COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2 : Posted June 14, 2009 I'm proud to announce that my computer graphics course, VICD207 had their first exhibition/reception last night. It was an attempt to let the rest of the department, the university, and outside world know what the students are doing in computer graphics. The reception had about 60 people show up, and was very well received. I can say without a doubt that I'm very impressed with my students, and the work they did last semester. Congrats to all of them.
Labor Camp, Dubai: Posted May 18, 2009
Today we distributed some food, clothing, and housewares to a labor camp near Sharjah. It was fun, and I think we helped the workers a little, at least to let them know that some people care. I can't, and won't, take too much credit for the venture, because I was only there for the distribution of the goods. The whole process consisted of gathering the stuff, sorting it, and then bagging it for the distribution process and I really wasn't part of that at all. I do feel fortunate to have been able to help at least in some small way though.blog entry
AUD Graduation Ceremony: Posted May 16, 2009 This was the second graduation ceremony that I've been through as faculty here at AUD. For lack of a better description, it was very good. There was Colin Powell as the keynote speaker, some of my favorite students graduated, and I got to sit in the front row during the graduation-- all good things to me. You have to imagine this ceremony, it's nothing like I've ever experienced int the US. There is fireworks for one, the event is televised and shown around the Middle East, (the administration likes to say that it's televised internationally), the keynote speaker is usually a very well known politician from the US. One year it was Bill Clinton, last year it was the Secretary of Education, and as mentioned, this year it was Colin Powell. I've added an entry in the blog for a little more text and a pic of Colin Powell.
USS Eisenhower: Posted April 18, 2009 I got the opportunity to tour the aircraft carrier, USS Eisenhower yesterday. I don't know why, maybe it's the movies like Top Gun, or maybe that I almost joined the Navy instead of the Air Force back in the eighties, but it's always been one of those things that I've wanted to do, to be on a working aircraft carrier. The tour lasted a couple of hours and I got to see all the best things, the bridge, the flight deck, as well as walking through the carrier itself. You'd never imagine the labyrinth of corridors and doorways that all seem to look the same. It was really a great experience and I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to see it for myself. I've adde a few more pics of the experience in the blog.
Cameroon, Africa: Posted March 30, 2009 I was at the opening for "That Fleeting Moment" chatting with another prof from AUD, when I mentioned in a perfect world where I could do what I wanted I'd spend time volunteering in Africa. It's something that has been a goal of mine for a long time. He mentioned an e-mail that had been circulated through the university asking for volunteers to go to Cameroon this summer. I either didn't get it or didn't read the e-mail, but that gave me the opportunity that I needed and after a few e-mails, a couple forms to fill out, and one meeting, it looks like I'll be leaving for Cameroon in June. I'll spend three weeks probably teaching, and then I'm planning on heading to Southern Africa for another couple of weeks, but maybe even longer. The blog that I'm using...
THAT FLEETING MOMENT: Posted March 11, 2009 This is the exhibition that I am participating in. The images that I put together are mostly mine, except for the second one, which is Michael Bray's. Ten Dubai-based artists showcase their latest artwork, in a variety of mediums.
Contemporary painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and video are
featured. 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.
Monday 16 - Wednesday 25 March 2009. Opening: Sunday 15 March 2009, 7pm
Many into One digital print on paper, 18 x 30
It's always disturbed me that so many people want to conform to what is expected of them. This is a shame because of what is lost in the process, individuality is unique and should be preserved at all costs, and too often the weird or unusual are forced to conform to the larger unit, to judge their actions on what they expect the reaction of others with be. In the end, what we have is "one" collective personality.
