The Camden Conference » Community Events

Art Along the Silkroad

kimvogel — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:15:01 +0000

Art Along the Silkroad: Trade Goods from India, China and Japan

For the second year in a row, the Farnsworth is collaborating with the Camden Conference by presenting a special events lecture on the theme of China, India, and Japan in the upcoming conference, “The Challenges of Asia.” Director of Education Roger Dell will deliver an illustrated lecture on the extraordinary array of trade goods—which today we call artworks and preserve in the world’s great museums, as they traveled by donkey and camel across the desserts and mountains of Central Asia and Northern China. Some of the most exquisite pieces were made in India, China, and Japan, and these countries were deeply entwined in cultural exchanges that altered the histories of each country. Monumental ceramic horses and riders form Tang China, miniature Buddhist devotional shrines from Heian Japan, and sensuous sculptures of gods and goddesses from Gupta India are some of the works of art that will be considered in this look at the artistic influences that moved back and forth between these three countries of the East.

Presenter: Roger Dell
Sunday, December 12, 2 p.m.
The Strand Theatre, Rockland
Seating is limited to 350 people
Suggested donation: $5 members (FAM members and Camden Conference members), $8 nonmembers
For reservations, please call The Farnsworth Museum at 207-596-0949

About the Presenter: The Farnsworth’s Director of Education, Roger Dell has been the director of education at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and Fitchburg Art Museum. Dell has taught at Hofstra University, the University of Hawaii and the University of Vermont. He is currently an instructor in the Museum Studies Program at the Harvard Extension School and in the Arts in Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

This presentation co-sponsored by the Farnsworth Museum and is offered as a community event in anticipation of the 24th Annual Camden Conference: The Challenges of Asia, February 18-20, 2010.

Politics of US-China Relations

kimvogel — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:17:05 +0000

Joint Senior College-Camden Conference Forum on Asia

The Belfast Senior College and the Camden Conference Community Events Committee are pleased to announce a jointly sponsored forum on political themes related to the 2011 Camden Conference topic “The Challenge of Asia”. The event begins with a presentation titled “The Politics of US-China Relations” by November’s Senior College Distinguished Speaker, David Firestein. Firestein, who is Director of Track 2 Diplomacy at the East-West Institute in New York, gave a widely-praised talk on political dissidence in China at a previous Camden Conference Forum in 2005. The second part of the Forum consists of a moderated discussion of the results of President Obama’s November 7-14 trip to three Asian countries (India, South Korea and Japan) during which he will participate in two important summits – the G-20 and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). The moderators for the discussion will be Firestein and Senior College faculty member Bob Rackmales. The November 18 Forum will take place from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Hutchinson Center Auditorium. A light lunch will be provided for participants. The event is free and open to the public.

- Speaker: David Firestein
- Thursday, November 18, 2010
- University of Maine’s Hutchinson Center, Belfast
- 10:00AM – 3:00 PM
- Free
About the speaker: David J. Firestein is EWI’s Director of Track 2 Diplomacy; in this capacity, he leads EWI’s China, Russia and United States initiatives, reporting to the president. A career U.S. diplomat from 1992 to 2010, Firestein is an expert in China, Russia, public diplomacy and U.S. politics. In his Foreign Service career, he served at the U.S. embassies in Beijing and Moscow. Firestein speaks near native-level Chinese and fluent Russian and has interpreted for senior U.S. officials in both languages. Firestein is the author or co-author of several books, articles and other publications. Firestein is a frequent lecturer and speaker on U.S.-China relations, U.S.-Russia relations, public diplomacy, U.S. politics, and country music (especially, the political communication effect of American country music). Firestein taught U.S.-China relations and U.S.-Russia at the University of Texas (Austin) and the Moscow State Institute for International Relations, Russia’s top university for foreign affairs and premier diplomatic training facility. Firestein holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in international relations and master’s degrees from the University of Texas in public affairs and Asian studies. Firestein is a native of Austin, Texas.

This presentation co-sponsored by the Belfast Senior College and is offered as a community event in anticipation of the 24th Annual Camden Conference: The Challenges of Asia, February 18-20, 2010.

Art of Asia and Africa

kimvogel — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:08:56 +0000

Beauty Comes from Use: The Art of Asia and Africa

Western theories of beauty are not universal, and other cultures and civilizations independently developed over long periods of time their own unique ideas about beauty. In this lecture, Farnsworth Director of Education, Roger Dell, will survey theories of beauty from select countries as diverse as India, China, Japan, and Africa. The bronze gods and goddesses of Gupta India, towering landscape paintings of Sung China, lopsided tea cups demonstrating wabi sabi from Muromachi Japan, and 75-lb wooden masks from West Africa will be discussed from the point of view of indigenous ideas about beauty. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Western artists discovered the art from these faraway places and had to reconsider their own ideas of beauty.

