associated with science and the outdoor world. Maurizio is extremely passionate about biology and nature, constantly sharing his knowledge and experience with students and faculty. One of the very unique activities Maurizio has started at MIAD happens to be a bow making class. The reason you probably haven’t heard about Maurizio’s bow making class is because it’s something that takes a lot of passion, dedication, and commitment. I found out about it because I was one of the only girl hunters Maurizio had met at MIAD. When we met, we had a long conversation

about our hunting experiences and after I mentioned that I had been shooting archery since I was 4 years old, Maurizio’s eyes lit up. He then took a wooden longbow off of his wall and said he made it by hand and actually hunts with it. Maurizio is a very primitive hunter and all in good fun,

“I like to know who they are, because they are making a weapon! ” enjoys making fun of people like me who use compound bows to hunt. This is just one of many reasons why Maurizio decided to pursue a bow making class at MIAD. It all started when he was talking to another faculty member who was really interested in making a bow like the ones

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Maurzio has showcased in his office. He offered to help him make them in the 3D lab on their own time. Lots of people started noticing what they were doing in the lab and became really interested in the beautiful longbows. As Maurizio states, once people start to become interested is when you then have to get permission. Because so many students were interested in making the bows, he went to the board and inquired about the class. They were really concerned at first with the fact that the bows were weapons. But Maurizio

proved them wrong by saying that they weren’t weapons until they had arrows, which wouldn’t be at school. So with that settled, the bow making class began. Out of the interest of students and teachers, Maurizio then gave up one of the few free slots of time he has in his schedule so he can share his knowledge and talent. Not many schools have teachers that are that willing to sacrifice 3 hours of their day for a class that is solely for fun and

enjoyment. Since the bows take a long time to make, the classes have to be very small. There is only one a semester with about 9-10 people in it. When I asked Maurizio how he picks who can be a part of the class, he said, “Well, I like to know who they are. They are making a weapon!” Anyone with interest signs up and is put on the waiting list.

Maurizio said if they make more effort to contact him about it, they are bumped up on the list because he needs to know they are committed. Maurizio pays for all of the wood for the bows and the students reimburse him and buy their own set of tools.

“If you ever have a suggestion for any ou t d o o r adventure, Maurizio is the one to contact.”

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“M a u r i z i o i s a B I G asset to the MIA D community.” The class is very worthwhile because almost everyone in the class uses their bow when they are done making it, whether it is for actual hunting, target shooting, or simply because they are interested in the longbow’s history or look. Each bow is very individual and Maurizio likes everyone to research what kind of bow they would like to make, whether it is a certain tribe of Native American or an English bow. No matter what type though, they all turn out to be gorgeous, strong longbows. Maurizio also offers to help

everyone make their own arrows outside of the school. He even makes special exceptions when it comes to the bow class; he is currently doing one independent study with a student and also helping another make bows as a part of her MIAD Senior Thesis. Maurizio is a big asset to the MIAD community. He gets together students and instructors who share an interest in nature and outdoors activities, which is a big thing here in Wisconsin.

All of the things he does are on his own time and with the intent of sharing the enjoyment and knowledge with others. He said he loves seeing everyone interact outside of the classroom where it’s not a forced situation. Not only does he instruct the bow making class, but he also gets together kayaking trips and rides down the Wolf River. Having

people like him as a part of our faculty is what makes MIAD’s community so unique and diverse. Hopefully his dedication and passion will be inspiring to other students and faculty at MIAD. Also that our exceptional, and unique student organizations will continue to keep on growing.

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IN THE ‘URBAN JUNGLE’ SETTING IT IS OFTEN THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN FEEL EMOTIONALLY LOST. THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE SUGGESTS THAT TO DISCOVER YOURSELF, YOU NEED TO FIND PEACE AND BEAUTY THROUGH TRANQUILITY. Written by RILEY ERICKSON

The pace of our lives increasingly moves towards a state of frenetic disarray that threatens to undermine the tactile quality that holds us all together. We are taught to value speed and efficiency over methodical and deliberate action. We get so caught up in the rush that we forget to take a moment and just absorb what is around, instead of trying to hastily

pack everything in. Of course, speed and efficiency are not inherently poor principles; they have propelled the infrastructure of this country and are responsible for numerous gains in countless areas of society. Perhaps this heightened forward progress has brought to our attention that the time we have available is a limited resource, further exacerbating

