Colorful images of art, dance and video filled Rackham Auditorium Friday as a unique addition to the University's presidential inauguration for Lee Bollinger. The symposium, "Turning a New Leaf," officially kicked off the Year of Humanities and Arts.
YoHA - triggered by Bollinger's interest in the arts - is a yearlong initiative that aims to celebrate scholarship and performance in the arts, as well as unite the University and Ann Arbor communities.
"This coming year will serve to strengthen that long-term relationship between town and gown in a very unique way," said Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon, YoHA co-chair.
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| ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Michiganensian University President Lee Bollinger addresses the crowd at Hill Auditorium during his inaugural address Friday. Bollinger focused on the principles that are essential to the University and higher education. |
The crowd of nearly 200 people got a taste of YoHA's singularity when six faculty members presented a variety of creative projects.
Among them was Music Prof. Michael Daugherty's multi-media performance titled "Jackie O." Vocal performances, tap dancing and abstract visual imagery illustrated the different phases of the former First Lady's life - including her private side, her icon side and her fashion sense.
SNRE Prof. Kenrick Ian Grandison explained how the architecture of several historically black colleges and universities was related to the racial climate of the era. Grandison used blueprints and photographs to show that the campuses' architecture reflected the black community's difficult past.
Film and video Prof. Yau Ching presented her video "Dead Air," which illustrated Hong Kong citizens' struggles for democracy.
Music and dance Prof. Peter Sparling and Art and Design Prof. Jim Cogswell presented a piece titled "Seven Enigmas" - a unique performance that blended dance, art and lighting.
Making a rare University appearance was artist Jean Magnano Bollinger, the newly inaugurated president's wife and YoHA co-chair.
Magnano Bollinger talked about the results of recent events and emotions in her life, including her strong ties to Ann Arbor despite her residency in Vermont.
"I feel this fragmentation of life leaves one to seek a place where you feel whole and not disconnected," Magnano Bollinger said. "For me, that place is in the mind."
English Prof. Richard Tillinghast said he "really enjoyed" the symposium, adding that his favorite part was fellow English Prof. June Howard's presentation of her case study of the relation between literary collaborations and popular and elite culture.
"The University of Michigan tends to put a lot of emphasis on research and technology, and the arts tend to get a bit neglected," Tillinghast said. "One of the things that's really great about our new president is that he really makes a big difference (with arts and humanities) on campus."
Music sophomore Kelly Hirina, one of a handful of students who attended the symposium, sad she came to see Sparling's presentation.
"We're very excited that our new president has an interest in the arts and we're hoping that our next three years here will be fabulous as a result of it," Hirina said.
Although it officially began Friday, YoHA's presence can already be seen on campus.
Shortly after fall move-in, YoHA sponsored a dialogue on the arts between graduate and first-year students called "YoRenaissance." Courses like "Political Advertising and Discourse," which is cross-listed between the departments of linguistics, political science and communication studies, are also a product of YoHA.
MALLORY S.E. FLOYD/Daily
Bollinger receives congratulations from one of many students who lined up to meet him at Ingalls Mall following his
formal inauguration ceremony.
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