I was pleasantly surprised by many things while venturing to Ivy Tech Community College for a reception and to view the recent exhibit of photography by Jiang Wei. Those were:
The impressive campus of Ivy Tech
Information about the student exchange program accompanying the exhibit
The interesting and engaging teachers and staff I was fortunate to meet
The phenomenal photography, which brought me there
Most of the photography was done in the Yunnan province and includes an explanation of the scenes. One is the Yuan Yang Terraces, a masterpiece of the people, where there are thousands of acres of sloped terraced rice fields, which are on the World Heritage List. Another picture of interest was the beautiful photograph of Jiang’s daughter clothed in an exquisite black-and-white dress with ornate jewels.
There were several scenes depicting the college of Buddhist monks in Tibet and their red homes, which they build themselves, and some of their activities. This is truly an educational exhibit of a different culture which can be seen through Feb. 13.
Jiang is director assistant of the School of Culture and Creativity at Wuxi Professional and Technical College, which is the sister college to Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus. The student exchange program through Ivy Tech and Wuxi Professional College hosted this reception as the first fundraiser to accelerate the exchange of students and provide them with international experience in the global marketplace.
The fundraiser offered either original photos or smaller copies for $50, $75 and $100. Columbus and the city of Wuxi have much in common. There is a large Cummins workforce in Wuxi, and both the above schools are attempting to develop an internship program for students.
My first visit to China in 2009 was a memorable and enlightening experience. We found the people to be gracious and kind. Food was delectable and full of surprise tastes. The country is a wonder to behold.
There is a need for awareness for student funding at the state and local level. More information can be gained from Sue Griffith Smith at [email protected] or Erin Lehman at [email protected].
An interesting evening is in store for everyone at The Commons at 7 p.m. Feb. 20. The Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama, 12 Moods For Jazz will include a presentation of the spoken word, songs, a slide presentation and a jazz quartet featuring Ron McCurdy, with guest appearance of our own Columbus star, Maria Harmon. Included in the Langston Hughes Project was a poetry contest for both high schools and middle schools. The winner is Lillyanne Pham, a Columbus North junior. Her poem will be set to jazz, and she will present it at school and at the evening performance. Tickets are available at Viewpoint Books. For information, call 812-764-6477.
In the world of fashion, we found digital prints on fabric rather fascinating. The Peter Pilotto label was the first to print digitally manipulated photos onto fabric but eventually moved onto jacquard that has been woven to create a print-like pattern. Target stores asked Pilotto for a collection in 2014, which brought world recognition. A textile factory in Como, Italy, called Gentili Mosconi, asked to work with Pilotto and his partner, Christopher De Vos. The jacquard from Italy is now the central element in their spring 2015 collection.
Also, the latest trend in makeup is the “no makeup look” — or the “less is more” look. Leave it to the manufacturers of cosmetics to create a whole new line of product to achieve this.
