Seen – and heard! – on campus

By Matthew Tiews

It’s hard to believe finals are right around the corner – what an exciting fall quarter! We have seen an amazing roster of high-profile artists and creative industry leaders on campus. I realize it may be difficult to keep up with them all – so for those keeping score at home, here are a few:

Nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer and guitarist Sheryl Crow visited for a special night with Stanford Live at Bing Concert Hall. Crow shared works from her most recent album, Feels Like Home. She also took the time to sit down with students and have a conversation about the music industry, her songs and her causes.

Photographer Robert Frank stopped by campus for a surprise visit at a panel on the Cantor Arts Center’s exhibition, Robert Frank in America (on display until Jan. 5). After an in-depth discussion between panelists, Mr. Frank opened up the discussion for questions from the audience. An unexpected, but wonderful occasion for the university!

The Ends of American Art conference organized by the Department of Art & Art History brought the leading historians of American art to Stanford in connection with the opening of the Anderson Collection at Stanford University. The two-day event featured speakers from across the country and around the world – including special “lightning” panels by graduate students who showcased ideas for the future of art history.

Stanford also opened its doors to the fashion community with its own Fashion Week featuring visits by Franca Sozzani, Harold Koda and Diane von Fürstenberg. Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, took the stage at CEMEX Auditorium to discuss the relation between fashion and cinema. While on campus, Sozzani agreed to respond to selected student design projects. “I was very honest!” she said. Harold Koda, curator in charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, visited just a few days later to speak about his work at The Costume Institute. Less than 24 hours later, the 2014 Executive Leadership Series produced by Stanford Women in Business brought designer Diane von Fürstenberg to speak about her insights on leadership and entrepreneurship. And she should know! Von Fürstenberg was named the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion by Forbes magazine in 2012.

And there’s so much more: Composer, performer, choreographer and Mohr Visiting Artist Grisha Coleman gave an artist’s talk about her work. Creative flutist, composer, bandleader and educator Nicole Mitchell participated in an artist’s talk at the Institute for Diversity in the Arts and spent time with the Chocolate Heads (Stanford’s dance-driven interdisciplinary music and art troupe). Activist rappers David Banner and Tef Poe also visited IDA for a panel discussion on the shooting of Michael Brown and the aftermath in Ferguson, Mo., followed by a Q&A with a full audience at CEMEX.

With artists and industry leaders visiting campus every week, there’s an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Stanford’s arts calendar will help you get the information you need about who’s coming when. We’ll look forward to seeing you at the next event!