What Brandeis creative arts faculty have been up to this summer
From top left, clockwise: The set of “RUR A Torrent of Light,” designed by Cameron Anderson; A performance by the Brandeis Chamber Singers led by Robert Duff; Joe Wardwell's "Gotta Go to Work, Gotta Go to Work, Gotta Get a Job;" A poster for Robert Walsh-directed "Grand Horizons."
When Brandeis' creative arts faculty aren't working with students on campus, they can often be found in art galleries, museums, theaters, and performance halls.
This summer, Brandeis arts faculty have had a full slate of activity across the country, around the world, and closer to home.
From eye-catching art installations to unforgettable theater productions, to moving concert performances, here is a look at what some of the faculty are up to:
April 15 to June 4
Mitsu Salmon, assistant professor of theater arts
"Somatic Tracing"
The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
Salt Lake City, Utah
The performance art exhibition by Salmon was a collection of large-scale movement-based color field paintings and soundscapes.
May 23 to 30
Robert Duff, associate professor of the practice of music
Paris, France
The Brandeis Chamber Singers, directed by Duff, gave a performance tour of Paris and Normandy
May 26 to September 5
Joseph Wardwell, associate professor of painting
“Revival: Materials and Monumental Forms”
ICA Watershed
East Boston, Mass.
The exhibition features an installation by Wardwell called "Gotta Go to Work, Gotta Go to Work, Gotta Get a Job,” which includes quotes from actual workers interviewed for Brandeis professor Karen V. Hansen’s Cascading Lives Project.
May 28 to June 5
Cameron Anderson, associate professor of theater arts
“RUR A Torrent of Light”
Tapestry Opera, Toronto
Anderson designed the set for the world premiere of the opera production, composed by Nicole Lizée and directed by Michael Mori.
Sheida Soleimani, assistant professor of fine arts
"Pillars of Industry"
Castello San Basilio
San Basilio, Italy
"Pillars of Industry" is Soleimani's first solo exhibition in Italy, following her residency at Castello San Basilio. Her residency focused on ILVA, Italy’s largest and most pollutive steel plant, and the ethical questions surrounding how large entities operate.
June and July
David Rakowski, Walter W. Naumburg Professor of Composition
Rakowski was a composer in residence at Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where he finished a saxophone quartet called "6:20" and wrote a solo viola piece called "Open Season" for Michael Hall.
Lydian String Quartet
Performance at Duke University
Durham, N.C.
The Lydian String Quartet performed at Duke as a guest of the Ciompi Quartet’s summer chamber music series, where they performed Andrew Waggoner’s 5th Quartet in addition to string quintets by Harbison and Schubert.
June 11 to 26
Mark Berger, associate professor of the practice of music
Third Dimension Music Festival
Astoria, Oregon
Berger performed eight concerts as part of the festival, along with members of the Grammy-nominated Hermitage Piano Trio and other internationally renowned soloists and chamber musicians.
July
Julia Glenn, associate professor of the practice of music
ArtsLIVE!
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
Manchester, Vermont
Conference Ensemble for 2022 Composers Conference
Brandeis campus
Glenn performed at all three events. She also recorded "china is the future48," a solo album of contemporary Chinese music, this summer.
July and August
Jessica Jahn, lecturer in theater arts
"Castor and Patience"
Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati, Ohio
"The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson"
Glimmerglass Festival
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Jahn designed the costumes for both productions.
July 29 to August 21
Robert Walsh, associate professor of the practice of theater arts
“Grand Horizons”Gloucester Stage
Gloucester, Mass.
Walsh directed the New England premiere of the play, written by Bess Wohl.
