ASU Downtown hosts atomic bomb exhibit

A-bomb exhibit runs from Oct. 27-Nov.6

A traveling poster exhibit promoting peace, education, art and cultural exchange is making a stop at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

The Arizona traveling exhibit of “Hiroshima Calling”, a collection of approximately 30 informational posters chronicling the August 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is on display at Information Commons, the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus library located at University Center, 411 N. Central Ave. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It runs through Nov. 6.

“Hiroshima Calling will help us remember world history, including stories of loss and devastation across cultures,” said Liz Zakos, program manager for the exhibit in Arizona. “It reminds us to have hope and to live with our neighbors in a peaceful society.

The goal of the exhibit is to reach 101 cities in the United States during a two-year period that will end Dec. 31, 2008, Zakos said. Some of the cities that have hosted the exhibit include Lafayette, Ind., Raleigh, N.C., Wilmington, Del., Bozeman, Mont., and Oakland, Calif. Arizona is the last state to host the exhibit.

The poster series includes information and images on the effects of the atomic bomb, before and after images of the cities, survival after the bombing, heat rays, high-temperature fire, reconstruction, effects of radiation on the body and a goal toward a peaceful world free from nuclear weapons.

“The project is important for its international significance and because some members of our community lived in Japan when the bomb was detonated or who had relatives living there,” said Kathryn Nakagawa, interim director for the Asian Pacific American Studies program in ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “We want to send a message about never forgetting what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to continue to promote peace.”

The traveling exhibit is sponsored by the World Youth Visit Exchange Association of Arizona in partnership with Ken Koshio Project, ASU Pacific American Studies Program and NAU Center for Asian Studies Program and NAU Center for Asian Studies. Hiroshima Calling will travel to five different Arizona locations from October through November, 2008.

For more information, call (602) 234-4767 or visit www.hiroshimacalling.org.

"My Life in the Movies" out in hardback

My Life in the Movies features still photographer's best Hollywood-era camera work

The still photographer behind some of the greatest images in cinema has just released his first book on his life in the movies.

Dave Friedman, the first and only still photographer to be voted into the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and the man who took the last cinematic images of Steve McQueen and Bruce Lee, has just published My Life in the Movies (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2008).

My Life in the Movies showcases the best of Friedman’s Hollywood-era camera work. It is also a trip back in time, with the photographer sharing his memories of what it was like to be in close quarters with some of Hollywood’s greatest, making films – and imagery – that will truly last forever.

After an apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman, Friedman went on to become one of the most in-demand still photographers in Hollywood from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. While shooting on location for dozens of Hollywood’s classic films of that era, he befriended stars such as Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Caine, James Caan, Goldie Hawn, Cissy Spacek, Omar Shariff, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jaqueline Bissett. Some of his movie credits include Enter the Dragon, Grease, Brian’s Song, Summer of ’42, Carrie, Superman, Tom Horn, Rambo II, The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky IV and The Running Man.

This 301-page hardback book is priced at $49. A special limited run of 2,500, which includes a slipcase and is signed by Friedman, was released earlier this year at $69.

To order a copy of My Life in the Movies, visit www.daltonwatson.com or call (847) 945-9603.

ASU Downtown hosts Nov. 21 art exhibit

Art exhibit, book celebrate collaboration spanning centuries

November 21, 2008
7 - 9 p.m.

The stars lean down from open space, and the moon comes running up the river.

It's a moment of inspiration that ripples through time and across nations.

It started when Chinese poet Du Fu wrote those words in the 8th century, and evolved into a modern work of art involving nationally recognized Arizona artist Beth Ames Swartz, four poets from Arizona State University and a delegation from Sichuan University in Chengdu, China.

The creative results will be on display in "The Word in Paint," an exhibition celebrating the collaboration between the visual artist and the poet, that opens Nov. 21. A public reception kicks off the opening from 7 to 9 that night at ASU's University Center, 411 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

The free exhibition will run through mid-February, in conjunction with the publication by ASU of a book with the same name.

"This whole project is a celebration of cross-cultural understanding and the use of creativity as links between universities," says Jewell Parker Rhodes, Piper Endowed Chair and artistic director for Piper global engagement at ASU's Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. "It's a long-lasting work of art with a history that is entangled at its core with creativity and global engagement."

Rhodes introduced the Chinese delegation to Swartz's series of paintings, titled "The Thirteenth Moon." They were dazzled by Swartz's paintings based on ancient poems by Du Fu and Li Bai.

With support from Debra Friedman, university vice president and dean of ASU's College of Public Programs, and Scott P. Muir, director of the Information Commons Library, Rhodes involved poets from the Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program in ASU's Department of English who would be teaching on-campus and distance learning courses for Sichuan University faculty and students as part of the Piper Center's Program for Global Engagement.