Presenter: Roger Dell
Thursday, November 11, 5:30 p.m.
The Strand Theatre, Rockland
Seating is limited to 350 people
$10 ($8 for members of the Farnsworth Museum)
For reservations, please call The Farnsworth Museum at 207-596-0949

Russia and Asia

kimvogel — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:58:12 +0000

What is happening in Russia? Is Moscow trying to build a new empire—along the lines of the defunct Soviet Union—or is it moving toward cooperation and interdependence with the West? What are Russia’s strengths and weaknesses, in the three-way rivalry with the United States and China? This lecture will explore and explain the strategic choices facing the Kremlin, stressing the implications for Asia. Winston Churchill famously described Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, yet Russia today is far less mysterious than during the dark days of the Cold War.

Dr. Holman will take a close look at how the world has changed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russians and Americans used to see each other as bitter enemies in a global struggle for power, but now both are locked in protracted struggles against Muslim insurgents and have suffered terrorist attacks in their own capital cities. He will argue that the United States cannot achieve its own objectives in Afghanistan or the rest of Asia without careful analysis of Russia’s national interests in the region.

- Speaker: Prof. Paul Holman
- Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010
- Camden Public Library
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Free

About the Speaker: Dr. Paul Holman is a Visiting Professor of International Relations for the University of Maine, Orono, serving concurrently as an Adjunct Professor at the Naval War College. He co-edited a number of books including the multi-volume series Fundamentals of Force Planning, and Ethnic Nationalism and Regional Conflict. His many articles on national security have appeared in Naval War College Review, Strategic Review, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Brown Journal of World Affairs, Argentinian Naval War College Review, Air Force Magazine, and U.S. Marine Corps Gazette.

From 1996 to 2003, Dr. Holman served as Professor, Department of Security Studies, George. C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. There, he directed the 15-week Executive Course, teaching mid-career military officers, diplomats, and parliamentarians from all of the formerly communist countries of Europe and Asia. He now resides in Camden and serves on the Camden Conference Board of Directors.

Women in Contemporary India

kimvogel — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:15:51 +0000

RE-ENVISIONING THE IDENTITY OF WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA

Most westerners have very specific preconceptions about the roles and identity of Indian women. The reality, particularly in the 21st century, is often very different. Our opinions are often based in antiquated and/or misguided information that portrays these women purely as victims of ancient, tradition-bound cultures. Yet India is rapidly changing and today’s women, even at the lowest level of society, portray self-initiative and determination to rise above adversity. Throughout the subcontinent, women’s roles are in flux. In many cases the situation is greatly improving, in others a reaction against the threat to traditional values has created new conflicts.

- Speaker: Stephen Huyler
- Thursday, Sept.23, 2010
- Camden Public Library
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Free

About the speaker: Stephen Huyler is a cultural anthropologist living in Camden who has conducted field research in India for the past thirty-nine years. A major focus of his work has been to interview thousands of women throughout the country and to write books that reflect their identities. His two most recent books are: Daughters of India: Art and Identity (NY: Abbeville, 2008) and Sonabai: Another Way of Seeing (San Diego: Mingei International Museum, 2009). Huyler has also produced an award-winning film of the same title as his last book. In 2009, he was challenged by an intensive book tour of India meeting with feminists in major Indian cities. His talk at the Camden Library will discuss some of his new insights.

Belfast Senior College

kimvogel — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:39:19 +0000

National Security under the Obama Administration

Belfast Senior College Course on National Security under the Obama Administration, Thursday mornings at the Hutchinson Center from September 16 – October 21. In addressing participants’ assumptions and concerns about the U.S. intelligence effort today, we will review the basics-the players and the process (intelligence collection, analysis, and support to policymakers). Then we will look at a few problems the Obama Administration has encountered over the past eighteen months, and offer some tentative judgments on its “successes” and “failures” to date. Finally, we will examine a number of the recently enacted or proposed reforms for their likely benefits or negative consequences. Along the way we will consider specific questions such as these: Is the U.S. Intelligence Community, as presently configured, up to the task? If not, what changes are needed? Which targets should be top priority? How much of our intelligence resources should be supporting the war-fighters? What kind of clandestine operations are now out of bounds? What are the ground rules for covert action today? Who should carry out those risky operations? How much “secrecy” is too much? Against whom are we guarding those secrets? How should we punish people who “leak” secrets or otherwise violate the rules? Who gets the job of keeping the government honest on intelligence matters? Who are the major “troublemakers” today at home or abroad? Was Pogo right? What about our so-called “friends”? Does our counter-terrorism strategy meet today’s needs? How are our domestic intelligence or internal security programs faring?

