A Theatrical Exploration of Immigration in the United States

by

Matthew Greene and Dr. Wade Hollingshaus, Theatre and Media Arts The purpose of my ORCA project was to create a piece of theatre centering on the issue of immigration in the United States. I wrote in my proposal: “Illegal immigration is a significant issue in the current political, economic, and social arenas. In exploring this […]

Fit for the Kingdom : Two French Documentaries

by

John Forbyn and Dr. Dean Duncan, Theatre and Media Arts While spending May/June/July 2009 in Paris, France, to conduct an Individual Field Study and complete my Honors Thesis, I worked to produce two short (4-8 minute) films examining the lives of immigrant students and refugees in France who have recently converted to the LDS church. […]

Turning to the East: A Study of Traditional Japanese Ceramic Art

by

Katie Louise Ellis My orca grant project was focused mainly on two areas: first, learning traditional Japanese pottery making techniques through primary experience on a trip to Japan studying with Kosei Tamaya, and second, observing the work of Japanese master potters at a number of national museums and galleries. As I did more research and […]

Images of the Modern Day Family

by

Leslie Duke and Professor Richard Hull, Department of Visual Arts This project was an exciting exploration into the realms of both art and society. Originally, as was stated in my grant proposal, the goal of this project was to create a series of narrative illustrations depicting the dynamics of the modern day family, particularly focusing on […]

Physics in Art A video Exploration of Elements of the String Theory

by

Paige Crosland and Professor Joseph Ostraff, Visual Arts The string theory, also known as the “great unifying theory,” finds middle ground between the long at-odds theories of quantum physics and general relativity. The “strings” in this theory are tiny pieces of matter, smaller than protons and neutrons, which make up the world, as we know it. […]

The Lives and Works of Bernard and Jan Stiastny: Creating a Modern Performance Edition

by

Seth Castleton and Professor Julie Bevan, Cello Professor-School of Music The violoncello emerged as a vehicle of virtuosity starting in the latter half of the 17th Century and continued to gain prestige as a capable solo instrument throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Modern cellists are aware of the plethora of excellent romantic and modern/post-modern solo […]

From the Iron Curtain to the European Union: The Influence of Changing Political Structures on Romanian Family Life

by

Jessica Bingham and Professor Val Brinkerhoff, Photography Over the past sixty years, Romania has had a tumultuous and transitive history. This country, nestled quietly between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea, once maintained its traditional social structure, inhibiting a shift toward rapid modernization. This, however, changed drastically in the late 1940s when the Communist party […]

Western Short Film

by

Vanessa Barney and Dr. Darl Larsen, Department of Theatre and Media Arts The goal of this project was to produce a short film on 35mm while providing practical field research opportunities for many students in the Media Arts program, including myself. I was initially responsible for writing and directing the film, but also ended up […]