The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 3, 1997 - 9D
ARTS
- m
1?rof., author sheds
light on act of writing
Celebrating a culture
MUSEUMS
Continued from Page 3D
By Mary Trombley
Daily Arts Writer
I In a story in University professor Charles
Baxter's new collection of short fiction,
"Believers," a character relating a tale at a dinner
party says, "I keep forgetting about the necessities
of violence in the U.S.A. Well, if you were expect-
ing violence, you'll be disappointed. Something
else happened:'
This statement is almost emblematic of Baxter's
own work. His stories, in their graceful depiction
of Midwestern life, never hinge on overt brutality.
Something else is always happening in Charles
Waxter's work - something dark, something slow,
something heady, but always something subtle and
well-crafted. Even when he's describing an assist-
ed suicide or a bar brawl, Baxter's writing is
endowed with careful clarity and wit.
"I've come to feel that the real challenge to me
as a writer is to take ordinary experiences and to
make them interesting again," Baxter said.
'Apparently it's not my mission in life to take the
huge subjects - war and peace - and deal with
them. What I do is to take some of these more day
> day events and make them compelling.'
The author's statement is humble, considering that
the "huge subjects" in most people's lives are the
ones that Baxter writes about. Marriage (the lasting
kind), conventional confusion and the after-effects
of death and disease are mainstays of his stories. As
he writes about confused people making choices,
Baxter avoids the flamboyant and focuses on slower,
scarier realities. In his fiction, a drunken driver will
avoid crashing his car, only to have to face the
.wreckage of his life in the morning.
This year has been particularly productive for
e author: Besides "Believers," which is in stores
now, a book of his essays entitled "Burning Down
The House" will be available in April. Vintage
Books is also re-issuing his first collection,
"Harmony Of The World," this spring. In addition,
Baxter is the current director of the English
department's MFA program.
Though Baxter focuses on the short story genre,
he has written two fine novels - "First Light"
and, most recently, 1993's "Shadow Play," as well
a collection of poetry. His work is regularly
blished in many academic journals and such
mainstream magazines as "Harper's" and "Atlantic
Monthly." Baxter is frequently anthologized in
"Best American Short Stories" and has received
numerous accolades, including an O. Henry Price
award and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Baxter's collections of short fiction have gar-
nered him the most attention. Despite his forays
into other forms, short stories continue to fascinate
him. "I really like the poetry and the compression
and the scope of the short story, how much you can
tell in a limited space," Baxter commented.
"Within this small size, this constriction ... I think
you can do amazing things."
Baxter's characters are particularly memorable
- a young child experiencing the death of his
grandmother, a bored banker determined to
explode his life, an elderly woman deceiving her
husband on his deathbed.
The novel form influences Baxter's work in a dif-
ferent manner. "I really think novels are more about
time and memory and people making plans. Novels
are often up to the business of creating histories."
"First Light" for example, traces the relationship
of a brother and sister in reverse chronological order,
starting from a present-day holiday party and ending
at their first meeting in infancy. The book is particu-
larly apt in showing the connections between the
characters' past and present circumstances; each
episode reveals a little more of the complicated links
between past events and present pain.
Baxter is a native of Minneapolis and has taught
in the state of Michigan since 1974. His writing is
nearly always set in the Midwest, most particular-
ly the fictional rural town of Five Oaks, Mich.
"I write about the Midwest because I know it
and because I'm a Midwesterner and you write
about what you know. Even Stephen King writes
about Maine because that's what he knows," he
says. Baxter's stories are eerie portraits of the
region - they accentuate the surreal in the most
commonplace of Midwestern lives.
Baxter's writing has its ardent fans. "Some people
just want to see him as a nice Midwestern writer, but
he's got a dark view" says Elwood Reid, former stu-
dent and University lecturer. "Inside (Baxter's) nor-
mal appearance lurks an edgy guy" Reid compares .
Baxter to John Cheever. "His writing is very well-
observed. It's dead-on ... there's not a wasted word."
food. The Karanis excavation was par-
ticularly significant for the Kesey
Museum, as it was headed by Latin Prof.
Francis Kelsey in 1924-35, the person
for whom the museum is named.
The upcoming exhibition for the
Kelsey is the "Sepphoris in Galilee:
Crosscurrents of Culture" show, which
opens in early September and runs
through the fall semester. The exhibi-
tion will be jointly run with the art
museum, and will highlight works dis-
covered at the Zippori archaeological
site in Israel, which was once a pros-
perous city where people of varied reli-
gious backgrounds lived together
peacefully. The display includes a num-
ber of artifacts, including a large mosa-
ic, and comes complete with maps and
models, as well as a video and interac-
tive computer program.
Of course, art isn't limited to muse-
ums. There are a thousand other possi-
bilities, and Ann Arbor has explored
every one of them.
