Check out the research of a graduating anthropology major, Jen Pawson '09, here - on her own podcast! Congratulations, Jen, on your published work. She presented her work at the Ruhlman Conference this spring.
http://www.wellesley.edu/Anthropology/howtomajor.html
Jen, we look forward to a post here about your work!!
- Posted By Emily Saras, '10
This past week I met with Jim Olson @ the Davis Museum and we brainstormed several ways we can all get involved in the Davis Museum. This would be a great way to branch out and get other students (and the administration) interested in the work we do.
1. PODCAST SERIES: Anthropology majors / anthrophiliacs who want to participate can select a cultural artifact owned by the museum, and we can do a running podcast series on "Is it art?".
For example, there is a carved tusk used in a cultural ritual on the top floor of the museum. If it is not designed to be art, does it belong in a museum? What are the legal processes involved?
The research can be short and fun, or can comprise a 350 research project in the spring or fall. Perhaps students and professors could work together to put together these mini-research projects as side research projects? Bonus - students can write on your resume that you are a published podcaster! Awesome!
2. CELL TANGO: Here's how this art exhibit works (and my simple description doesn't do this justice, so bear with me):
Wellesley students and their friends and family can submit pictures they take to a Flickr page. These people tag the picture with a few words - example: a picture of a dog could be tagged with "happy, friendly, dog, smile, pet". Then, an artist in residence this fall will use these pictures in a computer-generated piece of art, which constantly takes these pictures and links them on a large LCD screen by how they are similarly tagged. The result is a beautiful web of pictures that shows how humans categorize the world around them. In the end, it's anthropological computer art.
Incoming Wellesley first-years are being encouraged to participate on their MyWellesley portal, and we can get involved, too. Jim Olson will forward the links to the FLICKR page to me when the artist is ready to start comprising the project mid summer - i'll forward that when I get it. He is excited for anthropology students to include really interesting photos from home, abroad, or wherever, and wants to work with students.
- A student could do a 350 or 360 research project, working with the data the artist collects
- Students could participate by adding to the online picture bank
- A student could do a podcast discussing their take on the art
3. EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM, HOSTED BY ANTHROPHILIA / THE ANTHRO DEPARTMENT!
The curators at the museum are really interested in putting together lectures about the art in the museum and how it intersects with culture. Also, we are welcome to have our Anthrophilia club meetings in the museum, have class lectures in the museum when curriculum and the museum collection goes together, etc.
That's my update! Email me ASAP (esaras@wellesley.edu) if you want to get involved on any of these projects, or if you have other ideas. I'm really excited to get things going - here is a productive way to branch out, despite funding issues and our department's small size.
Comment on these ideas! What do you want to do? Have any other suggestions?
Also, check out http://www.davismuseum.wellesley.edu/
- Posted By Emily Saras, '10
Thanks to Professor Adam Van Arsdale for putting together the end of the year
ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT picnic!
May 15: 3:30-5:30 - Slater International House
This event is intended to give students, faculty and staff associated with the department the chance to relax, celebrate the events of the year, and talk about any exciting plans for the summer. Light food and beverages will be provided. Weather providing we will (in part) be outside - weather prohibiting, indoor facilities will be available. Please join us!
- Posted By Emily Saras, '10
Anthrophiliacs and faithful followers:
Were you aware that the economy is awful? Were you aware that the administration at Wellesley College has little to no love for the Anthropology department? (Despite its "love of multiculturalism"...)
I kid, but check out the amount of money our club has to its name. Lizzi Merrill '09 (Resident James Bond) has created a spreadsheet of our Bake Sale earnings. Lo and behold - $40 we can call our own.
But what can we do with that? How can we get our name out there? How can we put together lectures, film series, and other events? What can we do to show the administration that the students in the Anthropology department mean business?
I'm not pessimistic, I think we can do great things next semester.
Comment back on this post: Let's get together and think of ideas for our next semester! Email us at anthrophilia@gmail.com.
- Posted By Emily Saras, '10
Professor Fox Tree offered a lecture this past spring as part of our Faculty Lecture Series - about Barbie as a material representation of culture. He discussed "ethnic Barbies" and their role of shaping how young children of America view race, and talked about the history of the Barbie industry. His talk was well attended by Anthropology, Womens Studies, and Economics majors, and many visitors came to enjoy his lecture as well. The SPAM (our publicity jpgs - see one above) was a buzz all about campus - apparently, the sarcasm wasn't detected by all, and those out-of-the loop on Barbie pop culture references were confused. Hey, the confused ones still came!
Speaking of attendance...Lesson learned: always offer free food.
- Posted By Emily Saras, '10
