Past Events Winter 2006

Handwriting Tells the Truth: An Exhibit on Graphology 
January 12 – February 28, 2006

This exhibit featured books and handwriting dating from the early 1800s to the present:
samples by Johann Sebastian Bach, Vincent Van Gogh, criminals, the mentally ill, teenagers and young adults, each analyzed by one of the leading graphologists of the day. The books and writing samples gave an overview of the use of graphology in the arts, law, medical profession, sciences and other fields.

In addition to items from UCLA Library collections, many of the items were from the library of Gottfried Bloch, a physician, psychoanalyst and graphologist who was imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II but managed to save part of his library by sending it abroad.  Bloch survived the concentration camp and later gave his library to Susanne Shapiro, who organized the exhibit.

Shapiro, a professional handwriting analyst and a member of American Association of Handwriting Analysts, has researched and lectured on topics including Emily Dickinson’s handwriting during her later years and the use of graphology in concentration camps during World War II.  She is also a professional harpsichordist who has performed at UCLA and has taught at institutions including Pomona College, Indiana University and Pepperdine College.

This popular display was supplemented by Q&A sessions in which Shapiro answered questions and analyzed students’ handwriting for free.

Photos by C. Brown

Classical Guitarist Heday Mercury
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Afternoon Concert – 4pm

Classical and rock guitarist alumnus Heday Mercury returned to perform the Prelude from violin partita no. 3 in E major and Chaconne from violin partita no. 2 in D minor by J.S. Bach, The Frog Galliard by John Dowland, Gymnopedie by Erik Satie, Fuoco by Roland Dyens, Lennon-McCartney’s In My Life, Sunday Morning Overcast and Sunburst by Andrew York, and his own composition “French Piece.” Over fifty students and staff enjoyed his virtuoso playing.

Photo by C. Brown

3rd Annual Romeo & Juliet Italian Renaissance Ball
Saturday, February 11, 2006

Over one hundred students, faculty, staff and visitors (some in full costume) filled the Rotunda for this annual dance held in conjunction with GE Cluster 23B class, “Inside the Performing Arts.” Cluster faculty and Professor Emeritus Emma Lewis Thomas was special guest instructor for the evening. Tenor Daniel Plaster provided an interlude of Renaissance vocal music with lute accompaniment. A dance scene from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet” was also shown.

Daniel Plaster and Cynthia Harper	James Zimmer with partner

Photos by C. Brown

Student Sponsored Exhibit: When Conscience Overrides Greed 
March 1 – 8, 2006

Curated by three students from Honors Collegium 29 “The Critical Vision: A History of Art as Social Commentary” taught by Professor Paul Von Blum: Clarise Pun, Leeron Hendizadeh, and Angela Min-Chia Lee.

The display featured prints by Honore Daumier, Jean-Francois Millet, Gustave Courbet, Frans Hals, Adriaen van Ostade, and Francisco José Goya & Lucientes.

The 4th Annual President’s Ball
Saturday, March 9, 2006

Over ninety participants including students from GE Cluster 23B, other students, staff and visitors learned dances such as the waltz, polka, mazurka, gallop, schottische, redowa and Virginia Reel.