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Show The Thxmderbird Mann to expound the arts by Cristal Otvens The Irresponsible Artist is the subject of this weeks Convocation series presented by Burch Mann of the American Folk Ballet, Big business has stepped into art to show off the wealth instead of the art, remarked Mann, who feels that a nations spirit is revealed in its art. But big business influence isnt the only challenge the arts must face said Mann. "There is a crisis in our society, one thats very evident in modern art. New has become the key word in art, in everything. If it isnt new, it isnt relative, and were constantly bombarded with spectacles, shocking things. A man who paints pictures of Campbells Soup cans is made an art hero when in fact hes an irresponsible artist, said Mann. It has been almost two years now since Mann moved the American Folk Ballet to Cedar City and SUSC from California. I felt that by coming into an isolated area, you can create some things you could not do in a developed area. Mann continued by saying it is the profit motive that is killing the art spirit which is within everyone, and it is the art spirit that keeps the commonest man from being mediocre. Mann states that the one major ingredient missing from art is love. The trouble with modern art that sees man as depraved, nature as malevolent, comes from the inability to love. Love, that grossly misunderstood word, having been bandied around with such promiscuity, is what keeps man human. And art gives man the medium through which he can express his ability to be uplifted, transformed. Mann feels art has alienated much of mankind. She said dance is probably one of the forms of art that has alienated man more than others. Mann continues, We are in a great need of a spiritual rebirth. In need of excellence and craftsmanship. This excellence is exactly what Mann has tried to create with the American I i i i ! Monday, February 20, 1984 Paqe 3 Folk Ballet. I have tried to give my dance company a universal appeal, while insuring that it is unmistakably and uniquely American, Mann states. I have demanded that my dancers develop great technical power, in order that they will bring to life the individualistic, strong-willeunpolished, unfenced pioneer and the pioneer society that discarded all that was artificial, pretentious or superfluous. The American Folk Ballet company of 30 professional dancers has made 1 1 national and three international tours. The company was also featured at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter. In March the company is scheduled to appear at the Capitol Theater for the Special Olympics. Mann said the American Folk Ballet was chosen because they captured the spirit of America more that most dance companies. I Added the famed choreographer, of this the tried have to represent spirit country. I have tried to develop an American ballet for I felt that ballet which has always been European would capture the golden age of the United States. I concentrate on the 19th Century, for then the country was young and in an exciting time when the country could do no wrong and westward expansion was at its peak. The founder of the American Folk Ballet had no formal training as a dancer until she traveled to New York after graduation from high school. Lana Johnson, Convocation coordinator, expressed the thought that students at SUSC perhaps take Manns presence here on campus for granted and dont realize what a national figure she really is. Mann says, I have tried to bring the dance back to the people. It is one of the most joyous, entertaining mediums which has ever developed and it belongs to the people. So I kept looking for the type of dancing I thought dance should be, and I couldnt find it so Im creating it myself. Burch Mann, Thursdays Convocation guest, speaks about the influence of big business on the arts. Election nominees chosen Senate funds conference i i Interested parties participated in a nominating assembly last Wednesday. j t t f Stacey Smith, elections committee chairman, conducted the assembly and acquainted students with committee members Jeff Maxwell, Stuart Jones, Jillynn Nielson, Paula Alger and John Banks. Acting Director of Student Activities Dave Taylor, spoke to those present about the responsibilities and sacrifices involved with student government. He said, I personally stand behind everyone of you. Whoever wins (the election) will be a true quality representative of this school. As you get into office I guarantee you are going to develop yourself in ways you never dreamed of. Campaign rules dealing with the placement of posters and campaign materials were reviewed with and clarified by Smith for the propective student leaders. Students at the meeting nominated one another. The nominations were then seconded and accepted. Nominees for science senators are Lyle Castle, Stuart Adams, David Lee, Mark Fuller, Mike Mauger and Jeff Woods. Nominees for education senators are Susan Bond, Sonja Munson, Delna Sawyer, MarKay Caldwell, Nancy Wheeler and Sharon Judd. Nominees for business and technology senators are Robert Mull, Kent Hugh, Brooks Washburn, David Burton, Jon Christy, Karen Gutwald and Lana Houston. Nominees for arts and letters senators are Bill Honeck, Lea Brown, Mike Michie, Marcia Stephens, Stuart Riley and Barbara Lowder. Nominees for vice president of social affairs are Staci Bird and Bruce Hiskey. Nominees for vice president of academic affairs are Steve Wright and Bob Sperry. Nominees for student body president are Scott Price, Theron Jensen and Ray Olsen. A dinner for all candidates will be held Feb. 20. SUSC students will vote in primary elections for business and technology senators, and student body president Feb. 22. General elections will take place on Feb. 29. The student center and library will both house student voting booths. by Ethel Lyman winners being posted in the student center; and a general student body election for ASSUSC student Members of the ASSUSC Senate will be voted unanimously Wednesday to government offices for 1984-829. will held Feb. Winners be announced a submitted $500 budget request approve at a dance that evening. by the SUSC Admissions Office. Funds provided by the bill will The senate is considering a proposal to allocate $650 to a newly formed elections subsidize this years Youth Leadership Conference to be held Feb. 24 and 25. committee. The bill will be posted for The allocation will be used to help pay one week. for transportation and various activities The proposal, if passed, would provide the necessary capital to cover expenses planned for the conference. According to the request submitted to incurred in the upcoming ASSUSC the senate, past conferences have been general elections. Senate monies will pay for ballots, posters, flyers, candidates effective in helping recruit quality students to SUSC. My committee felt dinner, elections dance and like it was a good allocation because miscellaneous supplies, said Elections Committee Chairman Stacey Smith. recruitment is important, said Cindy From SUSC administrations Whatcott, senate committee A chairman. Invitations to the conference have indications, the senates spring increase been sent to high school students in may be more than the present figure of $3,150. We can probably count on Utah, Arizona and Nevada, she noted. closer to $3,500, said Scott Johnson, Members of the senate received a schedule of events for the upcoming senate treasurer. elections. The events will include a Senate President Jeff Maxwell reminded senators that they will be dinner for candidates in the election which will take place Feb. 20. Students expected to represent student will vote in a primary election Feb. 22 government in a freshman orientation for any elected offices necessary, with class on Feb. 23 at 8 a.m. |