After
focusing exclusively on aquarium management for a time, Piterson
realized that he had inadvertently abandoned his wooden skeleton. He
spoke with the IP faculty, who in turn suggested that he bring his work
into "The Makers' Space": the upstairs, art-meets-IP studio in the IP
building. If Piterson positioned himself in a workspace, we explained,
perhaps he might see new routes for his project.Since this move, Piterson has admirably regained momentum. He began to gather sticks in earnest from the woods surrounding Kildonan. He also received the support of the entire community in acquiring a saw table; the cleanness of his creations immediately improved due to the clamps and equipment that came with this tool. He blew up pictures of the leg and projected them upon a giant flatscreen TV in the studio, rotating 3D models of bones using software on his computer. Ultimately, he moved forward using a combination of the visual and kinesthetic: adding to his skeleton using the saw table, studying an image, spinning it, finding another, studying that, and continuing to build.
All of this diligent work allowed Piterson to present a surprise to the IP team: two finished legs (upper, lower, feet, and toes). He should feel proud of his creations, for they are not only beautiful works of art but also the products of an emerging understanding of the human body. And...where will he go next? He is already traveling up the body to consider the construction of the pelvis.
Have a thought to share? Please post in the comments section below.
Description of the image: Piterson holding his skeleton's legs. Photo taken by IP faculty.
With
only twenty-eight school days remaining in Kildonan's academic year,
all graduating students (seniors and PG's) have their minds on college.
As they continue to announce their final decisions, we would like to
celebrate with two statistics:
On
Friday, April 17th, the IP community celebrated an unprecedented
event. Four students - Tim, Trey, Khaled, and Bull - organized a
presentation for Kildonan's 
Thank
you, fellow IPians, for supporting these four students as they designed
and executed this presentation. Thank you, Tim, Trey, Khaled, and
Bull, for representing your community members and for facilitating a
thought-provoking, professional discussion. Thank you, Mr. Pendergast,
for scheduling IP into the Board's agenda. Last but not least, thank
you, Trustees, for proving a receptive audience and for supporting the
program as it looks to the future.
On Friday, April 10th, the IP community shifted part of its focus to
the future. Early in the afternoon, current IPians organized a luncheon
for prospective students. Over pizza and soda, they considered expert
questions concerning a number of issues (e.g., the program's structure
and requirements, collaboration between IPians, "product"- vs.
"process"-based learning). Current IP students also shared stories of
their own experiences within IP, explaining the tribulations early on as
well as the conventions, internships, concerts, and other opportunities
that they celebrate in the present. The meal disbanded with a sense of
hope, with the promise that other students might soon enter the fold of
the IP community.
No
matter the changes the program undergoes - including projected
increases in its enrollment - we look forward to the challenges and joys
of meeting the needs of another IP community in the future.
Since
this initial hypnosis, Misha infused 56 Leonard into his work, even
crafting a paper model of the building in his art class. Recently, too, a break arrived. Returning from Killington, Misha was
traveling with a
Kildonan parent who happens to be wedded to one of the building's
developers. Misha detailed his interest in the building, and not soon
after, an agreement was met: he would tour the building with the
developer.
Misha's
experience does not quite end there either. After submitting a resume
to the developer in search of an internship, Misha has secured an
internship with 
We
in IP believe strongly not only in championing the conditions that
allow authentic student-driven learning but also in connecting with
like-minded individuals and organizations. One of these is 
Since securing her installation space, Michaela has spent
little time in the IP building. Instead, she has frequented her studio. She has repurposed existing pieces, explored
artists such as 
We
in IP pride ourselves on our efforts to break down the physical walls
of the classroom, to encourage one another to seek our passions well
beyond the boundaries of the IP building (and Kildonan, more
generally). In keeping with this philosophy, Max D. approached the IP team
one day with an exciting request. Inspired by 
During his time at NEMCON, Max was able to explode his understanding of magic and illusion. He noted fondly that