Thu 14/05/09 22:22

I had a great time yesterday. :)

Last night I took part in my second graduation ceremony since I’ve become a professor. I’m not really sure why, but I really like graduations, and for being a relatively small school, AUD has a knack for having the best I’ve seen. They usually have high profile guest speakers, fireworks, and a well rehearsed ceremony. One year, before I was here, they had Bill Clinton speak, last year they had the Secretary of Education, and this year we had Colin Powell as the guest speaker. I’m a fan of Mr. Powell’s so it was an honor to say hello and shake his hand.

I have to say though that the best, and for that matter, the worst part of graduations is seeing some of the students graduate. Maybe I just need more time as a professor to get used to seeing students move on, but for now it’s kind of sad. Last night two of my favorites left and I was happy for both of them, but sad to think I may not see them again…

A picture of some of the best students that I’ve had, and a photo of Colin Powell leaving the graduation hall. This is were I shook his hand a mumbled something like, “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.”

I need a new camera too, look at the quality of the photos… the graduation gowns are supposed to be black and they look blue, and all the photos came out really dark. Oh well, I always say that I take photos to remind me, not for other people… and they will remind me of a very cool evening. :)

So The Fleeting Moment is long since done and all the work has taken its rightful place leaning against the wall or hidden somewhere out of the way. The only thing that remained uncompleted was the interview that PBS did on the exhibition. So in an desperate attempt to prolong my need to go into the office to do some paperwork, I decided to see if it was up on the PBS.org website… it was.

I don’t know if I’m supposed to not care, or if I’m supposed to be excited, but this is the first time I’ve been interviewed for a national network, even though it’s not on tv, it is part of the network.

I’ve always had a hard time seeing and hearing my “recorded” image and voice. I’m not sure why, but watching the interview I felt like although I didn’t embarrass myself as far as I can tell, I still felt a little weird. I look old too… what’s up with that? :)

View the video and read about the exhibition

A student of mine works in the ports for AT&T repairing phones… I think, but she told me that an aircraft carrier was in, and if I wanted to get a tour now would be a great time. So she contacted the USO and then told me to contact a person there. Two days later I’m touring the ship.

So I don’t know what I enjoyed more, just being around all those Americans, or seeing the ship. Both were great, but I have to admit, on my way back to town I started to feel a little homesick for America. This was the first time since I’ve lived in Dubai that I can honestly say that I wished I was there.

So anyway, the carrier is in port for a few days and I took the opportunity to see what it was like. The USS Eisenhower is probably one of the older carriers in commission, but it was so cool to actually be on it, to walk through the passages, to go up into the tower, and mingle around the aircraft on deck. It’s one of those things that I should have had in my goals page here on the web site. I mean I was so excited to see it I was pretty much just grinning the whole time.

Mon 16/03/09 13:13

The Fleeting Moment was the title, and the reception was tonight. It had a good showing and all the work looked good. I took some pics and will post them here. Other than that, there isn’t too much to say.

Nine Dubai-based artists showcase their latest artwork in an exhibition of contemporary painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and video.  This group of artists all address different themes in their work, however their current show converges around the idea of the fleeting moment, the passing of someone on the street, the opportunity taken or missed, the instant in time that is recorded.  We look at this recording for an instant, a minute, maybe even five minutes.  Sometimes the impression stays with us, sometimes it fades away.  Sometimes the constant din of a city that never stops regains control of our senses, and the fleeting moment is just that.

I am one of the faculty members participating in this exhibition. It should be nice to get back into the art scene with my own work, but I will be showing older stuff that I did over a year ago. Maybe this will be the incentive to start working on some new stuff.

Reception is on the 15th of March at Dubai Community Theatre and Art Centre (Mall of the Emirates)

Sun 15/02/09 22:47

After a week of touring Dubai, and meeting with the faculty and students here at AUD, Maris Bishofs has left for home in Latvia. Though I can’t speak for him, but I really enjoyed having him here for the week. His insight to illustration, along with his genuine curiosity in life made him a pleasure to show Dubai to.

Thanks go out to all the people that helped me prepare for Maris’ visit, Dalal especially. Without her help I don’t know if I would have been able to get the visit under control.