Talking to Tesla: Exploring the creative process

Many believe that art holds a great power. A power to change communities, neighborhoods, and most importantly a single person, both through the experiencing and creation of art. Art has the capacity to move and inspire a person to great heights.

One great artist, who has gone even further than creating amazing visual art, is Alex Bigney, a professor of art here at UVU. Not only has Bigney inspired many through his paintings, but also through the searching of his dreams and discovering a knew approach to the creative process. This new approach has even influenced the new curriculum currently being used for the study of the arts and humanities at UVU.

Just a few weeks ago on October 9th, Alex Bigney was honored with the Salt Lake Best of Broadway, at their gala and awards ceremony for his book, Talking to Tesla. Talking to Tesla "is literally an artists journal," says Cheryl Snapp Conner of Snapp Conner PR.

Bigney describes his book as such, "the strange relationship between art and artist. I like to think that it's almost anyone's memoir, the internal workings and explorations that are common to most people-those tender recollections of childhood, the thoughtful constructs of our more private fantasies, and the shared self-conscious inquiries that make us aware beings. It is about the magic of inspiration in an average life."

At the urging of his wife, Marilyn and a good friend Kent Wing, Bigney began recording his dreams, as "they were teaching him intense lessons about the creative process," says Cheryl Snapp Conner. These dreams held intricate symbolism and often included episodes of his life and childhood memories.

There were also of course many elaborate and detailed dreams, many of which involved close conversations with the scientist Nicola Tesla, who he had not been familiar with prior to having the dreams. This helped Bigney recognize a them: "artist or not, there is inspiration and creativity in every life, waiting to be discovered."

Conner describes the impact this book is having, not only here but around the world, "the book has captured a strong and growing following in the United States and Europe, and even China as readers have become enamored of the book and its ideas, as well as the fact that it is a book that 'inspires without preaching' which is a welcome source of encouragement and enrichment in our current hard times."

"I naively thought that writing Talking to Tesla might take a few months, especially since I'd been keeping good notes on each of Tesla's visits. Several years later, after trips to Croatia to Tesla's birthplace, trips to museums and monasteries in Italy, and solid months of analyzing my notes, reflecting on the impact of what I've been learning from Tesla on my life and art making, and writing, writing, and writing, the book finally went to press," Bigney commented on his writing experience, in an interview with Catalyst Magazine.

The newly formed Community Alliance has worked intensely to create the Salt Lake Broadway, a mimic of the Broadway in New York, filled with enriching art and music. It's purpose is to magnify and make visible all the art that Utah artists have created, and make it more available to the public. People of all ages can go and there will be something that will appeal to them, and they can cultivate an appreciation for the arts and everything that is happening there, no matter what time of the year.

Salt Lake's Broadway also provides an opportunity for new and aspiring artists to showcase their talents. "The vision of Salt Lake Broadway is to create a gathering place for Utah's finest artists offerings, and to make this rich array of music, art, theater and culinary experience available to all," the Salt Lake Broadway website describes their mission.

To find out more information or to order Talking to Tesla, visit Bigney's site, www.talkingtotesla.com. And to find out how to become involved with the Salt Lake Broadway visit, saltlakebroadway.org.

Whether art has the power to inspire us, or whether it's our past experiences and childhood that inspires the art, there is something magical about the process. Bigney states in his book, "[there are] times when I remember and wish bitterly through grownup tears to return to childhood." Art in some ways holds the energy to wisp us back to those beautiful carefree days of childhood or it can push some much needed beauty and abatement of stress into our grownup lives.

Whatever the case may be, the arts and the process by which we create it can inundate our lives with the blooms of spring and make clear the mysteries of winter, and Alex Bigney has uncovered a new path to explore.

Symphonic Potpourri

Utah is a very unique state with so many Universities packed closely together, and many of which are less than sixty miles apart. Two of those Universities are UVU and BYU.

Last year in celebration of UVU becoming a University, Eric Hansen, associate professor at BYU came up with the idea of bringing together both the BYU and UVU symphonic orchestras and creating a beautiful blend of music and students. The collaborative efforts were a great success, which prodded the directors, Eric Hansen and Donna Fairbanks to give it another try, "and it should be better this year, because we've learned things from doing it last year, it's going to be fabulous," says Donna Fairbanks, director of UVU string studies.