The pace of our lives increasingly moves towards a state of disarray. and multiplying the velocity of our direction. I believe that in order to see who we really are as a society and as an individual, we need to slow our pace. The desire to pace myself and move in small and steady incremental directions has been a part of who I am from the time I can remember. I never wanted to jump into anything too quickly, and I commonly analyzed

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a situation extensively before making a decision about how I really felt. Even with this attitude of trying to take things slowly and carefully, I too was guilty of moving at a speed that caused me to miss out on important things. People label others as lazy when they are not productive with every minute of their day, and we do not want to be ones to go against the current, so we pack our lives so full that twenty-four hours is not enough for a day. My commutes on the local interstate have provided me with plentiful opportunities to witness the degeneration of behavior when it comes to

testing patience. The drivers of the cars that scream by in the adjacent lanes, weaving and bobbing through traffic just to make it two car lengths ahead and save themselves twelve seconds of commute time are missing out. Time has become so precious to them that they seek to trap it instead of simply enjoying it. We have become so enthralled with technology and the digital advancements that exponentially multiply in size and pace that we forget to disconnect periodically and unwind. I believe we need to shut off the phones, computers and televisions, and just listen sometimes.

In order to see who we really are as a society, we need to slow our pace.

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It was a typical summer evening in Minnesota when I pulled back the covers on my bed and crawled in wearily. It had been another hot and humid workday, and even the air conditioning failed to take the dampness out of the air. The buzz of the unit could be heard outside my wall and my air purifier echoed its harmony with a thrum that verged on the hypnotic. I sunk into my pillow and flicked the power button on the remote, letting the constant din of the television put me into an unblinking trance, while the

overhead lights popped and clicked with the heat of electricity. My sagging eyelids were brought back to attention with a bright flash outside of my window. Funny, it was not supposed to storm that night. Another flash ensued, followed by a roll of thunder after a moment. Seconds later the room was bright as day, quaking under the shock of a strike so close that all the windows in the house rattled. The room went black and the image last seen on the TV did a dance on my retinas every time I blinked. My ears, after growing accustomed

to the constant whir of fans and electronics, strained to hear any sound at all. My initial anger was quickly replaced by the realization that I had not experienced a quiet such as this in far too long. Time stood still as I looked around and saw nothing but blackness; I could hear my heart pound to the rhythm of the rain falling outside my window. The pace of my life mattered not at that moment, and I absorbed the eerie feel of nothingness that quietly replaced the noise.

Nothingness is a rare commodity for our world today that glorifies progress and views breaks and sleep as hindrances to that goal. We continually wear on our mental and physical states with the noise of our lives and the blare of the world around us. Perhaps in this state of uncommon silence we can take the time to ease out of acceleration. Perhaps nothing is exactly what we need to hear.

The pace of my life mattered not at that moment.

MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

BRIDGING THE

PRECIPICE ONE OF THE PRIMARY CLASSES THAT SETS MIAD APART FROM MOST OTHER ART & DESIGN SCHOOLS WOULD BE HS380: SERVICE LEARNING. MIAD’S DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY STRENGTHENS BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED. Written by MARK GAGE Illustration by SHANE WIESER

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Before I began my education in MIAD’s Communication Design program, I often thought of the hermit lifestyle art and design schools demand. Tedious hours of monotonous craft all the while alone in a studio buried somewhere deep in the city. While that is certainly the case for many artists and designers, MIAD demands a community interaction often thought to be reserved for social workers. It is an involvement that takes the students’ views of their communities and then rattles their perceptions. More often than not, MIAD has even enlightened students that their community expands far out of their familiar suburbs and downtown boutiques. Students have begun to realize that their community is a web of many cultures, incomes and talents. Milwaukee, being one of the most culturally segregated cities in the United States, is certainly aware of its’ shattered community and MIAD is joining in the fight to reestablish community ties. As history has proved, it is only at the precipice of a community’s struggle that a need for change is accepted by the community

