May 10, 2017
Whoa. Transported indeed. That’s the thought I had when I, and a few of my colleagues, ventured out into the pouring rain last Friday afternoon to check out the newest exhibit at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. “The Transported Man” is the largest exhibition on view since the museum’s opening in 2012 and is also ridiculously cool. Like, there’s-a-life-sized-fake-elephant-hanging-from-the-ceiling by-its-trunk cool. There are spaghetti walls and colored mirrors and all sorts of interesting things to make you look at things differently. Oh, and crickets. Did I mention the live crickets? (Don’t worry, they’re not harmed, they’re totally happy and chirping away in a natural habitat.)
Seriously, if you’re anywhere near campus from now until Oct. 22, you really should check it out. (The museum is free and open to the public from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.) Even if modern art isn’t your thing, I would still bet that you’ll see something that strikes your fancy. Not to mention, the building itself is a masterpiece of art itself. Love what you see or even hate it, it will always make you think. That’s what art is all about.
Those of us who ventured out on the short walk over to the museum have been really busy lately. But there’s something magical about doing something different that invigorates the mind and soothes the soul. It was exactly what we needed.
That’s the great thing about MSU. There are a ton of things to see and do and learn about that makes life a lot more interesting. A day doesn’t go by when you can’t find something on campus that gives you a different perspective.
Recently, I attended a lunch sponsored by the Campus Archaeology Program that replicated what a campus menu from 1860 might have looked like. Based on their campus dig findings, research with the University Archives and MSU Library, and the MSU chefs, they were able to present a pretty accurate portrayal of a time gone by. Who knew chow-chow and cod balls are actually downright tasty? (You can learn more about it on the CAP site.)
Again, I was almost too busy to go, but I’m so glad I didn’t miss out. Just an hour away from my desk learning about campus history, tasting new things, talking with some pretty interesting people, and looking at student life in a different way gave me new energy to get back to work.
Hannah Robar, who graduated last weekend, took full advantage of all the opportunities students have to look at things differently. A double major in global studies and studio art with a concentration in photography and two minors in art history and Chinese, four study abroad experiences and several internships, she really made the most of her time here. Check out her MSUTODAY STUDENT VIEW: Paths to explore, to learn more about her student experience.
Jennifer Cobbina is an associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice who makes it her business to look at things with a different lens than others might. Her work looking at the corrections system and those who are incarcerated has led to a term on Michigan’s Correctional Officers’ Training Council. Check out her MSUTODAY FACULTY VOICE: Correctional Officer Training, to learn about her work.
No matter if it’s new cultures, old history, different populations or even a fake elephant hanging from a ceiling, Spartans always look past the obvious, gain a new perspective and dig a little deeper. Spartans know that looking at something differently is key to understanding the world around us. Knowledge is power and Spartans have the power to change the world. Spartans Will.
Lisa Mulcrone
Editor, MSUToday
@LMulcrone
Photo by Katie Kelly