lifestyles
SMITHING
KU's department of art and design is celebrating almost 50 years of teaching students to make art out of metal. An exhibit in the art and design gallery features examples of the program from its beginning
Story and photos by Jei
Bob Ebendorf walks the streets he junk—a piece of a tallight, a bot from the beach. After he adds some creativity and some craftsmanship, he's on a creative journey.
Even at a fairly early stage, we encourage the students to develop an idea of what their work is about and why they are making it," she said.
nerving work to dispelling the art gallery. Ebendorf is one of 34 Kansas metalsmith tured in the exhibit "Kansas Metalsmith The History and Influence" at the art an design gallery. The show, which is free, opened Sunday and ends Nov.18.
The show celebrates the metalsmithing program at the University of Kansas, which is the oldest four-year metals program at a U.S. university. All of the artists involve either graduated from the University or tea in Kansas schools.
The show includes 60 works of jewel sculpture and functional art, as well as piec from current KU seniors in metalsmithing. I show, which took a year to plan, was cura by Bob Havener, professor of design, with help of the other professors in the program chose pieces from each artist's collection illustrated the influences and history of msmithing in Kansas.
"We wanted the strongest point of view showed the diversity and strength of their w Stanionis said.
"The University has been extremely supportive of this venture, and I think rightfully said Lin Stanionis, assistant professor design. "I think it speaks well about what he pens at this University."
Stanionis said there was a strong sense o behind the show because many of the KU gr in the survey had gone on to be known world their work.
"It shows the potential of the kind of stude here," Stanionis said. "We want to be seen a lectural activity. There is cutting edge work
The survey includes everything from s anodized aluminum space ships. Some of the beginning of the KU metalsmithing prog art has changed.
Carlyle Smith, former professor of design metalsmithing program at the University work in jewelry manufacturing in Rhode Isl of the program, 14 students were enrolled in metalsmithing. Now there are three full-undergraduates and four graduate students Smith's and KU's connection to the world o
"The history in the show would be Smith generation who have gone on to be success now teach." Stanionis said.
Many of the artists in the show had been S gone on to expand the metalsmithing fie work are featured as well.
"When Smith started the program, people ability we have today," Stanionis said. "The learn the trade."
The 11 seniors in the metalsmithing program at the University chose their best work to display from Sunday to Nov. 11 in the art and design foyer. Stanionis said the works represented the growth of the
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music
Appealing to a drunk audience is easy. It's reaching them that's hard.
The band SKIN tries an intellectual approach to the local music scene.
By Sharon Rieken Special to the Kansan
Photo courtesy of SKIN
Nathan Berg, lead singer and bass player of the band SKIN, takes an artistic and intellectual view when it comes to the local band scene.
But Berg said he placed more importance on studying music before playing it. He speaks from the experience of an established music career.
After touring worldwide with Maynard Ferguson, who wrote the title hit to the movie "Rocky," Berg signed a three-year record contract and released the Jazz compact disk "Fish with No Fins."
"Iocal bands play well to drunk audiences." Berg said.
"Making music takes hard work, reading books about musical history and articulating a whole vision of the world," Berg said. "There is a difference between an entertainer and an artist. An entertainer wants the listener to forget, but the artist wants to tell the truth."
Berg moved back to Lawrence from Europe to finish school and start the band "Fang O' Love." But he said he wanted to take his music a step further intellectually. So he started the band SKIN, taking most of his inspiration from professors.
Berg said SKIN's biggest competitors were
er beautiful, Drummer Paul Matthews, singer and bassist Nathan Berg and guiause it's never tarist Sabastian Alfie of the band SKIN.
Music should make people feel part of a larger group that is shaped by history, Berg said, and studying music can help musicians make their audience feel a part of that group.
the bands that play well to drunk audiences, which was one problem with local music.
"There is an incoherence of idea," he said. "The vision is never beautiful, because it's never clear. We are not trying to help people forget themselves."
But even the most intellectual listener may not prefer a certain band's sound. Berg said.
"We're a rock band," he said. "One thing people will notice is that we have reggae, rap, and pop songs. Everybody will see something they recognize."
Drummer Paul Matthews said the band's sound is for everyone.
"the band's sound is original and cohesive," he said. "There are a lot of different
styles with a lot of different influences.
There's a little something for everybody.
"We've been evolving, and we're trying to get the most cohesive songs together. There are a lot of bands that sound like everybody else, but that's one of our strengths. We don't sound like everybody else."
Because the band plays a wide range of music, they face a difficult task. The group seeks not to perfect one style of music, but to perfect the art itself.
Lawrence Nightlife Calendar
The Bottleneck
737 New Hampshire St.
Salty iguanas with Shag, 10 p.m.
tomorrow. $4
Dambuilders, Mercy Rule and Panel Donor, 10 p.m. Saturday, $5-6 (18 and over)
Superchunk, The Wedding Present and Butter Glory, 10 p.m. Monday,
advanced tickets $8 and $9 (18 and over)
The Wannabees with Sincola and Smudge, 10 p.m. Tuesday, $4 (18 and over)
Eek-A-Mouse with Secret Cajun Band, 10 p.m. Thursday, advanced tickets $7 and $8 (18 and over)
Babes in Toyland and Bikini Kill, 10 p.m. Wednesday, advanced tickets $7 and $8 (18 and over)
803 Massachusetts St.
Full Moon Cafe
Kris Wade, 9 tonight, no cover charge Jack Timberfish, 9 p.m. tomorrow, no cover charge
Melvin Litton, 9 p.m. Saturday, no cover charge
Anonymous, 8 p.m. Wednesday, no cover charge
James Grauerholz and Arthur Dodge, 8 p. m. Tuesday, no cover charge
Four Man Jam, 9 p.m. Thursday, no cover charge
Liberty Hall
642 Massachusetts St.
Toys for Tots Blues Revue Benefit Concert with Lee McBee, Fast Johnny Ricker and Big John & the 39th Street Blues Band, 7 p.m. Saturday, advanced tickets $7 ($8 at the door)
River Valley Music Cafe 1601 West 23rd St.
1601 West 23rd St.
Larry, Orange Mothers and Heffer, 10 tonight, cover charge
Dead Eye Dick with Judge Nothing, 10 p.m. tomorrow, cover charge
The Kelley Hunt Band, 10 p.m. Saturday, cover charge
River Valley Music Showcase featuring Rich Hopkins & the Luminarios, 10 p.m. Monday, cover charge
Mango Jam CD Release Party, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, cover charge
Mulligan's
1016 Massachusetts St.
The Creek Bank Ghetto Boys, 10 tonight, $2
Dana Cooper, 10 p.m. tomorrow, $2
Jeff Buckley, 10 p.m. Saturday,
advanced tickets $10
Hawk Eye Herman, 10 p.m. Thursday,
$2
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