Take a close look – those are grains of sugar. Assistant professor Jiawei Gong will be creating a mandala made of sugar at the Reading Public Library
in early June. See more information below. And see a time-lapse video of a mandala being created here: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b42_1275511628



THE DAILY BRIEF
Thursday, May 24, 2012


ANNOUNCEMENTS
KU Pride – Assistant professor of fine arts, Jiawei Gong, uses traditional Tibetan mandala-making techniques to create a contemporary symbol at “Sweet Salvation,” an exhibition at the Reading Public Museum, June 2-July 8.  

The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. Instead of sand, Gong will use various types of sugar in his creation. The mandala is ritualistically destroyed once it has been completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing are finished to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. 

Born and raised in China, Gong often incorporates modern symbols in his art. "I draw my inspiration from my daily life and cultural background. Traditional Chinese philosophy and literature serve as a dominant and informative resource for my artwork." The modern symbol sugar-mandala is a prime example of this combination of the modern and traditional. 

The public is invited to watch Gong create this symbol in-person or, when he is not in the museum, see recorded footage of him creating the mandala in the gallery. The symbol will take approximately two weeks to complete and the video will be displayed for the remainder of the installation's stay at The Museum. 

The SAP and the ESS portal will go down for maintenance at noon, tomorrow, Friday, May 25, and be unavailable until Tuesday, May 29, at 7 a.m. Please contact the Purchasing Department regarding any critical needs.
        Joseph Coco, director, Purchasing 

To facilitate demolition of the Old Heat plant, the following will take place on Tuesday morning May 29:

1) At 6 a.m. Tuesday morning there will be a brief power outage that will affect Deatrick Hall, Beck Hall, and the north half of Stratton Administration. Power should be restored by 6:30 a.m.

2) The purpose of the power outage is to permanently disconnect power to the Old Heat Plant and Facilities Grounds & Garage complex. As a result, the university fuel pumps will not be in operation and will not be available from 6 a.m. May 29, until Friday morning June 2. So please make sure you fill up the gas tanks on all university vehicles prior to 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, May 29.
        Nathan Shugars, project manager, FPS  

ARAMARK
Kutztown Dining Summer Hours of Operation

Monday, May 21 - Sunday, May 27
Cub Cafe: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Closed Weekends

Monday, May 28 - Saturday, June 30
Cub Cafe: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Closed Weekends

South Side Cafe's hours of operation can be found at www.kutztown.campusdish.com! Contact adams-nicole@aramark.com with any questions.

In Case You Missed It:
 (Announcements and other information that have previously appeared in the Daily Brief.)


Construction Notice: In preparation of the demolition of the old Heat Plant, parking lot F4 between the Stadium and Old Heat Plant will be closed starting Friday, May 25, and will remain closed through Friday, Aug. 17. Access for vehicular traffic between the Admin parking lot F1, through parking lot F4 to South Campus Drive will be maintained during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
        Terry D. Brown, director, Facilities Project Services
You are Invited! The 2012 CONNECTIONS Preview will be held Thursday, May 31, in MSU 218 at 11 a.m. Please come see the student orientation staff demonstrate some of the presentations they will use in June working with freshmen and parents. It’s a great opportunity for them to have a live audience and for you to get some idea of the information that is shared and discussed. We would appreciate your support.
        Andrea Kirshman, assistant vice provost, Academic & Student Affairs      

Please join us at open forums to meet candidates interviewing for the associate dean position, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences:
Thurs., May 24:    Dr. David Beougher - MSU 323 (10-10:45 a.m.)
Light refreshments will be served.
        Dawn Slack, interim associate dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences