teiire
Thursday, November 11,1993
The Battalion
Page 3
German journalists
SHARE PERSPECTIVES
Mack Harrison/THE Battalion
Visiting journalists from Germany: Beate Werner, Connie Schulz, Ulrike Bieritz, Stephan Grafen and Toni Rupprecht (not shown) discuss their
views of Americans and of German reunification. They are visiting America to learn how the media interacts with government.
By Margaret Claughton
The Battalion
O ver the past two weeks, members of the
Texas A&M faculty and staff have been
showing five visiting journalists from
Germany the finer points of the University.
Beate Werner, Ulrike Bieritz, Connie Schulz,
Stephan Grafen and Toni Rupprecht came to
the U.S. three weeks ago.
After beginning their trip in Washington
D.C, they came to Texas A&M to experience an
American university. The five are involved in
an exchange program to observe the way
American media relates to fheir government.
Before coming to the U.S., the group naturally
had some preconceived ideas of what America
would be like. They were surprised at the differ
ences between German and American cultures.
"You are very friendly," said Grafen, editor
for a German radio newschannel.
Werner, who works as a TV reporter and an
chorwoman, said, "One of the big differences
we noticed was how quickly you come into
contact with people. For example, you
wouldn't say 'Howdy' to someone on the street
in Germany."
Rupprecht, a DJ. for a German radio station,
said, "Even in Washington D.C., we were talk
ing in German and someone just walked up
and said, 'Hey, where are you from?' This
would never happen in Germany. People in
Germany are cooler, more shy."
In addition to friendly folks, the German vis
itors discovered America has her share of crimi
nals as well.
"We had to get used to the fact that America
is a very violent country, especially in Washing
ton," Werner said. "People told us not to go
use the metro after a certain time or not to go in
See journalists/Page 6
A&M faculty
and students to
showcase work
By Joe Leih
The Battalion
Six Texas A&M student and faculty pro
jects will be showcased at the seventh annu
al Dallas Video Festival.
The festival will launch its four days of
approximately 250 video screenings, panel
discussions and technology demonstrations
tonight at the Dallas Museum of Art.
One of the exhibits that will be shown all
four days is "Bentlow Stairs: An Electronic
Artist's Book."
"Stairs," created by Ed Cunnius, Elnor
Kinsella and Jeff Raymond, architecture
graduate students; Susan Kirchman, associ
ate professor of architecture; and Alan Sta-
cell, professor of architecture, uses images
and words to allow a user to explore a story
about a futuristic sea-drifting city.
Kirchman said, "The piece is interactive.
Each person travels through the story in their
own way."
The user sits at a table surrounded by
computer printouts of the story's characters
and moves a computer mouse, directing a
cursor about the images and words present
ed on a large screen. The user then follows
one of many possible story lines by employ
ing the mouse to find "links" to other images
and words.
Kinsella said the story deals with many
philosophical aspects of today's society.
"The story addresses the basic assumptions
we make about building cities — the struc
tures we operate in, environmental issues and
population growth," she said.
"Beware Behave Be Still," "Be Still" and
"Residue" are three other works that will be
shown at the festival. These pieces, created by
Brian Green, an architecture graduate student,
are combinations of computer animation and
See Video/Page 6
Dylan brings new calmness
to World Gone Wrong’
Nah.
Bob Dylan's style has
simply quieted down and
weathered with wisdom
throughout the years.
"World Gone Wrong,"
an album full of traditional
folk songs arranged by Dy
lan, perfectly displays this
living legend's newfound
calmness.
Each song in the album
features nothing more than
See Dylan/Page 6
■ t •
Seascape,’ a splash of insightful humor
By Dena Dizdar
The Battalion
"Seascape" by Edward Albee
Starring Amy Looper, Jeff Wilson, Richard Kretzer
and Sarah Hennessy
Directed by Robert Wenck
Playing at Rudder Forum Nov. 10-13, 845-1234
A middle-aged couple meets up with two talking sea
lizards, they have a philosophical discussion about life and
become friends.
Sounds strange and unbelievable, but The Aggie Players
manage to breathe life into Edward Albee's "Seascape" with
natural performances and a steady rhythm that keeps the au
dience involved and interested.
In a play with only four characters and no scene changes,
the only element the audience has to concentrate on is the
acting and the dialogue. Luckily, the audience is led through
the story by likable characters who in some way seem to re
mind us of ourselves or someone we know.
Amy Looper's portrayal of Nancy, a middle-aged woman
who wants to find out what life has to offer, is believable and
endearing. Her thoughtful performance almost makes us
forget she's a college freshman. Opposite Looper is Jeff Wil
son who plays Charlie, Nancy's unbudgeable husband. His
mature presence brings vitality to a character whose life goal
is just to get a little rest.
The couple is resting on the beach discussing what to do
with their lives now that they have reached middle age.
Nancy is adventurous and gives many suggestions for excit
ing journeys they could take. But Charlie is content just to
lie on the sand and relax. He says they've earned a little rest;
to which, Nancy says, "We've earned a little life."
See 'Seascape'/Page 6
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Lauren Donahue/The Battalion
Sarah Hennessy, Jeff Wilson, Richard Kretzer and Amy
Looper star in The Aggie Players' production of 'Seascape.'
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