By taking a walk around campus on
a nice day, one can see the large amount
of public sculpture owned by the
University, like the Holocaust menmod-
al near Rackham.
North Campus in particular is very
rich, with a large variety of interesting
sculpture, including a work, "Wave
Field," the brainchild of Vietnam
Memorial artist Maya Lin. In addition,
there are a number of galleries and
cafes around town that display the work
of local artists.
And who can ignore the Ann Arbot
art fair, held this year from July 16-19?
The art fair is more about crafts than
art, and many students remark that it is
one of the most annoying times of the
year, since it usually coincides with
summer midterms. But these same stu-
dents are also forced to admit that there
is always something interesting to see,
and that there are usually good sales at
campus-area stores.
And in the spirit of technology, {art
can also be accessed online. Both the
Museum of Art and the Kelsey muse-
um have their own web sites
(www umich.edu/-umma 'and
www umich.edu/-kelseydb, respective-
ly) and a little surfing yields a nmnber
of other art-abundant sites.
For those with cars, or those who
can con their friends into driving
them, nearby Detroit offer. its
Institute of Art, the fifth-largest art
museum in the country, with an
amazing collection and a lot of-space
to display it. The museum is bigger
than anything on campus, and thus its
shows, like its upcoming "Spledors
of Ancient Egypt," are larger.:The
Egyptian show is the first display of
its kind to come to a MidWestern
venue since the King Tut exhibition
in the 1970s. The show will- take
place in 18 galleries, over 4000
square feet of gallery space, aiwill
include mummy cases, jewelr'-wall
carvings and ceramics.
^y
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
LSA sophomore Bejal Sha dances during the :Uth annual Indian American Student Association
Cultural Show at Hill Auditorium last November.
Morris discusses Washington, avoids scandal in memoir
By Elizabeth Lucas
Weekend, Etc. Editor
Few White House advisers have been so contro-
versial as Dick Morris. As an unelected civilian, he
*ictated a new strategy to President Clinton and
instituted new campaigning techniques - before his
fall from grace, when the press discovered his year-
A~ng affair with a prostitute. Whatever personal opin-
ions readers hold about Morris, his book "Behind
the Oval Office" reveals that he was as important to
the Clinton presidency as he was controversial.
Morris first describes his career as a campaign
-consultant - a job description that he pioneered
-- before a fateful phone call from Clinton. Morris
ded up joining Clinton's staff in 1994, after the
Republicans' landslide victories in the '94 con-
gressional elections. His mission was to reinvent
Clinton's threadbare public persona, and to ensure
Democratic victories in 1996.
Morris employed a variety of
strategies in this task. The buzz-
word "triangulation," which Morris
invented, is explained in the book:
it means taking a centrist position,
on a moral high ground between
warring parties or ideologies.'
Morris polled citizens frequent-
ly, and used their viewpoints as a guide in shaping
policies and running Clinton's campaign. He credits
this technique as a major reason for Clinton's reelec-
tion. Perhaps one tactic that was not as successful was
Clinton's focus on small issues like school uniforms
and seatbelt laws. While Morris states that these
issues are important to people, many commentators
have said that Clinton should focus
on bigger issues.
'These sections of the book will
appeal to serious readers, but some
will be more interested in the
White House gossip Morris pro-
vides. Morris dealt with most of
the key figures in Clinton's cabinet
and staff, and he offers an insider perspective. Some
of this information - like the revelation that Clinton
is a details-oriented person -is not exactly new, but
it adds to the book's first-person authenticity.
Surprisingly, one piece of gossip that's not
included in the book is the inside story of
Morris' affair. It is only mentioned in passing,
although Morris devotes an entire chapter to the
other events surrounding his resignation. The
reader has the impression that Morris wanted
his book to be entirely serious - although the
book would never have sold as well without the
notoriety Morris gained from the scandal.
"Behind the Oval Office" provides an intriguing
look at the Clinton presidency, and in particular the
1996 election. Those curious about government tac-
tics and policy, or simply about one of 1996's major
scandals, will find it worthwhile reading.
ourney into 'Star Wars' with
action- packed CD -ROM
ty Brian A. Gnatt are all exciting.
aiy Arts Writer "Rebel Assault II" is the bread winner of the collection.
"Star Wars" games used to be a lot simpler. They usually With its combination of live-action video (it contains some of
had something to do with moving small two-dimensional the first footage shots since the original films), an exciting
paper figures of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo around a flat plot and a large variety in the many tasks the player must per-
cardboard gameboard. form, the game is a blast to play. It contains both extensive
-Thanks to "Star Wars" producer George Lucas, who has cockpit flight and ground combat, which is significantly
-bien involved in other film-related ventures since the end of more exciting than simply one or the other, as in "TIE
the trilogy, mainly his special effects studio Industrial Light Fighter" and "Dark Forces."
