Ceremonial Mace and Medallion

While rummaging through old file cabinets in her office the other day, Becky stumbled upon some old newspapers. In them she found this article about the Ceremonial Mace and Medallion that Dave Pimentel created for the University in 1982.

The mace and medallion are only worn/held by the president of the university.

This part of the article was particularly humorous.

We decided to track down where the Mace and Medallion are housed and ask if we could come to see them in person. The director of University Ceremonies, Melissa Werner, got back to us immediately and said she would love to have us come! So, we took a little field trip to the ASU Foundation and got to see and touch Dave's beautifully crafted work.

Becky wanted to hold the mace.
So did Victoria. Front and back of the medallion.

Some details of the mace.

We had a great time and really appreciated being able to see Dave's work in person. We are glad that ASU is continuing his legacy, and that we can be a part of it.

To find out more about the mace and medallion click here or here.

BFA Graduate: Tomoko Uehara

Tomoko Uehara

"I am always collecting fun and interesting objects. My tendency to collect attractive objects comes from my own background growing up in Japan. The country is flooded with cute and odd trinkets. They captivate people and it creates a sort of consummerism in Japan. My country is obsessed with cute and fun oddities and this is somewhat a reflection into my own life. I am one of those people. My work is an explaination of this idea of consummerism.

I hope to continue pushing the idea of consumerism in the future. This is because we as a human race are all tied to our things. We are tied to rings, tied to jewelry, or even stuffed animals and other unecessary objects."

BFA Graduate: Min Won Kim

Jewelry Sale!!

ASU Metals Goes Green!

Currently in the ASU Metals shop, we are going green and joining in on the recycling effort! Victoria and Becky decided it would be a good idea to collect cans for new tools! Help us reach our goal to buy a new dapping punch set by donating your cans to the studio today!

A special thanks to Garret for going the EXTRA mile by donating bike parts! Thanks Garret!

BFA Graduate: Lauren Diggs

Lauren Diggs
Strange Ways

"I have always been fascinated by human behavior. Observing other humans has made me realize how unique some of our behaviors are. I’m especially curious about our reactions to frustration or anxiety. It seems that these emotions can become physically painful, mimicking the sensation of needles in one’s eye. More curious how we deal with these emotions, finding solace in a medicated state of mind.

More recently, I have become interested in the way that humans interact with their environment. While we are a part of nature, we often react to it in entirely unnatural ways. I have found that rather than living with the natural world, we tend to destroy it, sterilize it, build structures upon it, and then attempt to recreate it in designated areas. I address these ideas in my work by using geometric and natural forms that occupy the same space, much like human structures and plants or insects do.

By creating these ideas in metal, I feel that it gives them structure, makes them more permanent and relatable. I hope that in viewing these pieces, people take the opportunity to consider their own emotions and reactions. I want people to think about these strange behaviors and the way that they make us uniquely human. "

The Opening

Congratulations to Lauren Diggs, Min Won Kim, and Tomoko Uehara for the opening of their BFA Thesis Exhibition. Here are some pictures from the reception, but check back soon for images from each of their undergraduate portfolios!

(pictured above from left, Lauren Diggs, Kyleen Jeans, Min Won Kim, and Tomoko Uehara)

The gallery was packed!

Lizeth Garcia (sculpture BFA) and Ellie Richards (woods grad).

Tomoko next to one of her pieces.
Min talking about her piece with a friend.

Congratulations Lizeth!
Tomoko and her boyfriend JJ Chalupnick.

Proud Professor, Becky McDonah, with soon to be graduated Tomoko.
Part of the metals crew (from left), Jonathan Brown, Kazumi Ito, Lynette Andreasen, Tomoko Uehara, Lauren Diggs, and Victoria Altepeter.
Lauren and Lynette.
Jonathan, Lauren, and Victoria.

Yay!
Tom Eckert and Tomoko.

Jonathan and Tomoko.

We will miss you guys!