Thursday, October 15, 2015

Haas Gallery features cameras as instruments and art

Neal Cox's approach to photography is unique. His exhibition in the Haas Gallery shows twelve images taken with twelve different pinhole cameras that he designed and built himself. Each image and its camera are placed adjacent to each other. The cameras are complex, three dimensional objects in their own right, opening like the layers of an onion to reveal their inner workings. In some cases, there is a bit of mystery about how they work at all. The images relate to the cameras in their geometric shapes and use of color.

Cox writes:
 
Of the many considerations driving my core practice of designing, building, shooting with, and making prints from cameras, the following rank highest in priority:
Serendipity: I have a basic interest in seeing how things happen without my dictation. I design a complex, multi-aperture camera using pre-existing forms of geometry mainly so I can experiment with serendipity. By design, I leave the viewfinder out of the camera so that composition belongs to the process following exposure. The many ways that lines, values, shapes, etc., cross borders from one exposure to another intrigue my sense of aesthetics.
Dimensionality: Many of the cameras I have designed exploit anamorphic distortion. By creating a dimensional film plane and exposing onto film that has multiple planes, I have the opportunity to flatten the three-dimensional exposure and create a non-standard photographic view of the subject matter.
Aesthetics: I satisfy a personal drive to make objects by making cameras. I satisfy a personal drive as a trained printmaker to make prints by using the negatives in a broad range of techniques to make prints: collotypes, gum prints, cyanotypes, van dyke prints, screen prints, photogravures, tintypes, inkjet prints, etc. Each process affords a satisfying way to interpret photographic mark making. I satisfy a personal drive to make books by using, book art materials, primarily, such as book cloth and book board in the construction of my cameras. I satisfy a personal drive to draw by initially conceiving of my camera designs in a sketchbook, using ballpoint pen to bring the idea to life.
Research: In order to realize a given idea, I often must conduct research into geometry, physics, or some other non-art specific field. I delight in learning new principles with applications to my craft.
Cox is an Associate Professor of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art in Nacogdoches, Texas. His show will run from Oct 15 to Nov 12, with a closing reception on Nov 12, 11 to 2pm, and an Artist Lecture at 1:15pm.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Sociologist Studies Sport



Brandon Lang (Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice) has been very busy over the last few months.  He edited a book entitled Sociology of Sports that is to be published in 2016 and has administered surveys at several professional sporting events, asking fans a series of questions relating to their degree of concern regarding the Washington Redskins team name. 

The twenty-three chapters of Sociology of Sports examine a number of issues that are central to the sociology of sports.  Here is the blurb from back cover of the book:


The Sociology of Sports explores the sociological significance of sports in the United States and around the world.  The anthology features diverse readings and perspectives that illustrate the important role of sports in the lives of millions of people.

The text is organized into six sections.  The first provides an overview of the main theories used to shed light on all social behavior and explains sports sociology.  The second examines how sports perpetuate race, class, gender and religious inequality.  Section Three explores the positive and negative effects of technology on sports.

Section Four includes descriptions and analyses of recent trends in youth and amateur sports, while Section Five considers changes in fan and player behavior over time.  The final section discusses how sports shape and are shaped by politics and the economy.

Accessible and interesting, The Sociology of Sports alerts readers to legitimate concerns about sports while also celebrating the positive role that sports play in health and community building.

As for Lang's research, he has become very interested in the growing social movement to pressure the Washington Redskins to change their team name.  His upcoming sabbatical in Spring 2016 will be spent analyzing survey data that was collected at 6 different NFL and MLB games, including ones in Washington and Cleveland.   He collected over 500 surveys and plans to examine why some groups of fans are more concerned than others regarding Native American team names and imagery in sports.



Lang is also collaborating with Dr. Todd Hoover in Education and Dr. Mohsen Shabahang, the Director of General Surgery at Geisinger, on two projects.  One project conducted focus group research to uncover the extent to which different learning styles among residents impact their capacity to progress through their respective programs; the second examines the importance of emotional intelligence in helping residents navigate the ups and downs of surgical training.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Huskies Perform at Collegiate Marching Band Festival


On Sunday, October 4, 2015, The Bloomsburg University Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Gifford Howarth, performed at the 2015 Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, PA. 

Four thousand performers and six thousand spectators, most of them high school marching band members, were in attendance. 

This year's show features a clever medley of songs by Billy Joel, Elton John, and Paul Simon. If you haven't yet caught this season's show in person at a Huskies football game, you can see the Festival performance on Youtube.