This program provides full funded international opportunities for MFA Creative Writing students. It offers teaching opportunities around the world, as well as support for students to do creative work at artist colonies and participate in international conferences.

ASU Professor Beckian Fritz Goldberg, graduate students Iliana Rocha and Leah Soderberg, and visiting doctoral student John Sparrow from Royal Holloway College in England, viewed an exhibit of Swartz's paintings in Scottsdale. In response, the poets wrote original poems based on particular works. "The Word in Paint" reproduces eight of these poems among artwork from the past three years.

The collaboration spanning centuries "shows us that when a heart beats in China or Russia or Iraq or anywhere in the world, it's the same kind of heartbeat that we all have," says Swartz. "The poetry is all about the challenges that we face as humans in trying to get along with each other. It constantly amazes me how poignant and applicable it is today."

Swartz's 50-year career includes a 2002 retrospective at Phoenix Art Museum and a solo exhibition at The Jewish Museum in New York. She is a recipient of the Arizona Governor's Arts Award, the highest award for an artist in the state.

The book also includes essays on Swartz's artwork by internationally known art critic Donald Kuspit, professor of art history and philosophy at the State University of New York, and John Rothschild, an author and poet. It is jointly published by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Public Programs.

The book will be available for purchase at the event, and beginning Nov. 22 through Swartz's Web site at www.bethamesswartz.com.

For information, call (602) 496-0406.

High resolution photos of Swartz and the artwork are available at the following links:

http://copp.asu.edu/do/college-news/photo-gallery/Beth_Ames_Swartz/view

http://copp.asu.edu/do/college-news/photo-gallery/facing_snow.jpg/view

http://copp.asu.edu/do/college-news/photo-gallery/facing_snow_closeup/view

http://copp.asu.edu/do/college-news/photo-gallery/facing_snow_closeup2/view

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corey Schubert
Manager of Media Communications, ASU College of Public Programs
602.496.0406 office
602.370.6128 cell
Corey.Schubert@asu.edu

Mansfields head up 2009 Elvis celebration

The Mansfields to be Guests at 2009 Birthday Events

Rex Mansfield, who was inducted, trained and served with Elvis in the Army, and Elisabeth Mansfield, Elvis' secretary while he was stationed in Germany, will be special guests at the January 2009 Fan Club Presidents’ Event and Elvis Insiders Reception and Tour.

Rex Mansfield was inducted into the Army on the same day as Elvis in March 1958 and went through basic training with him in Texas, travelled with him to Germany and they became close friends for the next 18 months.

Elisabeth Stefaniak was a young German girl in 1958, and was hired to answer Elvis' fan mail. Elisabeth became romantically involved with Elvis, but was torn between her love for Elvis and her love for Rex. But she eventually chose Rex and they married in 1960.

During the Elvis Insiders Reception and Tour on January 9, Rex and Elisabeth will be meeting fans, signing autographs and selling their book Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

During the Fan Club Presidents’ Event on January 10, fans can hear Rex and Elisabeth sharing their stories about Elvis during his time in the Army. Following the fan club event, they will be signing autographs and selling copies of their book.

For details on both events and to purchase tickets, visit www.elvis.com.

Book Soup hosts Dave Friedman

Friedman signs My Life in the Movies at Book Soup on Oct. 18

Dave Friedman, a still photographer behind some of the greatest images in cinema, will appear at a world famous book store on the Sunset Strip this week to promote his new book.

The signing will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Friedman will sign copies of his new photo book My Life in the Movies (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2008) .

My Life in the Movies showcases the best of Friedman’s Hollywood-era camera work. It is also a trip back in time, with the photographer sharing his memories of what it was like to be in close quarters with some of Hollywood’s greatest, making films – and imagery – that will truly last forever.

After an apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman, Friedman went on to become one of the most in-demand still photographers in Hollywood from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. While shooting on location for dozens of Hollywood’s classic films of that era, he befriended stars such as Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Caine, James Caan, Goldie Hawn, Cissy Spacek, Omar Shariff, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jaqueline Bissett. Some of his movie credits include Brian’s Song, Summer of ’42, Little Fauss and Big Halsey, Enter the Dragon, Carrie, Grease, Superman, Rambo II, The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky IV and The Running Man.

Friedman was also the still photographer for Steve McQueen’s last two motion pictures – Tom Horn and The Hunter – in which a chapter is devoted to each film and Enter the Dragon, which was Bruce Lee’s last film before his untimely death.

This 301-page book, priced at $69, is a special limited run of 2,500 and includes a slipcase and is signed by Friedman. Hardback books are also available at $49.

The cost to attend the signing is free, but an RSVP is required to guarantee admittance. Contact Tyson Cornell at (310) 659-3684 or e-mail him at tyson@booksoup.com to RSVP.