& Magic and his software company LucasArts, new "Star The oldest of the titles, "Rebel Assault" still packs a strong
Wars" multimedia titles that make the film's board games of punch with its vivid flight simulation and hand-to-hand combat.
he past seem like mere antiques in the high-tech '90s. Its production is still impressive, yet clearly superseded by its
LucasArts, which releases all of the new "Star Wars"-relat- sequel's live-video footage. The game is also a bit more difficult
ed multimedia games, has done a purely phenomenal job in than the sequel, and players may have to repeat scenes over and
designing and executing the various CD-ROM titles that over again before they are able to pass to the next mission.
appear in its latest release, "The LucasArts Archives Vol. II - "TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM" is the most difficult
'Star Wars' Collection," an affordably priced six-CD-ROM and probably the least exciting of the collection. The game is
collection of multimedia adventures. (Available for PC and a high-tech flight simulator, and it is sometimes difficult to
Macintosh.) keep track of the dozens of commands and keystrokes it takes
In the set are four previously released best-selling "Star to fly an Imperial TIE fighter. The game's major virtue is that
Wars" titles: "Rebel Assault," "TIE Fighter," "Dark Forces" players get to experience a slice of life behind the controls in
and the two-CD "Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire.' the Imperial Navy. It gives the plot a new twist, but lacks the
here is also a new disc, "Making Magic," which gives a pre- excitement of some of the other titles.
ew of new scenes, storyboards, interviews and other treats The first-person, "Doom"-inspired "Dark Forces" appears
ftom the re-released "Star Wars." here in a sampler edition and only contains three playable
It's the games that are the highlight of the collection. They levels from the original release. Nevertheless, the play and
are superb for various reasons. First of all, they are visually design are a thrilling ride in this shoot-'em-up adventure.
and audibly delectable. While some are more film-like than . While the games stay clear of graphic violence, their suc-
others, they all capture the feeling of the "Star Wars" trilogy. cess at staying true to the "Star Wars" films is amazing. With
The graphics, voices and actual sound and video clips from the hundreds of sound effects, video and dialog clips from the
the movies put the player right in the center of the action. original movies, players have a chance to get incredibly close
Whether it's in the cockpit or on foot, the games have taken to the classic story. They won't ever have to move little card-
the utmost care to maintain the continuity between the films board pieces around a boring old two-dimensional board
Jnd the CD-ROMs. Second, and most importantly, the games again.
University Musical So ciety(97
StU4ED1 Kat f-price S ate!
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
and piano
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin
Chamber Music with Members of the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra
Pat Metheny group
Moscow ConseruatornjChamber Ensemble
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tlnn Chamber Orchestra
Tonu Kaijuste, conductor
Estonian Philharmonichamber Choir
Tonu Kaijuste, conductor
Orchestra of St. luke's Cha i
Philippe Herrewegh e conductor
Guitar Summ I
Herb Ellis, jazz
Michael Hedges. aco~islic
Sharon Isbin, cin ; a
Rory Block, blue]
Marilyn Hore, mezq-span
Martin Katz, piano
Gabrieli Consort C1Plays
elia Cu2
with Jose Albezto "El Canaio'
hikan llageqard, barione
Warren Jones, piano
ksutia Oppens. piano
Beethovn the Contemporary cycle
Thuatroite lnciheater
lmerican String RiIattet
Beethoven the Contemporary cycle
Hill Auditorium Box Office
Saturday, September 6
10AR.M. -1 P.M.
HEAD
he Chicago Syniphon'
Orchestra for $.10
Pat Metheny for $12
Boys Choir of Harlem
for $6
New York City Opera
National Company,
in Donizttfs laughter of he Regment
r q
Ursula Oppens, piano
Beethoven the Contemporary cycle"
The Oale Wlarland Singers
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Hugh Wolff, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano
The Dale Warland Singers
The Canadian Brass
Rogal Concergebouw
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Juan-Jose Mosatini
and His Grand Tango Orchestra
Chen limbalista, percussion
Petersen String Quartet
Chick Corea.piano
Gary Burton. uibes
Hendelssohis Elijah
UMS Choral Union
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
lieu York City Opera Naional Company
Donizetti's Daughter of the Regiment
los Hunequitos de Matanzas
Batsheua Once Company of Israel
Russia National Orchestra
Mikhail Pletnev, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
RAstraban Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti, conductor
Steven Isserbs, cello
Ursula Oppens, piano
Beethoven the Contemporary cycle
Paco de Lucia
and His Flamenco Orchestra
merican String Quartet
Beethoven the Contemporary cycle
Sreb/Ringside: POWITION
Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano
Eogenq Kissin. piano
Narsalis/Str.auinsky
.
-.-1