Lise's Lens: February 22, 2024
I’ve been thinking about CSW’s upcoming trip to Japan, sustainable design solutions, and Beyoncé’s surprising new releases as I hit the road to meet with CSW alumni and friends this week.
WHAT I’M READING
- I am excited to be traveling to Japan with a group of students in just a few weeks as part of the Kakehashi Project. In anticipation of the trip, I’ve been immersing myself in the book 36 Views of Mount Fuji: On Finding Myself in Japan, by Cathy Davidson. It was recommended to me by CSW alum and visual artist Niho Kozuru, who has been so helpful in helping to prepare our students and chaperones for the exciting adventure ahead. Earlier this month, Niho joined us on a special tour of the Peabody Essex Museum with Karina H. Corrigan, Associate Director — Collections and H. A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art. We saw collections of Japanese Art, visited the Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home, and learned about the history of trade between Japan and The Netherlands.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- Students in Calin’s Community Engagement group are hosting another “Fix It Cafe,” on campus this Friday. Community members are invited to bring in any clothes and apparel in need of mending or repair. But this isn’t a drop-off service! The hope is that folks will stick around to chat and learn about how they can take care of their items on their own in the future. This endeavor, along with our exciting new course, “Fashion and Textiles: Design Solutions in a Circular World,” have me thinking a lot about our circular economy, especially in the clothing industry. I am so proud of this generation’s desire to dig into this question and actually do something about it. Meanwhile, alum Emily Li ’23 is currently in Monaco for the Junk Kouture World Finals!
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- Beyoncé’s Country Music! I have to admit, I did not see this coming! I love how she just creates and does what she feels like doing. It makes me think of all the artificial barriers we put on ourselves and on others, fueled by a tendency to sort and categorize. Reinvention and experimentation are so important, no matter who we are.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
I am currently on the road meeting with alumni. Just today I met with Conrad Williams ’98, a highly talented glassblower based in Naples, Florida. Here he is at work!
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.