Putting on a production such as this is actually quite difficult. "Logistically it's been tricky, because neither school has a practice room to house both orchestras, so we really have to wait till just before the concert to rehearse as a group. We can't do it any other way," Fairbanks explained.

However, after all the difficulties are ironed out, and all is said and done, this idea of collaboration and working together as neighboring Universities is all about "fostering fun and playing together as Universities," said Eric Hansen. Hansen loves the opportunity to share talents and produce amazing things together.

A great part of last year's production, which will also be included this year, is the featuring of different musical instructors. Last year Donna Fairbanks soloed, she commented, "I was highlighted last year and this year it seemed appropriate to highlight Eric Hansen," on the string bass. For anyone familiar with the string bass, they know that there are few pieces that feature a solo for this instrument, so this will be especially exciting to hear. Hansen described his solo as, "a step in the confidence darkness." Hansen will be playing Eccles Sonata, for string bass and orchestra.

Also to be featured this year is Matthew Nelson, who is a brand new faculty member, "and a fabulous clarinetist," as Fairbanks describes him. Nelson will be playing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, "it deserves recognition it's going to be great," says Fairbanks.

The students who participate in this grand event have really enjoyed getting to know the students from just a few miles away. "They sit next to their counter parts from the other schools and enjoyed getting to know the other students," says Fairbanks. She also says, "We have these two Universities so close, it makes all the sense in the world to do a collaborative effort. It's a new venture, and hopefully it'll become a tradition. So far it's been a lot of fun, we've enjoyed it."

As it's name beautifully describes, the "Symphonic Potpourri" will include symphonic classics, though none in their entirety, as well as popular show tune type music. There will be different styles, feelings and moods, as Hansen describes, there will be a "retro feel to the concert."

This fantastic evening which will be highlighting a mixture of music as well as students and faculty talent will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at the Covey Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.00, or $5.00 for students and seniors. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what is possible when two groups of talented musicians come together to celebrate the beauty which is music.

Bringing together the two threads of science and creativity

Warp and Weave. Some may be curious as to where a name like Warp and Weave originated from, though it is quite a fitting name for the English department sponsored publication. Just as science fiction and fantasy can be woven together to create an intriguing tale, weavers would weave together the warp, or the lengthwise threads of fabric, with the woof (weave), or crosswise threads. This publication consists of sensational stories that are spun in true chimerical and creative fashion. Warp and Weave alludes to the idea of "bringing together the two threads of science and creativity," says Charles Vogel, student advisor for the publication. Warp and Weave is a student journal of fiction and fantasy writings that began as a class project in a classroom over six years ago. Jen Wahlquist and Jolayne Call would collect their student's work and have them bound together. Students enjoyed the idea of having all theirs and their classmates work in one place and began requesting additional copies, and this is where the publication began. Fantasy and science fiction are very popular here in Utah, "if you don't believe me, just go watch the Twilight movie," says Charles Vogel. UVU even offers several science fiction classes, creative writing classes, and even classes that focus on the work of J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who are known for their fantastical writing. There is something exciting about living in a semi-real, semi-magical world. For many readers of fantasy and science fiction, it is a way to take your mind off the present and dream of the impossible. Fantasy is imagination that is unrestricted by reality. And in our world of constantly changing and evolving technologies, science fiction, with it's inclusion of fantastical elements as well speculative scientific components, are always very thrilling to explore.

Many have noticed the posters throughout the halls of our University that encouraged aspiring writers to submit their work. The deadline was October 2nd and on October 7th, judges began sifting through the many submissions to select the best work to be included in the publication due to come out at the beginning of December, and to be posted on the National Gallery on October 20th, which is the National Day on Writing. The judging criteria was determined by the current publications staff, which is made up of students and faculty advisors. Warp and Weave takes submissions not only from English majors, but from all majors, as well as members of the community. One of the great things about Warp and Weave is the great opportunity it provides for students to learn the process of taking a publication from the idea stage to the final stages, and ultimately, a book. This provides a practical educational experience to those students involved. Not only does this provide opportunities for writers in the area, but it also provides the opportunity for artists and art students to submit their original artwork. Some artists will even volunteer to create artwork that compliments the writing submissions. This publication is produced each fall and spring, and students have the occasion to compete for the coveted position of editor. Also, a new faculty advisor will have the chance to oversee the publication each fall and spring semester, this semester, Charles Vogel is the student advisor for the Warp and Weave publication. Writers who are published in Warp and Weave retain the rights to their work, and can publish in other avenues at any time and many will enthusiastically refine their work to be published subsequently. Charles Vogel describes Warp and Weave as "a great learning experience for the students in the production process. People on the staff can't publish their own pieces when they're on the staff, so they're only interested in helping fellow students, and they're also learning the editing and publishing process. It's also a way to reach out to the community, and that's a very nice aspect." Warp and Weave is a great way for students to try their hand at writing and expose themselves to the publication world. Though only about 10-15% of submissions can be included, the process will give writers invaluable feedback and insight to help them improve their work. Often times, past submissions will be amended and enriched by the writers to be used for a later publication. Writers are urged not to be discouraged should their work not be included in the journal, but to view the process as a valuable juncture to grow and improve their abilities.

