Complete Conference Program - Wellesley College

1:30–2:40pm
Asian American Studies:
Why it Matters to Everyone
(panel discussion) Founders Hall 120
Bernice Y. Chan ’16, Undeclared, Karina
S. Chan ’16, Undeclared, Julie Chen ’15,
Undeclared, Christie H. Lee ’14, Political
Science, Rebecca J. Leo ’13, Chinese Language
& Literature and American Studies, Sukin Sim
’16, Undeclared, Kily A. Wong ’16, Undeclared,
Ya Yun Zhang ’13, Sociology and Economics
AdvisoR: T. James Kodera, Religion
The Wellesley Asian Alliance has been advocating
for Asian American Studies and raising awareness
of Asian American issues at Wellesley College
since its founding in 1994. With the movement
for Asian American Studies rising along East
Coast colleges, and a rapidly increasing Asian
American population, Asian American issues are
becoming more salient to the general population.
Furthermore, the histories of minorities are
interconnected through countless commonalities
from their experiences at Wellesley and in a
larger American context. For instance, it has been
reported that in Wellesley’s history, Asian students
and students of African descent used to be forced
to room with their respective ethnicities, or be in
their own singles. This presentation covers that
history of Asians in relation to other minorities at
Wellesley and in America. WAA will also discuss
what exactly Asian American Studies is and why it
matters, especially to those not of Asian descent.
From the Sublime to the
Ridiculous, And Back Again
(long performance) Ruth Nagel Jones
Theatre, Alumnae Hall
Jane E. Adkins ’13, Women's & Gender Studies,
Rachel E. Cherny ’13, History and Classical
Civilization, Margaret E. Dunn ’13, English
and Theatre Studies, Vannessa K. Greenleaf ’14,
Theatre Studies, Hilary J. Gross ’13, English,
Elizabeth M. Jaye ’15, Classics, Alexa P. Keegan
’14, Psychology and French, Lindsay S. Rico
’13, Theatre Studies, Emily M. Shortt ’13,
Biological Chemistry, Annie Wang ’14, Art
History and Cinema and Media Studies
AdvisoR: Nora Hussey, Theatre Studies
Each academic year, there are nearly a dozen
theatrical productions put on by students across
the campus. From the large-scale productions
of the theatre department, the classical work of
the Shakespeare society, and the independent
projects of Upstage and theatre majors. This
presentation shows off short scenes from each
of the eclectic performances presented to the
community throughout the year.
Exploring the Musical
Vibrancy of the Baroque
through Eighteenth Century
Instruments
(long performance) Pendleton Hall
West 220
Elizabeth M. Bachelder ’13, Economics,
Samantha M. Stephens ’14, Physics, Madeline
M. Thayer ’15, Classics and German Studies
AdvisoR: Suzanne Stumpf, Music
Playing on period instruments provides
critical historical insight into the rich sound
world of the eighteenth century. Since
Baroque repertoire was conceived and
composed with the sounds and technical
capabilities of these instruments in mind,
historical instruments are naturally able to
express the character and phrasing of the
repertoire. Further, the construction of these
instruments creates built-in color variations
between keys that likely would have been
anticipated by composers. Although many
modern instruments resemble their historical
counterparts, their respective timbres and
performance practices often differ greatly.
This presentation will feature a concert
of solo and trio sonatas for harpsichord,
traverso, and viola da gamba, along with a
discussion about the instruments and the
benefits of performing on period instruments.
From Calves to Kindles:
The History of the Book
(on location presentation)
Special Collections, Clapp Library
Cassandra L. Hoef ’15, Computer Science,
Dominique R. Ledoux ’14, Art History,
Morgan E. Moore ’15, Medieval/Renaissance
Studies, Polina N. Soshnin ’14, Computer
Science and Economics
AdvisoR: Ruth Rogers, Library Collections
Some of the most brilliant ideas, inventions
and philosophies were all imagined hundreds
of years ago. Modern philosophy and technology
have evolved from these thoughts but
would have never survived past their conception
if it were not for the means of preserving
them that were developed over the last
several millennia. The process of preserving
information through books is studied in Art
History 299: The History of the Book from
Manuscript to Print, which is taught by Ruth
Rodgers in the Special Collections Library at
Wellesley College. Starting with the creation
of writing supports and ending with a bound
book, students discover with hands on activi-
ties what life would have been like spreading
ideas before the digital age. A large amount
of consideration is given to how great works
are valued now when read digitally compared
to years ago when each line would have been
carefully hand-written.
Tactile History: The Story of
Wellesley College's Textile
Collection
(on location presentation) Print Room,
Davis Museum
Sara M. Putterman ’13, Art History and Religion
AdvisoR: Jacqueline Musacchio, Art
Why does Wellesley College have a collection
of European textiles that range from
velvet dress borders and silk damasks to
liturgical garments? Given to Wellesley
College in 1875 as the centerpiece of a
study collection for art history students,
this collection has been in storage for years.
What did nineteenth century trustees,
professors, and students see in this group
of fragmentary, poorly documented textiles
that made them a valuable teaching tool?
Analyzing examples of textiles dating from
the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, I
will examine Wellesley College’s pioneering
efforts towards creating a collegiate museum
that taught students with objects beyond
traditional painting and sculpture.
Het Achterhuis: The Diary
of Anne Frank Revisited
(exhibition) Jewett Arts Center-Gallery
Danielle R. Ezor ’13, Art History and Studio Art
AdvisoR: Phyllis McGibbon, Art
Anne Frank was immortalized through her
diary, later published by her father as
The Diary of a Young Girl, which detailed her
experience as a Jew in hiding in Amsterdam.
Het Achterhuis, as an altered version of Anne
Frank's diary, highlights Anne's experience,
in reaction to calls to ban the book because of
its depressing content. This altered version of
The Diary of a Young Girl includes digitally
printed images and text, letterpress, sewing,
guache paintings, cutouts, and linoleum
prints all on a variety of different papers. The
altered text block was bound in a new case
with additional weight added in the covers in
the form of copper plates. This exhibition will
also include side projects associated with
the altered book and the artist's personal
experience with the Holocaust and remembrance
art.
WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 31