appalachian studies
Global Mountain Regions Conference: Ann Kingsolver and Sasikumar Balasundaram
This coming October 25th through 27th, the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies Program is set to kick-off their ambitious Global Mountain Regions Conference. The three day event is a transnational exploration and conversation of the shared economic, social, and historical challenges that mountain regions face within both national and global contexts.
Event Honors Appalachian Literary Legend James Still
Driving in China and Playing Mahjong in a Cave.
Driving was one of the most chaotic experiences in China. In this video we are driving to the Waterfall Temple, where we will play Mahjong, an ancient Chinese game played with cards or tiles. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and a certain degree of chance. A&S Hive member Yiwen Chen and her friends taught us how to play the game of Mahjong in a cave which is behind a waterfall.
Filmed and Edited by: Dana Rogers
Race and Appalachian Poetry: Frank Walker
Frank Walker, associate professor in the Department of English, discusses the origin of the word "Affrilachia" and how the use of the word forces the redefinition of a region traditionally described as all-white. Walker noted several key artists and intellectuals from Appalachia to illustrate the region's cultural diversity.
Sound, Place, and Identity: Ron Pen
Ron Pen, a professor in the UK School of Music, discussed how Appalachian music unities people and place, and how the styles brought to the region by its immigrant residents combined and generated several new musical genres, such as swing, bluegrass, rockabilly, and contry. Music creates a bond that binds individuals as shared community and creates a society based on values rooted to identiy and place.
Composition, Design, and Intent: Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval, a professor in the College of Fine Arts, discussed representations of beauty and diversity through the work of Appalachian quilt artists. He used the international art quilt competition Quilt National biannual as his main research reference. Quilt National is described as a trendsetter in the fiber art fild and displays the most important and innovative art quilts from around the world. Sandoval's presentation guided attendees through a variety of fiber arts and mixed media quilts.