2008-09 Creative Activity Research Grants

“Supporting faculty research remains one of our top priorities; the work of our faculty and students will distinguish us as a school,” said Carmon Colangelo, dean of the Sam Fox School. “This year we had 15 submissions representing a wide range of interests. It was a difficult decision for the committee since the proposals were so compelling-the final selection was highly competitive.”

Grants awarded:

Lisa Bulawsky, associate professor of printmaking The grant will fund the creation of a subjective history and visual portrait of who we are, as individuals, and as Americans. Bulawsky will interview participants associated with the Washington University Center for Aging and record their associative memories in response to significant events in American history. From the recollection of both historical and personal images, she will produce mixed media prints and drawings that act as portraits for those events and the individuals who recall them.

Michael Byron, professor of painting The grant will fund the creation of an installation - the culmination of a decade-long accumulation of images and objects depicting elephants. The work will include both found and constructed objects, collages and examples of work from Byron’s ongoing grisaille series. The installation will create an environment that evidences humanity’s complex relationship and fascination with the earth’s larges land mammal.

Jenny Lovell, assistant professor of architecture The grant will fund a portion of travel and research/editing assistance to develop the content and format of Lovell’s first book with the working title: Building Envelope:‘elements’ Toward an Integrated Approach, under contract with Princeton Architectural Press (PAP). The book demonstrates the synthesis of Lovell’s work as an architect both in the academy and in practice. The book will serve as a process-based toolkit for both practitioners and academics alike to develop an integrated process of design and technology synthesis.

Jen Maigret, assistant professor of architecture The grant will help fund the development of a prototype tiling facade system that uses complex three-dimensional surface tessellations to slow rainwater flow rates and aid in localized infiltration in urban environments. An assembly of tiles will be developed using parametric modeling software, produced using rapid prototyping technology (3d printing) and tested in the form of a full scale, mock-up to be installed on site at the Tyson Research Center for longer-term study.   Heather Woofter, assistant professor of architecture
The grant will support a publication in conjunction with the exhibition Metabolic City on view at the Kemper Art Museum in fall 2009. The publication will include scholarly essays, student seminar and studio work in addition to documenting the scope of the exhibition.