as a whole. However, Leslie Fedorchuk, a MIAD liberal studies professor, is determined to create a positive change before we reach the tipping point. Between 1999 to 2000 a curriculum was in the works for a class that would infuse the artist and designer into their community. In 2001, the course HS380 Service Learning was established. Of course, HS380 had to meet the requirements and expectations of a Faculty Senate Committee and an Academic Affairs Committee before it was born. Until the creation of HS380, MIAD had no student involved service requirements. In many ways, HS380 is the creation of Leslie Fedorchuk and her continued involvement in the course is a testament to her desire for community improvement. The course structure of HS380 is the culmination of both 35 service hours for non-for-profit organizations and a rigorous exploration into the minds of history’s most profound civic leaders

including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Gandhi. Apart from a basic history lesson, Fedorchuk states that “the ctourse has a had a positive impact on academic performance, critical thinking skills, leadership, activism and promoting an understanding of diversity and civic responsibility.” The course forces students into an involvement with places and situations that would have otherwise remained unexplored. All of the while, students bring back their experiences of their service hours and discuss how it impacted them and those they were performing their services for. Backed with assignments ranging from readings to peer-to-peer discussions, HS380 has not only improved upon the students’ academic abilities but also has improved on their own conscience state of moral and civic responsibility, for their community. MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

Admittedly, I was skeptical as to how a small art and design school could create such a positive impact on a community the size of Milwaukee. My belief was that 35 hours of service and just a few assignments were simply not enough for an individual to change their perception of community obligations. It took but a few class sessions to realize that HS380 is not your typical course. It is in essence a seed planted into the creative and flourishing minds of MIAD’s student body. It is a seed from which a realization that community engagement is as necessary as a diploma. It creates a desire that

even after our time here at MIAD, our involvement in the community remains steadfast and in demand. Especially for artists and designers, our creativity and lust for perfection can impact a community on such a level that most individuals could never imagine. Through the use of public art, publications and purity in intention the artist or designer can penetrate a vast audience that far expands even our own understanding. Art, in general, connects to the masses in many individual ways.

“It is only at the precipice of a community’s struggle that the need for change is accepted by the entire community as a whole.” MIAD, as an art and design school, demands engaging, precise, and original work from every student. If you couple that with a desire for continued civic responsibility and a dedication to community improvement, MIAD is surely on the brink of something much larger than any artist gallery or ad agency is prepared for. Aside from the amazing talent that MIAD’s student body possesses as artists and designers, the school is unique in its’ progressive advancements towards

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serving the community in which the university is proud to reside in. As HS380 grows from its original conception in 2001, changes have been made. For instance, more faculty members, other than Fedorchuk, have become instructors of the course, however, the basic class foundation has remained the same. MIAD’s true desire is to educate the artist

and designer as a “whole” person. As expressed by Fedorchuk, “We are giving people the tools they need in a professional capacity--but in addition, tools to be participatory members of the community they find themselves in.”

MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

ALUMN OF THE MONTH

PAPA PALIOS A.K.A. ANDREW PALIOS

FIND OUT HOW ANDREW ‘PAPA’ PALIOS IS GIVING BACK TO MIAD AND THE CITY FROM WHERE HE GRADUATED. Written by PAUL ALTOTT

“He wanted to give something back to the school that had given him so much.”

After school Palios began to take on multiple freelance opportunities for local bands that played shows around the East Side neighborhood. After many pro bono projects for local members of the community, Palios decided to tackle yet another project that would not only show case his talent but would benefit the community as well. Which brings us to the magazine that you the reader are holding in your hands right at this moment. Palios was searched out for his skills in web design and was proposed a project that would help get the word out for MIAD and its Bridge Magazine project. A site that would be designed by Papa Palios himself. This site would then be used to upload all the Bridge Issues for not only the Milwaukee community to view them, but the entire world to see how MIAD is bridging that gap to the community, one article, one magazine at a time. He helped out and because of his talent and openness to help out the 18

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school that had given him so much, he wanted to give something back in return. I have known Palios for a while now, and if I know anything about him is that he’s an extremely modest person. What he would want us all to know is that he’s just part of the “MIAD family”. The family is large, full of many members, and he is just one of the many. All the members do great things for the community, but for me Papa Palios stands out. He gives without asking for anything in return, and has always been there for not only myself but many, many more. Simply put we should have all had the pleasure to meet Papa Palios and thank him for all he has done for our community.