Even if not looking to write or create artwork, Warp and Weave has something to offer the students of UVU as well as members of the community. This is an opportunity to explore something new as well as support our fellow students. It can also provide the students of UVU a chance to be carried away in a world of make belief, even if for just a short time. Maybe this exciting publication will even help relieve some stress before finals. Don't dismiss the exhilarating prospect of traversing a world that enjoys "bringing together the two threads of science and creativity," (Charles Vogel)

Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

There is something magical about the autumn season, the leaves changing into brilliant colors and a cool breeze floating in the air. The holiday season really begins to take off as preparations for Halloween begin. What began as an Irish custom of carving gourds and turnips, became a well loved tradition of pumpkin carving, for many throughout America. After arriving in the new world the Irish quickly switched from the smaller gourd, to the larger pumpkin, as it is understandably easier to carve. The carved pumpkin, or Jack 'O' Lantern, was originally lit with a lump of coal and placed in windowsills to ward off unpleasant spirits. This was followed by the use of candles and today some even use battery powered lights. Though the Jack 'O' Lantern has changed through the years, one thing has remained constant, the amusement and regalement that comes from choosing and carving your very own pumpkin.

There are many places to find the perfect pumpkin for carving and showing off our Halloween spirt. However, the experience of carving the pumpkin is enhanced if it begins in the right place. It may begin differently for each individual person, perhaps quickly browsing through the grocery store selection is adequate for some. Or maybe it's the "Disneyland" of pumpkin patches, the patch that is perfectly groomed and surrounded by pristine landscaping and paved paths, that is the preference of others. However, don't dismiss the engaging atmosphere offered by a real farm, with real pumpkin patches, and yes, even weeds and dirt. There is something to be said for riding an old rickety wagon drawn by an old John Deer tractor to a large pumpkin patch and spending some time wandering, trudging through the dirt and weeds, and finding that flawless pumpkin. There are many local farms throughout Utah Valley that offer this kind of ambiance, allowing each person to be personally involved in the selection of that ideal pumpkin. One particular farm in southern Utah Valley is Southridge Farms in Santaquin. Famous for it's "Big Red Barn" and "sour cherries," this little gem has much more to offer. It is a real working farm, and though the farm doesn't make a lot of money from it's pumpkin patches, they continue to do wagon rides to their expansive patches every year, because they enjoy providing the opportunity for families and friends to experience a real farm together.

After arriving at the optimal location, the question is how to recognize the "right" pumpkin? It's good to choose one with a stem, as it will generally last longer. A lighter tinted orange pumpkin will be easier to carve than a darker one, the skin gets tougher as the color gets darker. It's also good to try to pick one without holes or soft spots. But from there the specifics are a matter of personal preference. Whether it's an orange, yellow, green or white pumpkin, chances are the perfect one is out there. Like people there are pumpkins of every size and shape, perhaps a tall pumpkin will work better this year, or maybe it's that fat short one that will display the spooky face best. Whichever size, shape, or color is fitting, be sure to take the time to soak in the mood while choosing the one that will display original personality and unique flare this Halloween season.

Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" (Article number two)

The Lost Symbol: Fact and fiction?

By Andrea Lindgren on 28 September 2009

Local Freemasons speak out on Dan Brown’s latest novel

At midnight, Sept. 15, the much anticipated Dan Brown novel The Lost Symbol became

available for readers to delve into and get lost in. Among the group of midnight purchasers was

John Liley, Director of PR for the Grand Lodge,of Free and Accepted Masons of Utah. The

Lost Symbol integrates themes of Masonry and even has a few characters that are Masons. The

Freemasons of Utah were understandably a little apprehensive and worried about Dan Brown’s

new book and how they would be portrayed in it.

