If one needs a walk across the UC Davis campus anytime soon, consider these lunchable exhibitions — in other words, they are viewable during a lunch break. (For those off campus or a far walk away, there is convenient parking to each, too). They are free.
The Great Pacific Flyway offers design and science at Design Museum
Editor's note: This museum exhibition was featured in the Washington Post on November 5.
Instinct Extinct: The Great Pacific Flyway is a multidisciplinary art and design installation that explores and celebrates the biology, beauty and bounty of the Pacific Flyway. The exhibition opens the UC Davis Design Museum’s 2017-2018 season running through Nov. 12.
It’s a treat to walk in and see real birds-of-prey wings mounted on the walls, and "flying" above, transitioning to fabric and photo art as well. The wings are on loan from the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. Most of them were donated initially by federal and state agencies.
The Pacific Flyway is a major north-south flyway for migratory birds in America, extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Every year, migratory birds travel some or all of this distance both in spring and in fall, following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or traveling to overwintering sites.
The Design Museum, part of the College of Letters and Science, is in Cruess Hall, Room 124. It is free and open weekdays noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
Visit the Design Museum for map and parking information.
In a related presentation, "Nature & You Lecture: Environmental Art with Ann Savageau," the designer will discuss her environmental work Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. In her mixed media sculpture, Savageau explores the intersection between the natural world and human culture. The Tuleyome event takes place at the Mary L. Stephens Branch Library, 315 East 14th St., Davis. Tuleyome is a volunteer advocacy-oriented nonprofit organization.
Land, Water, and Rock: Photography
On the other side of campus, in the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, one can take a very quick but rewarding look at Land, Water, and Rock, a collection of photography by Kolkata, India-based wildlife and nature photographer D. Debal Sen.
Roaming around the first and second floor of Mondavi, one can catch some vibrant wildlife and geographic photos. The event is one of many events on campus this year focused on South Asia. The show is sponsored by Middle East/South Asia Studies and runs through Nov. 1. Parking available in the Gateway Parking Structure if not within walking distance.
Noon Concert Series at Pitzer each Thursday
And, the Shinkoskey noon concert series (or 12:05 p.m. concert series, to be exact) at the Ann E. Pitzer is always a good option. Watch for an arts blog post on a first-ever performance of works by Edmond DeˊDe´. This Thursday, Oct. 26, catch Anssi Karttunen, solo cello, with works including: Giovanni Battista Vitali: Partite sopra diverse Sonate (c. 1670) and others. Read the blog post about a book by historian Sally McKee that led to a noon concert that will debut Nov. 16.
The California Aggie: A Century of Headlines in the library
Contributed by Jessica Nusbaum
From a century-old issue of The Weekly Agricola (the forerunner to The Aggie) to the opening of the Memorial Union, from April Fool’s Day satire to student engagement with serious political and social issues, The California Aggie has captured the history of UC Davis through the eyes of student reporters since 1915.
Don’t miss this special exhibit — featuring historic front pages dating back to the newspaper’s earliest years when UC Davis was still the University Farm — on display in the lobby of Peter J. Shields Library throughout fall and winter Quarter. Further information. The exhibition runs through March 16.
Can’t make it to campus? You can still experience a slice of Aggie history by visiting the exhibit online or following #ThisWeekinTheAggie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all year for more stories from the archives.
Coming soon to Shields: a wine-related exhibit. Watch this space for details.
The Gorman: Recent acquisitions from the Northwest Coast
Veronica Passalacqua, curator of the C.N. Gorman Museum, says, “With our upcoming campus relocation and expansion (to Nelson Hall), the museum’s permanent collection has been growing faster than ever.”
The exhibition, on view through Dec. 8, features a selection of recently acquired and promised works from the Pacific Northwest Coast, curated from the collections of Jill and Michael Pease, Gloria and Selig Kaplan, Alexandra Navrotsky, John W. Brinley, the Bieri Family Collection and the C.N. Gorman Museum Permanent Collection.
The museum is in 1316 Hunt Hall. Regular hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission.