Wonenberg is nearing the completion of the sculptures that he has been commissioned to create as part of a Chinese urban improvement program, the Changchun China International Sculpture Symposium.
When finally displayed at the Changchun Sculpture Park, Wonenberg’s artwork — named “Totem-Standing Together” — will comprise twin pieces that stand approximately ten feet tall.
The first piece will be made from stainless steel, while the other will be made from bronze.
According to Wonenberg, the bronze piece will possess “some texture, some polished reflective surfaces, and the warm feel of the bronze,” while the stainless steel piece will be “highly polished, reflective and cool.”
The artwork, which caught the eye of university officials who eventually offered Wonenberg a visiting professorship position to teach at Changchun University, will first be unveiled to the Chinese public in two weeks at Changchun’s Sculpture Park.
There the stainless steel piece will be accompanied by a fiberglass piece that has been painted to emulate bronze.
The art work will be on display for the two-day sculpture conference were many other visiting artists will be in attendance.
The sculptures will then be moved and displayed at the cities Victory Park in the heart of the cities center for about three years, where the bronze sculpture will replace the fiberglass piece.
At the end of the three years the sculptures will then be transferred back to their permanent place in Changchun World Sculpture Park.
The Changchun China International Sculpture Symposium invites artists and sculptors from around the world to create sculptures that promote the theme of “Friendship, Peace, and Spring.”
From the program’s inception in 2000, more than 350 sculptors from 172 countries have created 391 sculptures for the city representing different artistic styles from around the world.
Artists from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Monaco, Nicaragua, Barbados, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Vanuatu, and other countries have made the trek to China in previous years to sculpt their artwork.
The sculptures are all displayed in the 92-hectare Changchun World Sculpture Park.
This year, the symposium, which will run until Sept. 7, invited artists from a list of select countries, including the CNMI, to submit sculpture proposals showing the national and local cultures of their respective countries.
After an extensive review process and approval by distinguished Chinese artists, only 31 artists were invited to participate this year.
“I am extremely honored that my art has been recognized on an international scale,” said Wonenberg.
In addition to the permanent display of his completed sculpture at the Changchun World Sculpture Park, Wonenberg also received an allowance of $2,000, roundtrip ticket to and accommodations in Changchun, and sight-seeing activities.
The organizing committee also provides him with assistants to help build the sculptures.
Chin-Seid supporters to hold rally
THE Chin-Seid supporters on Saipan are inviting the public to attend a rally on Saturday, Aug, 30, starting at 1 p.m. at Lali 4 in Chalan Kanoa.
Entertainment and refreshments will be provided and a DVD featuring the Chin-Seid rallies from various states in Palau will also be shown.
“Come one, come all to enjoy the day and discuss the upcoming primary elections with your fellow Palauans,” the rally organizers said in their media release.
Fitial meets Philippine cabinet member
(Office of the Governor) — Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday met with Dr. Dante A. Ang, a member of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s cabinet.
Ang, who is visiting the CNMI for the first time, serves as the chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
Before being appointed to Arroyo’s cabinet, Ang was the publisher, president and chairman of the Manila Times, the oldest newspaper in the Philippines, established in 1898.
“I am very much honored to meet a member of the Philippine government’s cabinet,” said Fitial. “Dr. Ang is a very knowledgeable and interesting man.”
Secretary of Finance Eloy Inos joined Fitial in meeting. Ang and discussing a wide range of topics, including education, alternative energy, health care, business, and the CNMI economy.
Ang told the governor that he likes the CNMI and plans to return for future visits.
Northern Marianas College President Carmen Fernandez also joined Fitial and Inos in meeting the Philippine cabinet member.
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag at nine sites on Saipan and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
Samples collected from San Roque School Beach, DPW Channel Bridge, S. Puerto Rico Dump, Hafa adai Hotel, Hafa-Adai Drainage, Garapan Fishing Dock, Sugar Dock, and CK District #2 Drainage, on Saipan contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria — enterococci — that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards.
These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. However, studies have shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
Tinian and Managaha waters are assigned a green flag.
DEQ analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 50 locations on Saipan, 10 on Tinian, 12 on Rota and a total of 11 samples from the shore surrounding Managaha.
For more information, call 664-8500.
Revised ferry schedule
STARTING Wednesday, Sept. 3, the ferry will leave Saipan at 5 p.m. and depart from Tinian at 1 p.m., a media release stated.
The schedule is subject to change.
For more information Saipan terminal at 323-3200 or the Tinian terminal at 433-0865.
Chacha orientation
(COJHS) — Chacha Ocean View Jr. High School will be having a student orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Should you have any questions and/or comments, call 237-3921 or 664-4100.
Extension of Anatahan emergency
The declaration restricted all travel to the island with the exception of scientific expeditions.
By the authority vested in him by Article III, Section 10 of the Commonwealth Constitution and 3 CMC §5121, and in consultation with the Emergency Management Office and the U.S. Geological Survey, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has extended a state of disaster emergency in the commonwealth with respect to Anatahan.
This extension of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, unless the governor will, prior to the end of the 30-day period, notify the presiding officers of the Legislature that the state of emergency has been revoked or further extended for a like term, and giving reasons for extending the emergency.