“It turned out the book was quite favorable for us … a big sigh of relief that we weren’t the bad

guys,” Liley said in response to the new book. When asked how he felt Brown had done in

portraying the Masons, his response was, “It is a bit of fiction, but basic themes of Freemasonry

such as religious tolerance, belief in a supreme being, things of that nature are true … As far as

the rituals and all that fancy stuff, things you can get off the Internet, I wouldn’t necessarily

believe that to be true.” All in all, Brown did a fair job at accurately portraying the Masons,

with only small amounts of fictitious embellishments thrown in.

With the release of a novel such as this, there is understandably a lot of questions, particularly

about the Masons and who they are. So who are Freemasons and what do they do? Liley puts it

this way: “Remember that kid that used to shovel snow for the lady down the street, the one

that delivered the newspapers, the one that would sell the most raffle tickets and do all those

things? Well, [he] grew up to be me and then I needed something to join, to be with people that

are like-minded, and that’s why I joined and why a lot of men join.”

The Masons are a fraternity of brothers who work together to better themselves and the

community around them. As mentioned in the book, there are different degrees, or “levels of

learning,” as Liley puts it, and “Freemasonry uses implements and tools of architecture,

symbolism and metaphors to teach moral lessons to its membership.” This brotherhood takes

pride in taking “good men and making them better.” When they talk about their brotherhood

they talk about “charity, being responsible to yourself, your family, your country, your

neighborhood and being a model citizen,” says Liley.

While conspiracy theorists love to talk about the strange and bizarre “secrets” that the Masons

hold, it’s good to understand that while something may not be visible, this does not make it

secret, but merely private. And while we may not understand everything about them or their

organization, it is important to offer them respect, as such a peaceable group deserves.

Glen Cook, a past Grand Master of the Utah Grand Lodge said, “In a world where people shed

blood in the name of religion, isn’t it refreshing that men of different faiths, colors, creeds, etc.,

can meet on the level and deal squarely with each other and be who they are not because of

their religion, or their party, or politics that they follow.”

After all the buzz and talk about the peculiarity of the Masons, perhaps in our world today they

might rightly be seen as peculiar. This is not because what they do is peculiar, but more

because nowadays it is not as common for men to be “good men.” Masons are good citizens

and genuinely care about the world around them. They have taken the steps to enlighten their

minds and deepen their understanding, so that they might be better people and better the world.

The Grand Lodge of Utah has been around since 1872, and Masonry in Utah has been around

since 1859. They have a rich tradition of working with their communities and providing help to

local charities. In November, the Grand Lodge will be holding a luncheon where they will be

giving out around $250,000 in grants and scholarships. They are also involved with numerous

charities, including Shriner’s hospital. Many may have questions for the Masons after reading

Brown’s book, and they are open to speaking with anyone. They will also be having an open

house at their major Lodge locations in Salt Lake, Logan, Ogden and Price, and invite all to go

and take a tour of their facilities and ask questions. To get in contact with the Masons in Utah

or to find locations to take a tour, visit www.UtahGrandLodge.org.

The Lost Symbol will surely be sparking new rumors, but one that John Liley squelched was

regarding the pyramid.

“I know for a fact in the Grand Lodge building downtown we have no arc of the covenant, we

have no pyramid buried anywhere, we don’t have any treasures or riches.” This is not, of

course, counting their strong bond of brotherhood and wealth of knowledge, which is full of

treasures and riches. John Liley’s advice to those looking to read THE LOST SYMBOL is this:

“Understand it’s a work of fiction, take it and enjoy it – it’s a heck of a good story.”

My first article in the UVU Review

Fall TV lineup heralds return of favorites

By Andrea Lindgren on 21 September 2009

Now that fall is here we not only have the excitement of changing leaves, pumpkin carving and

haunted houses, we also get to enjoy returning fall TV shows. While this fall offers many new

and highly anticipated shows, there are always those returning shows that we just cannot wait to

start again.

They include the characters that we have fallen in love with over the past few seasons, or those

thrilling plot lines that we get buried in. Or maybe it’s that on-again off-again relationship in

our favorite drama where we just love to guess who will end up with who, or that hilarious

comedy that pulls us out of a bad day. Whatever your fix is, this fall has a promising line up of

returning favorites.

