Arts - Buffalo State College

called china painted where small glass particles are fused to a glaze
in a low-temperature firing.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster III
A Cut Above
Lena Scapillato, Metals/Jewelry
Faculty mentor: Professor Tara Nahabetian, Design
In this exploration, I utilized the software programs Rhino CAD
and Adobe Illustrator to design three-dimensional objects for the
process of laser cutting. The combination of computer software
and the laser cutting process allowed some of the work to be done
by machine. Using the laser cutter in the Technology Department
allowed me to see the process in action. Viewing the machine in
action made it easier to problem solve and design. Using images
of parasites as a visual resource I developed designs for a series of
earrings and a wall piece. By reducing the images to form, shape
and pattern I alter the perception of my resource from unappealing
to beautiful. I started each project by drawing the designs by hand,
scanning them into the computer and then tracing them into Adobe
Illustrator. Once the digital file is complete, it is sent to the laser
cutter. Although laser cutters can cut a large variety of materials, I
chose to use steel and acrylic. Laser cutting can speed production of
work, decrease the amount of physical labor and allow designers to
change the size of their work. I plan to present a detailed poster that
contains images of my research, samples and finished work.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster II
Dance: The International Language of
the World
Chelsey Broderick, INE 390: China Dance
Faculty Mentor: Professor Joy Guarino, Theater
The question I am posing is does culture, education, and history
influence dance in China as compared to the United States of
America. I will be addressing three parts including how American
and Chinese vernacular differ, how dance is incorporated in
education, and how sites in Beijing and Buffalo, that represent a part
of history, make for a meaningful performance space. Chinese dance
has been around decades before a written or spoken language was
in use and centuries before America had been discovered. Dance is
an art of space and time that incorporates abstract motion reflecting
shapes and patterns while exhibiting feelings, states of mind, and
narratives. Through video I have been studying how the movements
and spatial patterns of Chinese dance contrast to that of American
movements. Chinese dance reflects history by including military and
civilian movements pertaining to rituals and aspects of everyday life.
Various journal articles have mentioned that children in elementary
schools throughout China study traditional folk dances as part of
their curriculum. Dance and movement have been such a part of
their history that gestures carry specific meaning, such as a time of
Arts
war or peace. Credited articles in databases state that there is only
one dance institute in all of China, The Beijing University Dance
Institution. The United States in comparison has dance institutes
all over the country. My presentation will demonstrate contrasts and
comparisons of the vernacular influence and educational dance
curriculum of China and the United States, while considering
historically significant places in which to perform. I will continue my
research when traveling to Beijing, China in late May; journaling my
experiences and bringing back a culture that I can share with my
department and utilize in my work as a teacher.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VIII
Digging Up the Dirt: Utilizing Ceramic
Materials From Your Own Backyard
Sarah McNutt, Ceramics and Art Education
Faculty Mentor: Professor Elena Lourenco, Fine Arts
For this research project I wanted to explore the possibility
of using naturally occurring local material for utilization in my
ceramic work as an alternative to processed, store bought clay. I
was interested in researching local clay bodies and was encouraged
to pursue this with the understanding that New York State has a
high clay soil content. It seems that even in economically hard
times, people still do not realize that they can take advantage of
the natural resources around them. I recognized that I had an
opportunity not only serving multiple advantages to my own work,
but one that I can share with others as well. After various sampling
and testing, I discovered a good source of natural materials that are
free for the taking, that can help promote green living by lowering
the demand on the shipping of clay materials, and that can be
shared with all regional clay artists. As I also have an ongoing
interest in incorporating material from personally meaningful
places and events into my body of work, this research project was a
great opportunity to add a whole new level of depth to my ceramic
sculptures. After digging up, processing, and testing the local clay
bodies I was able to successfully obtain workable and colorful clay to
create pieces of artwork that conveyed my ideas about the places they
came from.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster V
Don’t Judge a Symphony By Its Composer:
Progressivism In Music of Brahms
Samantha Arcara, MUS 303W: Music History 2
Faculty Mentor: Professor Carolyn Guzski, Music
The German Romantic composer Johannes Brahms (1833-
1897) spent fourteen years composing and scrutinizing drafts
before completing his Symphony no. 1 in C minor, op. 68. Anxiously
awaiting the premiere, the public was split into two opposing
artistic factions: those who favored “the academician, the classicist”
Brahms, and those who preferred “the progressive, the innovator,”
29