WHAT’S NEW @ MIAD?

PLANNING FOR MIAD’S FUTURE

MIAD PRESIDENT, NEIL HOFFMAN, EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS ON THE NECESSARY STEPS FOR MIAD’S PROGRESSION. Written by MARK GAGE

“The point is getting people to envision the future together.”

The implementation of MIAD’s strategic planning starts by involving everybody in the school. This is the belief of MIAD’s President, Neil Hoffman. After a recent student survey of MIAD students’ experiences at our school, it appeared to President Hoffman that were some changes that needed to be made. Instead of assuming that MIAD was doing a good job, President Hoffman insisted that the students have the opportunity to voice their opinion. Some issues students had were unorganized labs, minimal parking, spotty WiFi, and curriculum dissatisfaction. While this certainly was not the global response of the student body, it struck a feeling of responsibility with President Hoffman. Hoffman then organized a strategic plan to adapt to the needs of MIAD’s students by involving all participants of the school. In response to the student survey, Hoffman put forward a plan to resolve the gaps between what students expected and a feeling of dissatisfaction. Within the first year, 80% of the strategic plan was addressed and then resolved. Hoffman insists that to build the best educational experience for future

students, the voice of current students and faculty needs to be heard. To appropriately accommodate the needs of the school, everybody needs to be on the same page. This global appreciation of every curriculum’s individual needs is expressed by full transparency of the school’s agendas. Every faculty member and student is aware of where financial improvement is needed and how they can help this achievement. The purpose of all of this is that MIAD can offer a complete integration between all curriculums. That is to say that the designer and the fine artist will be mixed in a melting pot of creativity and artistic cultural similarity. The future of MIAD’s success is founded on the ability to come together as a community of creativity-driven individuals, each of which also has their own voice and the ability to express their specific needs.

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BRIDGE QUICK FACTS

THE SCOOP So now you are interested in coming to MIAD, but you still want to know more facts. Here are some quick facts about MIAD and what you can expect to find at our school. Included in this edition of QUICK FACTS we have the average cost of attending MIAD, the student to faculty ratio and the gender distribution of the student body. Find out more at aicad.org/profiles/MIAD_profile.pdf.

Students/Faculty Ratio

STUDENTS : 8.8

FACULTY : 1

Undergraduate Gender Distribution

MALE : :44% FEMALE 56%

FEMALE : 56% MALE : 44%

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance on Campus TUITION MANDATORY FEES BOOKS & SUPPLIES ROOM & BOARD OTHER TOTAL COST $0 20

5,000

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10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

MORE FACTS DEGREES OFFERED BFA MAJORS OFFERED Communication Design Drawing Illustration Industrial Design Integrated Studio Arts Interior Architecture + Design Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture Time-Based Media MINORS OFFERED Advertising Art History Business Design/Fine Arts Studio Writing OTHER PROGRAMS Pre-College Adult Education

MAILING ADDRESS MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN 273 E. ERIE ST. MILWAUKEE, WI 53202

VISIT OUR WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.BRIDGE.MIAD.EDU

THE CONTRIBUTORS CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANNE GHORY-GOODMAN

ART DIRECTOR MARK GAGE

EDITOR

MARK GAGE

WRITERS

PAUL ALTOTT KELSEY BARNOWSKY RILEY ERICKSON MARK GAGE

ILLUSTRATOR SHANE WIESER

PHOTOGRAPHERS MARK GAGE ANDREW PALIOS KT SCHRAMM

MIAD BRIDGE | Sept. 2010

“WE CANNOT S FOR OURSELVES AN PROGRESS AND PR COMMUNITY... OUR BE BROAD ENOUG ASPIRATIONS AND N FOR THEIR SAKES A

EEK ACHIEVEMENT ND FORGET ABOUT OSPERITY FOR OUR AMBITIONS MUST H TO INCLUDE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, ND FOR OUR OWN.” CESAR CHAVEZ