Art as Resistance
Tuesday-Thursday, April 22-24
CSM Theatre Building 3
Tuesday, April 22: “Sewing” Seeds of Change: Fashion & Climate Justice
9:45 am |
Film Screening & Interdisciplinary PanelFilms:
Led by Prof. Edgar Mojica Villegas, the first installment of the Film Series will tackle the global implications of fast-fashion. From the socioeconomic level to the climate at large, this segment of the series will critically examine the literal fabrics of our lives. The two films for this installment will highlight the current state of fashion and climate justice. Students will have the opportunity to reflect and participate in a panel following the screening. This panel features faculty specializing in globalization, environmental studies,
and fashion, and will tackle everything from dissecting the issues to sharing actionable
takeaways for the participants.
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11:10 am |
Mira Musank Lecture & Interactive Textile ExhibitMira Musank, founder of Fafafoom Studio, will give a vibrant and inspiring lecture on how her art synthesizes fashion, sustainability, and climate justice. Students will be invited for an open Q&A session with Mira and Prof. Villegas following
her presentation.
Mira Musank is an interdisciplinary fiber artist who tackles overconsumption and waste in climate art activism. Based in the East Bay of San Francisco Bay Area, California – land of Indigenous tribesMuwekma, Ohlone, and Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Mira constructs custom garments by repurposing textile samples, used clothes, and fabric remnants. Through an intuitive process of sewing, weaving, and hand embroidery, Mira aims to give second chances to so-called textile waste with intimate yet expressive intentions. Fafafoom Studio is a design hub to Reimagine, Repair, and Refashion used clothes and discarded textiles by Mira Musank. To date, Fafafoom Studio has diverted approximately 275 lbs. of used clothes and discarded textiles from landfill since 2018. |
All Day |
Student Art Display: “What is the Real Cost?”In the Theatre lobby, attendees will be invited to interact with various textiles in the contest of a greater question: “What is the Real Cost?” In addition to a tactile exploration of the many fabrics involved in modern fashion, participants will be presented with the environmental and social cost of each type of fabric and invited in a candid and open discussion to consider their own garments in this context. Student art of each textile type will be on display in the Theatre lobby, featuring
over twenty art pieces from students in Prof. Zina Deretsky’s ART 204, Drawing I.
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Wednesday, April 23: Strength Through Song: Protest Music Then & Now
9:45 am |
Film Screening & Live PerformanceFilm: The Children’s March Dr. Frederick Gaines will walk students through the history of protest songs during the Civil Rights era, and host an open conversation for their long-lasting impacts to this day. Following the film and conversation will be a performance by Domingo & Friends, whose
historical and musical connections reinforce the living and vibrant history of protest
music shown in Dr. Gaines’ powerful presentation.
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11:00 am |
Live Concert: Domingo & FriendsThe second half of Strength Through Song puts the spotlight entirely on Domingo & Friends for a full set of protest music
in an inspiring live concert. The audience will take part in this living history
by singing as a chorus for a completely unique and transformative experience through
song.
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Thursday, April 24: Roots and Routes: Diasporic Imagination
11:10 am |
Film Screening & Interdisciplinary PanelFilms:
Prof. Malathi Iyengar’s multifaceted vision will bring students into multiple different worlds of art, sound, dance, spoken-word, and film. Bookending the screening of Maisa: The Chamorro Girl Who Saved Guahan are two stunning spoken-word pieces: “Hikeule’o” | Written and performed by CSM alumna Leila Tamale, with video produced by Yoram Savion “The Legend of Pepesa” | Written and performed by CSM alumna Nia Vainikolo, with photo montage by CSM student Van Do Prof. Iyengar will host a panel with the alumni following their presentations to further
discuss their art and its critical importance to cultural fabrics.
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12:45 pm |
Oceánica Ballet & Artist InterviewOceánica Ballet will present a special live preview performance of Act 1 of the upcoming world premiere
Alicia in the Land of Wonders. This new narrative ballet relates the tale of Alicia, the daughter of immigrants
to the U.S., who reconnects with her heritage through Mexican folktales, images, and
music woven together in an adventure loosely inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Choreographed by Oceánica Ballet Artistic Co-Directors Edgar Lepe and Robert Burns
Lowman, Alicia in the Land of Wonders features music by José Elizondo, various Mexican composers, and others. As part of
CSM’s Ethnic Studies Film Series theme “art as resistance,” this unticketed event
is free and open to the public and will be followed by a brief Q&A session with the
artists.
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November 10, 2025
November 27-28, 2025
December 9-15, 2025