Instructor: Dick Topping
6-week course begins Thursday, 9/16
9:30-11:30 am
All classes are held at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast. To register, please contact Belfast Senior College

About the Instructor: Dick Topping grew up in the northeast, primarily New York City. After graduating from Lehigh University, he served three years in the U.S. Army (stationed in West Berlin during 1961-62). He returned to Columbia University, where he received an M.A. in Public Law & Government and Soviet Area Studies. He then spent 30 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, becoming a senior analyst for Soviet Domestic Politics (focusing on Soviet National Security Issues and the struggle for power within the Soviet Communist Party) and Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy (focusing on relations with China, Japan, and other East Asian nations). Married for over 40 years, Dick and Mary Ann have two children and eight grandchildren. They have lived in Belfast, Maine since 1995. Dick has served on the Belfast Comprehensive Plan Committee, Belfast Zoning Board of Appeals and Camden Conference Board of Directors. Dick is currently a member of the Camden Conference Advisory Council and Program Committee.

Coffee House in Rockland

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:36:42 +0000

Join a discussion group on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:30 am for some free-wheeling conversation covering a multitude of topics. Every 4th Tuesday, Peter Muth joins facilitator Bill Newman for a discussion of globalization.

This ongoing discussion group has continued to thrive for four years. A core group of a dozen or so sometimes swells to eighteen or more individuals who drop in for some free-wheeling conversation covering a multitude of topics. Politics, government, public policy, and current events are usually the focus. Open at no cost to CSC members. New members welcome.

Facilitator William Newman holds a BA from Brooklyn College and an MLS from Columbia University. He continued graduate study in philosophy and history at the New School for Social Research and at Cornell University. Before retiring, Bill was a librarian at various universities in the U.S. and Canada. He has taught many courses for CSC in film, literature, philosophy, and history.

The group meets at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockland

A Woman Explorer in Tibet

kimvogel — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:03:04 +0000

Mabel Cabot will give a slide talk about her book, Vanished Kingdoms: A Woman Explorer in Tibet, China & Mongolia 1921-1925, at the Camden Public Library on Tuesday evening, September 14, at 6:30 pm. Vanished Kingdoms is the story of a remarkable young woman named Janet Elliott Wulsin who, bucking both the traditions and expectations of her upper-class family, escaped her cloistered world in New York to explore remote corners of Western China, Inner Mongolia, and northwestern Tibet. The talk is co-sponsored by the Camden Public Library, the Camden Conference, and the Owl & Turtle bookstore.

Wulsin’s story went largely untold until, after her death in 1963, her daughter, Mabel Cabot, found her mother’s private letters and diaries. Cabot spent the next four years conducting research in the Harvard University Library and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to unravel her mother’s fascinating story. Cabot shares her mother’s adventures in a magnificently illustrated book, which contains over 140 photographs documenting the lost world of Imperial China.

From the Gobi Desert to the Yellow River, Ms. Wulsin and her husband Frederick Wulsin traveled on camelback taking pictures of the local people. From village temples to kitchen utensils, the photographs and slides capture the daily culture and historic traditions of remote peoples, still living in almost complete isolation. Janet Wulsin recorded her journey in letters and photographs but like other female explorers of her era gained little recognition for her adventures. Vanished Kingdom features Wulsin’s original photographs, many hand-colored, in conjunction with her personal writings, those of other expedition members, and historical information provided by the author.

Speaker: Mabel Cabot
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Camden Public Library
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Free

About the speaker: Mabel H. Cabot has had a diversified and adventurous life of her own. Trained as a museum curator, she has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and served as the social secretary to the Reagan White House from 1980 to 1984. Cabot was the Director of Corporate Programming for The Ford Motor Company from 1989-1999. She currently serves on the Board of the American Friends of the British Museum, the International Center for Journalists, The American Repertory Theatre, and the College of the Atlantic, and is presently on the staff of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts and West Tremont, Maine, with her husband, Louis W. Cabot.

The Kremlin in Asia

kimvogel — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:26:06 +0000

- Speaker: Prof. Paul Holman
- Tuesday, Sept.14, 2010
- Belfast Free Library
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Free