You read the title right, as of February 9, 2012, Chris “Geeb” Smith is officially a published scholar. The paper entitled, Jason Salavon in Post-Pop, was written almost 2 years ago in a graduate Arts Technology Seminar Course (Rose, you rock!). It feels weird to read it now… something I spoke about half-way around the globe so long ago. I feel like I’ve grown professionally and as a person since its incarnation. For the most part I’m still the same Chris/Geeb, but It would seem I have other priorities now. Careers, graduation, relocation can do that to a guy. I love to write, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be writing this blog if I didn’t enjoy it. It is all about progress, moving on to the next big thing. I’m still proud of this paper, and happy I had the opportunity speak about it.

So what happened?

Over the summer of 2010 I was granted a wonderful opportunity to present my paper at a fine arts conference in Athens, Greece. The presentation went extremely well and I received a lot of compliments. I was told my paper might be chosen to be included in an art book/journal, but the wait would most likely be a few years. This book consisted of selected papers from over 2 years worth of international Fine and Performing Art conferences. These conferences were organized by the Athen’s Institute for Education and Research (ATINER) to which the book would be published. The final book contains 33 papers divided into sections. My section is entitled, “Part E: Can Art Change the World – or Vice Versa?”. I think we all know the answer to that question.

Read Jason Salavon in Post-Pop on Google Docs

During my 5 night stay I was tied up with conferences for most of the time, but I did get to explore the wonderful city of Athens. My favorite spot to visit was the old Acropolis area around the Parthenon. Great people and wonderful Greek cuisine. Despite visiting Greece in troubled economic times, I seemed to escape all the dangerous riots going on around that time.

I’d like to thank John Walker and the College of Fine Arts for funding my expedition. Getting to Greece would have been much more difficult without them.  Big thanks to Rose Marshack for teaching the course and pushing me along. Thanks to Blase Mnich as well for doing a final proofread.  But enough words, check out some of my favorite pictures below!