August 6, 1999
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT TIPS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIMRINGHAM OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
1. Cool Off With a Little Culture
Escape the summer heat with your children by visiting your local visual arts gallery or museum, says Toni Nordan, curator of the UAB Visual Arts Gallery. "It not only provides a cool temperature, it's a cool setting that exposes kids to the many aspects of creativity." While there, Nordan suggests playing the same "spotting" games played on a road trip, keeping score of how many different, familiar or unusual items each child can find. She also recommends that parents follow the outing with an at-home art activity, using anything in the house, from crayons to Elmer's glue and popsicle sticks, to let the children create sculptures or frames for their own works of art. Call Nordan at 934-0815.
2. Gross Is "In"
Recent films, including "American Pie" and "South Park," feature bathroom humor and revolting behavior. The entertainment industry is using "gross out" films to target 16- to 24-year-olds who have plenty of disposable income, says UAB Associate Professor Jean Bodon, Ph.D., a producer for the Encore Channel series "The Directors." "This age group isn't concerned with today's social causes because they spend so much time with television and video games. They're jaded. Subtle comedies and dramas don't work anymore." UAB child psychologist Vivian Friedman, Ph.D., says "gross out" films may not have a deep psychological effect on kids, but "the films are regressive to maturity and teach kids that crude is OK." Call Gail Short, Media Relations, 934-8931.
3. MP3 a Hit With Internet Bootleggers
The new Internet technology MP3 is creating concern in the recording industry, says Henry Panion III, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Music and executive director of the UAB Entertainment record label. "MP3 allows the public to sample new recordings. But, the quality is so high that many are downloading the recordings and making bootleg copies, thereby robbing companies of sales revenues." Recording companies also are concerned because many artists are contemplating using the technology to test market their new work, thereby bypassing company marketing efforts. "With MP3 musicians are producing their own projects and distributing them free, and it sounds good." Panion teaches students state-of-the-art methods of converting audio into various formats. Call Panion at 934-7375 or e-mail [email protected].
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