Graffiti Tour of Ottawa?

Thanks to friends and followers who have shared some of your best graffiti shots. I will be posting them over the next few weeks. Today’s photo was taken in the Gatineau area (Ottawa region) by Jari V.

Ottawa has three legal graffiti walls:

George Dunbar Bridge on Bronson Avenue, near Carleton University.

Ottawa Technical High School on Slater Street in Centretown.

A skate park at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orléans.

These is some of the Graffiti work you can find in Canada's capital city… perhaps you would like to take a Graffiti tour of the city: http://web.ncf.ca/bf250/mural9.html

There is debate about the difference between graffiti walls and murals, the usefulness of them and the effect they produce. According to a CBC story about Legal Graffiti Walls “Official graffiti walls intended to reduce unwanted graffiti in neighbourhoods have had the opposite effect”.

Toronto’s mayor Rob Ford seems to agree with that report. He has apparently hired Graffiti police just to keep the city under strict rule. What are your thoughts? What should be the approach?

Ontario colleges join forces with Irish institutes of technology

(Toronto, Nov. 24, 2011) – Colleges Ontario, the organization representing Ontario's 24 colleges, is joining forces with Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) to sign a unique agreement that allows Ontario college students to complete degree programs in Ireland.

In return, Irish students will ultimately be able to obtain graduate certificates from Ontario colleges...

 For the rest of the article  please click:  
Unique link creates student mobility between Ireland and Ontario

Hosier Lane, a place were Graffiti is encouraged...

A crisp cold morning in Australia’s second largest city. I go out for a walk without a Lonely Planet in hand. I like to explore “unknowingly” and discover things for myself, even if they have already been discovered by others and described on Wikipedia. Opposite to the entrance to the Atrium at Federation Square in Melbourne, I come across this interesting corner of the world called Hosier Lane. It is a much-celebrated landmark that I had never heard about. In the beauty of that August day, as the sun hit brilliantly above the cold breeze, the place opened up to me. There was my own fantasy book. If newly weds come to this spot to have their photos taken right after their service, why not me. I happily walked down that isle, taking my time to admire.

A few shots away and I was out of there. Photos are great time-immortalizers, but they cannot compare to the face-to-face experience. My images of Hosier Lane went into storage, until I unearth them the other day.

These are the only three images I could find. They are the reminders of that city installation of unique quality, of vibrant colours, textures and styles. That was an interesting spot worth stumbling upon, as I did. Here’s a link to a photography blog by Dev Wijewardane who also  “talks” about Hosier Lane. Enjoy!!!

Graffiti in Libya, opening a new tab on Across Borders

Graffiti can be considered a form of art. I have admired colourful murals along subway tunnels or train tracks. It can also be understood as a mechanism for transgression. There is a saying in Spanish which states that “walls are the villain’s paper” (La pared y la muralla son el papel del canalla). In most places in the world, including Canada, Graffiti is banned as it is considered a form of vandalism and a violation of private property. Nevertheless, some very important statements have appeared in public spaces. There are voices that interact and coexist with passersby. Some pieces tell stories, raise awareness or communicate discomfort. Some others add mess, to an already chaotic environment.  

Graffiti, from the Italian graffito, can be a form of writing, scratching and drawing. It is said to be as ancient as Western civilization but popularized with the advent of pop culture. Nowadays, there are some spots in the world where graffiti is welcome. The Hosier Lane, in Melbourne is one of them. The main image chosen for this blog comes from there. I was amazed by the beauty of the different images displayed along this lane, which I stumbled upon by accident.

I find Graffiti on the borderline between art as a form of expression and art as a voice of contravention. I would like to explore that aspect by creating a new tab on this blog called Graffiti. If Facebook has created a “virtual wall”, made available for us to “leave a message”. I hope that the graffiti section on Across Borders, would inspire our creative minds to cross the boundaries of meaning and message as well. Whenever I, or any of my friends pass by an inspiring graffiti, I would like to bring it back here for discussion.

I would like to start with this interesting collection of images from Libya, taken during the recent events. They reflect the images of the character who ruled the country for over 40 years. Thoughts?

(Courtesy of CBC’s video-journalist SP). 

Position Announcement - Northern Illinois University

Assistant Professor in Adult and Higher Education – Student Affairs 

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education 

Northern Illinois University 

The Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University seeks to hire an Assistant Professor with expertise in student affairs/higher education. The CAHE department is one of six units in the College of Education, and offers a master’s and doctoral degree in Adult and Higher Education. The qualified candidate is expected to teach graduate courses in Adult and Higher Education both on and off campus. This position is a permanent, tenure-track position with salary based on experience. Appointment will commence August 16, 2012. 

Required Qualifications: 

1. An earned doctorate (by the start of the appointment) from an accredited university in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Adult Education, or closely related field 

2. Professional work experience in student affairs 

3. Excellent communication skills 

4. Evidence of scholarly research 

5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students from culturally diverse backgrounds 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Experience in a cross-section of postsecondary institutions 

2. Evidence of scholarly productivity related to student affairs 

3. Ability to contribute to program administration 

4. Successful experience teaching and advising at the graduate education level 

5. Experience using a variety of instructional technology in teaching and delivery methods 

6. Evidence of published research, grants and conference presentations. 

To apply: Send a letter of application addressing qualifications, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three references. 

Adult and Higher Education Student Affairs Search Committee Chair 

Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education 

200 Gabel Hall 

Northern Illinois University 

DeKalb, IL 60115-2867 

cahe@niu.edu 

Deadline: Review of applications will begin on December 1 and continue until the position is filled. 

Questions: Contact Dr. Carol Patitu at 815.753.7608; E-mail: clpatitu@niu.edu 

Pre-employment criminal background investigation required. 

Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. The Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University afford equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation and sexual orientation. NIU recognizes dual career issues. 

Manager, International Partnerships and Programs Algonquin College

Job Posted Until: 09-Nov-2011 (noon)
Job Description   Reporting to the Director, International Education Centre,  Manager International Projects will be responsible for overseeing initiatives of  the International Education Centre in the areas of programs and partnerships. Responsible for analyzing and developing international programs  and partnership opportunities, formulating proposals and working with academic personnel  to design proposals and partnership models, and for developing, managing and sustaining  the College’s international partnerships in key markets around the world. The incumbent will be responsible for business development, dissemination of marketing materials,  development and coordination of program and partnership proposals, development and maintenance  of partnership implementation plans and travel for the development and managing of program and  partnerships. He/ she will work closely with various academic departments and services of the College  in order to ensure programs and services meet the needs of international students.  He/she will be responsible for gathering intelligence and informing the Director of new trends,  opportunities and potential business in markets abroad. For more information click here.

Vacancy at Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia)

The International Centre (formerly International Student & Exchange Services) has a job opening for an International Student Advisor. 
The full job posting and details about applying can be found at http://staffingservices.dal.ca/vacancies.php  Please note, a detailed job description 
is available by request-- recruitmentandretention@dal.ca 
 
Please note that the position closes on Thursday November 17, 2011. Only candidates who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted