Fine Arts Commons^™

Tenzing Rigdol’S Biography Of A Thought: A Mandala In The Heart Of The Met, Sarah Magnatta

Art and Art History: Faculty Scholarship

In 2024, artist Tenzing Rigdol created an installation - titled Biography of a Thought - spanning the entirety of the atrium in the Robert Lehman wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His larger-than-life mandala included twenty painted panels on four walls, a central podium with a panel on top, and carpets on the floor mirroring parts of the painted shapes on the walls. Complete with bright sunlight streaming from the above skylight, the room transformed into a modern mandala - a walkable, meditative, transformative space. Even with its multiple traditional Tibetan Buddhist components and organisational structure, many of the …

U.S News & World Report 2025 Graduate Program Rankings, Unlv & Unr, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet presents 2025 graduate program rankings for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and for the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) based on the data published in spring 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. The graduate program categories reported include business, education, engineering, fine arts, law, medicine and health care, sciences and mathematics, and social sciences and humanities.

What Is Lost When Time Is Saved: Drawing In Collaboration With The Urban Periphery, Carmen Ribaudo

MFA in Visual Art

I pay attention to the overlooked spaces where land and industry meet, prompting me to wonder what can be gleaned in the oily and cracked urban periphery. With a focus on my hometown St. Louis, this industrial city is my subject matter. And so, I draw in a neighborhood bisected by a highway. I animate with sand near the river confluence on land preserved after a historic flood. I make my own bricks in this Brick City, setting up in locations of former terra cotta clay mines. I sit in the tension of what author Michael Martone calls the “midwestern …

Seating Charts, Connections, And Fostering Community, Mckenna B. Chow

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how fostering stronger connections in the high school ceramics classroom can create a more inclusive and collaborative community. I regularly changed seating charts to encourage new relationships and strengthen classroom culture as part of this effort. Historically, seating charts have enforced uniformity and promoted specific behaviors. My research challenges these traditional purposes and proposes that seating arrangements can instead serve a more meaningful and enduring goal: promoting connection and ensuring that all students feel seen. I found that while seating charts can contribute to this goal, achieving genuine connection and inclusivity also requires several additional factors to …

An Application Of Vocal Pedagogy For Thai Singers, Phitchaya Klimov

Dissertations

Vocal pedagogy incorporates diverse techniques and methodologies that aim to maintain longevity of the voice and to improve vocal performance, range, and tone. While vocal pedagogy has been extensively studied in Western music traditions, its application in the context of Thai singers remains unfamiliar. This dissertation will investigate the application of vocal pedagogy for Thai singers, with a focus on understanding the unique challenges faced by them. It will outline pedagogical approaches to address these challenges and will therefore lead to more authentic performances. “Complete mastery of the voice as an instrument is an idea toward which every singer must …

The Uses Of Dramaturgical Research In Cinematic Storytelling, Asset Design, And Adaptation In Animation, Delaney L. Walker

All Theses

“The Black Hair” is a creative project that explores the convergence of cinematic adaptation, dramaturgical research, and animation design in retelling a traditional Japanese short folktale from the Heian Era. Rooted in the practice of theatrical dramaturgy, this thesis advocates for a research-driven creative pipeline by developing a culturally respectful and historically grounded approach to developing cinematic storyboards. By thoroughly examining the chronicles of history and the sociocultural context, the project seeks to foster deeper cultural appreciation while reintroducing a lesser-known narrative to modern audiences through a visual medium. The project draws stylistic and narrative inspiration from iconic Japanese filmmakers …

A Game Of Chicken: Exploring Religiosity, Gambling, And Acts Of Worship In Ren Galeno's Graphic Novel Sa Wala (Nothing To Lose), Elisha Camille Catimpo

Literary and Cultural Studies Program Faculty Publications

There are few more devout than a gambler. By his nature, he believes in something bigger than himself—be it faith, chance, luck, fortune, or some other greater power. The Philippine tradition of cockfighting, or sabong, is known for its established position in Philippine culture and the superstitious nature of the sabungero. In his 1977 book In Defense of Cockfighting, Nid Anima even goes as far as to claim that the Philippines is the cockfight Mecca of the world. In spite of the contradictory implications, there is a deep religiosity at work here, which makes the sabong unique in the Southeast …

Queer Convergence: Figurative Abstraction In Contemporary Art., Vincent Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exhibition text for the exhibition of the same name held in Schneider Hall Galleries from May 15 to August 21st, 2025. This exhibition explores the work of three contemporary artists – Joshua Jenkins, Drew Scanlon, and Lalana Fedorschak – and analyzes their artwork through the lens of Queer Convergence. Queer Convergence is an exploration of abstracted images of bodies and how we can read these bodies through a queer lens, arguing that the visual language of bodily overlap, melding, and transformation shows the physical form as a site of continual change shaped by shared experience and …

Constructing Sculptural Wearables: Indigenous Steam Education At The Intersection Of Art And Science, Patricia Andersen

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes an approach to STEAM education in which art is viewed as a unique discipline with distinct ways of thinking. The researchers developed and evaluated a STEAM education program to explore how art and science work together to expand and accelerate inventive thinking among Native American middle school students who participated in American Indian Services (AIS) Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP). An important context of this project was the unique local environment and culture that included Diné (din-eh) culture in Gallup, NM. We hypothesize that integrating culturally responsive transdisciplinary art into an existing STEM summer program will increase students' …

Accessible Art: Connecting Community Through Artistic Expression, Michaela M. Speers

Art and Art History Summer Fellows

I answered an important investigative question: How can we use art to connect our community? I illustrated, produced, and installed a “Mini Art Vending Machine” on campus to provide the Ursinus College community easy access to original works of art. I explored visual topics that would connect not only current students, but also prospective students, alumni, and members of the Collegeville community.

The Mini Art Vending Machine's permanent home is within Schellhase Commons. However, the machine will frequently move locations to further enhance events or to bring further exposure to the student artists. You can expect to see it at …

Paisaje De Cataluña Y Valencia. Polimatía Y Epistemología En El Sello Epistolar De Alexander Von Humboldt En Concordancia Con Las Observaciones De Antonio José Cavanilles, Martha Garcia

Homage to Alexander von Humboldt: Travels to and from Spain Throughout the Centuries / Homenaje a Alexander von Humboldt: Viajes hacia y desde España de todos los siglos

Epistolary activity dates to Ancient Greece in affinity with the Roman tradition in which the missive was the most efficient means of communication at a distance. An erudite knowledge of the subject was required since the content would be recorded in posterity. Polymathy and epistemology were therefore required in daily practice of writing encyclicals from the society of Medieval era up to the pinnacle of the epistolary genre during Humanism. The letter, therefore, implied the fact that the writer was out from the territory of the point of departure and the recipient of the correspondence was distant. This exegesis focuses …

Through The Glass Darkly: Cross-Cultural Collaboration And The Experimental Adaptation Of Shakespeare, James Thompson

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Through the Glass Darkly is an experimental Australian-Indonesian film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, employing fragmented narratives, hallucinatory imagery, and cross-cultural spiritual frameworks to explore violence, guilt, and moral corruption. The project emerged from a collaboration between Australian and Indonesian film professionals and educators. Drawing on trauma cinema aesthetics and Indonesian mystical traditions (Kebatinan, Rangda masks), the adaptation structures itself around five vignettes: prophecy, murder, hallucination, retribution, and washing. The filmmaker employs a "heuretic" research methodology, prioritizing exploration over interpretation, to create a hybrid cultural text that interrogates Western canonical literature through postcolonial perspectives while navigating censorship through international collaboration.

Reveltion Perth International Film Festival Academic Conference 2025, James Thompson

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

The Revelation International Film Festival conference invites vibrant discussions and debates, exploring creative practice and praxis, and the theoretical surrounds of contemporary cinematic and screen culture.

Revelation stands as Australia’s exclusive international film festival integrating academic discourse within its renowned screening program. Our mission extends beyond screens, sharing compelling discoveries with audiences across the country and beyond. Embracing a pivotal role in fostering film discourse and analysis, Revelation is a cornerstone in Australian cinematic dialogue.

Under the auspices of SAE University College Perth, the academic conference took place at the SAE campus 116-120 Roe St.  Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia.

The …

Heartlines Issue 6 (Fall 2025), Student Literary Magazine Creative Writing And Art

HeartLines

No abstract provided.