Publisher Dalton Watson will also take orders from buyers around the world who want to purchase a special limited edition with an inscription from Friedman. For more information, go to www.daltonwatson.com

Dave Friedman signing at Book Soup

Book Soup hosts cinema's greatest still photographers at Oct. 18 signing

Dave Friedman, a still photographer behind some of the greatest images in cinema, will appear at a world famous book store on the Sunset Strip this week to promote his new book.

The signing will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Friedman will sign copies of his new photo book My Life in the Movies (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2008) .

My Life in the Movies showcases the best of Friedman’s Hollywood-era camera work. It is also a trip back in time, with the photographer sharing his memories of what it was like to be in close quarters with some of Hollywood’s greatest, making films – and imagery – that will truly last forever.

After an apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman, Friedman went on to become one of the most in-demand still photographers in Hollywood from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. While shooting on location for dozens of Hollywood’s classic films of that era, he befriended stars such as Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Caine, James Caan, Goldie Hawn, Cissy Spacek, Omar Shariff, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jaqueline Bissett. Some of his movie credits include Brian’s Song, Summer of ’42, Little Fauss and Big Halsey, Enter the Dragon, Carrie, Grease, Superman, Rambo II, The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky IV and The Running Man.

Friedman was also the still photographer for Steve McQueen’s last two motion pictures – Tom Horn and The Hunter – in which a chapter is devoted to each film and Enter the Dragon, which was Bruce Lee’s last film before his untimely death.

This 301-page book, priced at $69, is a special limited run of 2,500 and includes a slipcase and is signed by Friedman. Hardback books are also available at $49.

The cost to attend the signing is free, but an RSVP is required to guarantee admittance. Contact Tyson Cornell at (310) 659-3684 or e-mail him at tyson@booksoup.com to RSVP.

Publisher Dalton Watson will also take orders from buyers around the world who want to purchase a special limited edition with an inscription from Friedman. For more information, go to www.daltonwatson.com

Gail Jhonson headlines Oct. 1 Green jazz concert

Jhonson jazzes up concert series

Acclaimed jazz keyboardist Gail Jhonson will bring the sounds of Philly to ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus as part of the Green Jazz Series.

The series, sponsored by Arizona State University Online and the Herberger Theater Center, helps low-income families adapt to a “green” lifestyle. Jhonson’s concert takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The second of six concerts that will run through April 2009, the Green Jazz Series combines the blue sounds of jazz with “green concepts” for sustainable living. Flautist Althea Rene kicked off the series on Sept. 4.

Proceeds from the concert series will support the Green Survival Initiative (GSI), a Phoenix-based sustainability project. Through the use of cost-effective green technologies such as compact fluorescent lights, low-flow shower heads and water heater blankets, GSI seeks to mitigate increasing energy costs for approximately 7,000 low- and fixed-income households in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

“We’re hopeful the concert series will help shift the awareness and culture of green living while helping low-income households,” said Mernoy E. Harrison, Jr., ASU Online and Extended Campus vice president and executive vice provost. “The premise is that jazz is the bridge between music and sustainability.”

The initiative will help low-income families make the conversion to a sustainable lifestyle.

“The GSI recognizes that there is a cost to convert to a green lifestyle and those who need it the most might not be able to make that conversion,” said George Brooks, publisher of Southwest Green Magazine, who is an event sponsor. “We believe that once these conversions are made, each household could save anywhere from $300 to $500 annually.”

An educational component is also incorporated into the concerts, including information booths and promotional giveaways.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jhonson began her musical quest at the age of 10. Proving to be a gifted pianist, she advanced quickly, and by the age of 14, landed several jobs playing keyboards with local rhythm and blues and funk bands. She later enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music composition.

Jhonson’s first big break came in 1985 when she toured with Morris Day and the Time. She eventually moved to Los Angeles and collaborated with recording artists Vanessa Williams, Norman Brown, Bobby Womack, Jermaine Jackson, Pink and Peabo Bryson.

Breaking out on her own in 2004, Jhonson’s Keep the Music Playing CD received international acclaim and strong support within the music industry. A year later Jhonson became the musical director for artist Norman Brown on his Summer Storm Tour. Signing with NuGroove Records in 2008, the label produced Pearls, her latest musical release.

Jhonson said the concert series falls in line with her professional and personal beliefs.

“Jazz musicians have always been sensitive about issues relating to the world around them, and many artists I know have adapted to a green lifestyle,” Jhonson said. “I’m proud to be associated with an organization that gives back to the community because I’m all about giving back.”

The Green Jazz Series was conceived and produced by Brotha Love Productions.

What: The Green Jazz Series concert featuring Gail Jhonson

Where: Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix

Tickets: Tickets cost $40 for VIP seats, $20 for general admission and $10 for ASU students with a valid I.D. Call the Herberger Theater box office at (602) 254-7399 or visit www.HerbergerTheater.org.

Marshall Terrill, Marshall.Terrill@asu.edu

(602) 496-1005

ASU Office of Public Affairs