#thenewschool

Like i said my grandfather was a diplomat and im a heir, so i have a lesson plan:

First goes to a university of Cinema & Digital Media in a uni called IESB, in my hometown

Then goes to USP (Universidade de São Paulo) because extensions project for master’s degree (still this year)

Do a workshop of liberal arts and how to talk in english fluent (i know a intermediate level) in the University Of Glasgow (still this year, with Lucas Jagger)

A separate study in UCINE in Argentina of documentary filmaker and photography

Tech or summer course in The New School Parson (the number one uni of fashion in EUA) in Culture and Media

And finally a master’s degree in La Sapienza (a uni thats exists since 1303) in Italy in the course of Theater, Film and Media

I used to be an A student in school and stand out in classes of history, languages, sociology and physics, chemical but mathematics not that much. 😆

In my cinema uni i was one of students who demonstrated excellence

We’re celebrating Mardi Gras, 1960 style, when that celebration fell in March. Why this throwback? Because we recently had a chance to digitize some films from our University Archives audiovisual holdings, three films associated with the Francis A. Ruzicka papers  http://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/UA17-018.xml;query=UA17-018;brand=default

Francis A. Ruzicka was the chair of UGA’s Department of Art from 1976-1993. Before he came to UGA, he was chairman of the Department of Art at Ohio State University, and before that, he was President of the Parsons School of Design.  See more on his career and his works from this Georgia Museum of Art pamphlet, “Eight Paintings, 1951-1962.”  The three films are labeled “Parsons School of Design - Park Sheraton 3/3/60″, “Dance 1962″ and “Film of graduate activities at OSU 1969.”  The 1960 film can had a professional photo studio label on it (shown above).

With that label, I anticipated a professionally made 16mm film, but knowing that films don’t always get back into their proper cans, I couldn’t be sure of what I’d see. What showed up was a really fabulous party, filmed beautifully in Kodachrome, showing people in formal wear and in stunning and creative costumes, dancing and drinking, with many of them posing in what looks like a ‘best costume’ contest in front of the ball’s band. I was delighted by the excellent condition of the film and the quality of the Kodachrome, still as vivid as it was in 1960. The tail credit confirmed the film can’s information:

Watch this wonderful film now on our website:  https://bmac.libs.uga.edu/pawtucket2/index.php/Detail/objects/409175

But what exactly was the event? I got in touch with a librarian at The New School (encompassing Parsons) who put me in touch with archivist Jenny Swadosh, who knew right away that it must have been the 1960 Mardi Gras Ball, of which they have no documentation for that year.  We both got very excited about this film and each did some research to bring you more details. 

While Jenny looked into the Parsons School records, I looked online to find out more about Valeché Studios. Thanks to digitized newspapers, there are a number of photos online with a Valeché or Valeché Studios credit line, as well as some portraits with his mark on the backs:

Felix Valeché (1881-1965) and his brother Harry were living with their sister Josephine and brother-in-law, Israel Jackson, a photographer, when the 1900 federal census was made. By the 1905 New York state census, Felix is listed as a photographer. He married in 1909 and in the 1910 census is listed with his wife and son, Maxwell, who eventually joined his father's business. Based on the number of images in New York newspapers online, they were very busy in Brooklyn as portrait and wedding photographers, as well as documenting other special events through at least 1970. Copies of the Mardi Gras Ball film were probably made available for purchase from Valeché by the ball's attendees, which may be how this film got into Frank Ruzicka’s hands.

Please jump over to Jenny’s blog post for some great information about Parsons student life and the history of their Mardi Gras ball: http://newschoolhistories.org/nsarchives/mardi-gras-a-forgotten-parsons-school-of-design-tradition/   I’ve had fun getting to work with her and learn more about Parsons in the 1960s.

And if you know something about the 1960 Parsons Mardi Gras Ball or about Valeché Studios, especially if more of their films are extant, please let us know!

When I was a child I was very interested in anything that had a girl group essence. I was 6 years old I began watching Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi. This is definitely one of the many cartoon characters that I grew to love. It definitely shaped who I am today, through their intricate styles and their grand performances I couldn’t help but look up to them. They were rockstars, I was influenced by the lifestyle they had. I was only 6 but this show remains dear to my heart. I still hope that one day I’d be a rockstar as well. 

2. Which current girl heroine, change-maker, super-heroine inspires you now?

Rihanna. 

Not only is she talented, but she has also revolutionized fashion, beauty and so on. As someone who is very interested in music, I saw her grow as an artist in talents and aesthetic. She fully found herself as a musician through recent years. Her personality gives “ bad bitch energy.” One who doesn’t care about what people say. She also was so influential with her makeup brands. From the many that existed, she was one of the first to pioneer and have a large selection of shade ranges for everyone. She didn’t limit herself at all when it came to her lingerie line. Rihanna gave a large array of sizes so that no one would feel excluded. Although it's obvious it wasn’t only limited to her and she had a whole team, its the thought she created that influenced the global market as well. Exclusivity versus inclusivity. She is so good at what she does. I hope she continues to make music. 

I’M GOING TO MUSIC SCHOOL!!!!

okay, so I know I’ve been abandoned my account for over a year (lol) but guess what??? I GOT INTO MANNES SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC

I kind of thought this was a mistake and had to double-check that my name was actually on the acceptance letters but wooo!!! As of right now, I’m leaning more towards Mannes School of Music but both schools are amazing so I’m not even stressed.