Toys And Gems, Neil Mattern

Theses - ALL

This thesis presents an overview of the body of work I have developed during my time at Syracuse University, along with the concepts, motivations, and experiences that inform it. It examines how my education has shaped both my artistic voice and technical approach, tracing the influence of key mentors, historical and contemporary artists, and personal experiences. The document also provides detailed descriptions of my process, with particular attention to copperplate etching and the integration of commercial aesthetics into fine art practice. Finally, it outlines the future trajectory of my work through the lens of NeilMart LLC - my evolving platform …

Where The Soul Belongs: The Search For A Meaningful Life Through Han Funerary Art — With A Focus On The Mawangdui T-Shaped Painting And Jinqueshan Han Tomb Silk Painting, Tong Su

Theses - ALL

Perceptions of life and death are deeply embedded in the artistic expressions of a society, shaped by its cultural, philosophical and social environment. This study explores how funerary paintings from the early Han dynasty - the Mawangdui T-shaped painting and the Jinqueshan Han tomb silk painting - reflect evolving views of life and the afterlife under changing social conditions. While both paintings derive from the funerary traditions of Chu culture and Daoist beliefs in immortality, their differences highlight a significant shift: the Mawangdui T-Shaped Painting emphasizes ascent to the heavenly world through nature worship and ancestral connections, while the Jinqueshan …

From Descent To Creation – Women Descenders In Katabasis Stories, Ruilin Shi

Theses - ALL

Katabasis, the journey to the underworld and back, is a classic narrative in mythologies and modern literature around the world. However, the uniqueness of the women descenders and the connection between the underworld and femininity remain underexamined. This thesis examines the differences between men and women descenders in Katabasis narratives, including their different narrative structures, relationship with the underworld, and psychological needs in this journey. Using a comparative analysis of classical and modern katabasis narratives, this study employs a feminine perspective to examine the classic descent stories across different cultures and time periods. The student reveals the unexamined reasons why …

Illustration As Analysis: Discussing Gender Bias And Stereotypes In The Design Of Female Characters In Chinese Video Games, Hanyu Shi

Theses - ALL

This research is dedicated to examining gender bias in the design of female characters in Chinese video games, and exploring how illustration strategies can effectively promote the transformation of female characters from stereotypical and one-dimensional to more diverse and three-dimensional representations.Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this research synthesizes and applies a multifaceted research approach that includes a literature review, sociological and feminist theoretical frameworks, semi-structured interviews, in-depth case studies, and visual cultural analysis. By combing the existing literature and several computer game cases on the market, this research reveals the profound influence of traditional cultural concepts …

Exploring Self-Narratives Through Visual Art: How Young Female Artists Form Their Identity, Jingyang Zhou

Theses - ALL

This paper focuses on exploring how female artists are able to develop their identity from research on self-narratives in their work. Many artist with a strong and unique voice incorporates aspects of their personality and perspective into their work (Robinson, 1985). Among them, I have observed that contemporary female artists in their twenties have navigated social changes and experienced psychological struggles while striving to understand themselves and find their role in the society. In this process, self-narratives have emerged as a vital and indispensable tool. In this paper, I will study the related theories, study the work of historical and …

Aproximaciones A La Cultura Contemporánea: Un Encuentro De La Visualidad, La Narrativa, La Semiótica Y Su Didáctica, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Iván Ávila-González Phd, Emilce Beatriz Sánchez Castellón Phd, Gabriel Segundo Iguarán Montiel Msc, Juan Carlos González Vidal Phd, Ximena Díaz-Santillán B.A., Andrea Alejandra Echeverría Barrios B.A, Diana Estefanía Martínez Dagnino B.A, Edgar Ávila González Phd, Diana Esperanza Álvarez Campos B.A, Aurora Mariazell Romero Martínez Msc, José Abraham Mitre Lázaro Msc

STEM for Success Resources

Este volumen reúne reflexiones críticas y propuestas analíticas que convergen en tres ejes:

La voz, la identidad y el cuerpo.

Producto de la colaboración entre la Uniguajira y la Facultad de Letras de la Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Aproximaciones a la Cultura Contemporánea: un encuentro de la visualidad, la narrativa, la semiótica y su didáctica articula un corpus interdisciplinario que examina fenómenos culturales actuales desde perspectivas semióticas, literarias, pedagógicas y visuales.

A través de una estructura rizomática, el libro desborda los límites tradicionales de los campos académicos para ofrecer una cartografía flexible de lectura, en la que …