There are many exciting genres to look forward to this fall. You won’t want to miss out on the

popular medical drama, HOUSE. Then there is the ever-exciting action drama, HEROES. If you

missed last week’s premieres, make sure you get caught up on the light-hearted crime show

BONES as well as the exciting supernatural crime show FRINGE. And if you’re looking for a

great comedy in the style of a mockumentary, THE OFFICE also began last week.

HOUSE

The new season of HOUSE returns to Fox Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. It begins with what

looks to be a very exciting first episode. At the end of last season, Gregory House (Hugh

Laurie) finally checked himself into rehab.

But what would the show be without the bitingly sarcastic humor used by Dr. House when

harassing a patient with an unusual illness in order to discover the right diagnosis? And how

can he do that while checked into rehab?

Well, it seems he decides he can’t, so with the help of other patients in the mental hospital

where he currently resides, he orchestrates a plan to escape. Tune in to this humorous medical

drama to find out if he really will be able to make it out, or if his loyal friend, Dr. Wilson

(Robert Sean Leonard) will make him stay put in the time necessary to get clean, once and for

all.

HEROES

The thrilling two-hour season premiere of the action drama HEROES begins Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.

on NBC. Last season we thought we nearly lost exotic beauty Tracy (Ali Larter). But she comes

back from her near-death experience with even greater power than before. The Ice Queen

promises to be an exciting force to be reckoned with this season.

We can’t forget the shock from last season when we discovered that Rebel was the young,

electronically charged Micah (Noah Gray-Cabey). And who knows what kind of horror we are

in for now that the evil Sylar thinks he is Nathan Petrelli.

However, when all is said and done, we can always count on the constancy of the real hero,

Hiro (Masi Oka), to do everything in his power to save the day and do what is best for

mankind.

BONES

This past week the popular, lighthearted crime show BONES returned to Fox Thursdays at 7

p.m. Everyone who has been spending the summer worrying about Booth’s condition can

breathe easy once again. The first episode this new season has the dreamy FBI agent Seeley

Booth (David Boreanaz) returning to work a brief six months after his brain surgery.

BONES brings the return of the peculiarly compatible duo, Booth and Dr. Temperance Brennan

(Emily Deschanel). Dr. Brennan, a brilliant forensic anthropologist, relies on science to clarify

and make sense of the world around her. On the other hand, Booth relies on faith and the

character of humanity to understand life. While on opposite ends of the spectrum, both try to

understand the other and work together. They match up so perfectly it’s as if they were soul

mates, and perhaps this season they will finally end up together.

FRINGE

All the excitement of the supernatural crime thriller FRINGE has returned to Fox on Thursdays

at 8 p.m. You never know what to expect with FRINGE. There is always some new strange

happening going on, like a child prodigy, killer butterflies and even men walking through walls

to rob banks. With each new and interesting case, Oilvia (Ana Torv) is involved in, Walter

(John Noble) never fails to come up with an even stranger experiment to explain the case.

Walter, being quite the oddball, offers comic relief to nearly every tense situation, usually by

requesting a random food item. Every new case links back to studies and bizarre experiments

that Walter himself and the founder of Massive Dynamics, William Bell (Leonard Nimoy), had

performed years before – one of which Olivia had been a part of when she was a young child. If

you’re looking for a show that includes weird scenarios, with a touch of quirky humor,

FRINGE should be a top pick this fall.

THE OFFICE

All the fun of THE OFFICE has returned to Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Last season brought

about many changes to the staff at Dunder-Mifflin. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) started his

own, albeit short lived, paper company. He took with him the beloved receptionist Pam (Jenna

Fischer) as well as the self-absorbed temp, Ryan (B.J. Novak). Yet all is made right when

Michael negotiates the purchase of his swiftly dying paper company to Dunder-Mifflin,

ensuring his return.

Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam finally get engaged and Jim buys Pam a home. It’s his parents’

house, but a house nonetheless. In last season’s finale we also discovered that Pam is pregnant.

The new season has high hopes for the entertaining antics that ensue between Dwight (Rainn

Wilson), Andy (Ed Helms) and Jim. We can’t help but anticipate more jokes and tricks to be

played on Dwight, Andy and even Michael. This season promises to be the hysterical pick-me-

up mockumentary-style comedy everyone has been waiting for.