Miya of the Quiet Strength

 

Miya of the Quiet Strength is a documentary about the life of Miya Rodolfo-Siosin. Directed by Daniel Julien, the film premiered in January 2009, one month after Miya died of breast cancer at age forty. Miya was a prominent, longtime advocate for human rights and disability rights, who lived in Berkeley, California beginning in 1996. She herself was grievously injured in the mass shooting that occurred on the campus of the University of Iowa on November 1, 1991--thirty years ago today. The documentary is available from Swift Productions. 

Miya was also a supporter of Whirlwind Wheelchair International, a non-profit social enterprise which produces durable, low-cost, highly functional wheelchairs for the disabled in over 60 countries. Donations are welcome. 

Previous related Common Curator posts include: Twenty Years After and The March for Our Lives Against Gun Violence.

Quiet Pride: The Elizabeth Catlett Project

Jazz bassist and composer Rufus Reid will be performing "Quiet Pride: The Elizabeth Catlett Project" along with his large jazz ensemble at Hancher Auditorium on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Reid's composition was inspired by the sculptural work of artist Elizabeth Catlett [1915-2012], an African American woman who in 1940 was among the first three students to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Catlett's thesis advisor was Grant Wood. A video interview with Catlett conducted toward the end of her life can be viewed at the National Visionary Leadership Project.

Reid is currently undertaking a short residency at the University of Iowa as an Ida Cordelia Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor.

Against Amnesia: Archives, Evidence, and Social Justice

Against Amnesia: Archives, Evidence, and Social Justice is this year's Obermann Humanities Symposium at the University of Iowa, and will be held at campus and downtown Iowa City venues on March 1-3, 2018. The symposium is an initiative of the Provost's Global Forum, and will offer a full schedule of lectures, panels, film screenings, and exhibitions.

The organizers note that "practicing archivists, engaged scholars, and interdisciplinary artists will share projects from creating 'data refuges' of climate date to mining corporate records for evidence of organized violence." Experimental filmmaker, Bill Morrison, honored as an Ida Cordelia Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor, will be delivering a talk, "Consider the Source," and presenting his most recent film, "Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016)."

Further information can be found at the symposium website, which includes biographies of speakers, resources on archives and activism, and a listing of numerous, diverse archives in the area.