During his time at MCAD, Kinji Akagawa has often brought up the idea of the artistic practice as a combination of work, work, and work: what you do or make, the dialogue your work creates, and the work of critique.

Since learning from Kinji, how have you integrated this concept of work into your daily life?  How as he influenced your thoughts on art, teaching, and practice?  In compiling a catalog on the occasion of Kinji’s retirement, we are seeking responses on these questions, notes from your old notes, sketches, quotes, thoughts or reflections on how Kinji’s approach to artmaking has influenced your life and work at and since MCAD.

Please limit your responses to 300 words or less, or a single image file. We look forward to your responses and thank you in advance.

<h3 style=“padding:1em 0; border-top:1px #ccc”>Exhibition Schedule</h3>

Alumni Exhibition: January 16–February 22, 2009, MCAD Gallery
Reunion Weekend: February 6–8, 2009, MCAD Campus
Evening Tribute to Kinji with Michael Mercil ’78 and Ann Hamilton: February 7, 2009, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Please join us for an exciting and memorable weekend in conjunction with the alumni exhibition, Paradigm Shift: MCAD Alumni & Friends Honor Kinji Akagawa. Featured will be an array of activities for you to reconnect with classmates and faculty, see the work by former classmates, learn about the College today and pay homage to our respected teacher and artist. All MCAD alumni, former students and guests are welcome to attend. 

Presented by the MCAD Alumni Association, funds raised in conjunction with the exhibition and reunion will go to The Kinji Akagawa Fund for Interdisciplinary Studies at MCAD.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

6 – 9 p.m.
Opening Reception / Welcome
Paradigm Shift: MCAD Alumni & Friends Honor Kinji Akagawa
MCAD Gallery

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

10 am – Noon
MCAD Student Portfolio Review
An informal overview of work being created by MCAD students today
MCAD Auditorium 150

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
“Eat Street” Lunch
Enjoy lunch at one of the neighborhood’s ethnic eateries

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Bonanza!  Projects / Ideas / Reflections
In the populous Pecha Kucha style, fellow alums office concise, lightening-fast presentations on whatever they want. 
MCAD Auditorium 150

7 p.m.
Evening Tribute to Kinji, with Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil ’78
Renowned artists Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil offer a performance piece in honor of Kinji with food, music and opportunities for your own participation as part of this celebration benefiting The Kinji Akagawa Fund for Interdisciplinary Studies. Tickets:  $100 per person / $50 MCAD alumni, staff and faculty.
Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Noon to 4 p.m.
Twin Cities Public Art Tour
Presented by FORECAST Public Art and Jack Becker ‘76
Bus transportation provided from MCAD ($20 per person)

For more information and to RSVP contact Doug Nathan, MCAD Alumni Relations, 612-874-3790 or doug_nathan@mcad.edu

PARADIGM SHIFT: MCAD ALUMNI & FRIENDS HONOR KINJI AKAGAWA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Jack Becker ‘76
Doc Czypinski ‘98
Alice Dodge ‘08
Carole Fisher ‘64
Ann Hamilton
Bethany Kalk ‘05
Betsy Massie
Lars Mason
Shawn McCann ‘02
Michael Mercil ‘78
Dave Mohr ‘01
Jane Powers ’93, ‘98
Erika Ritzel ‘06
Cindy Theis