Author Archives: Katherine Wikoff

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About Katherine Wikoff

I am a college professor (PhD in English, concentration rhetoric) at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I teach film and media studies, political science, digital society, digital storytelling, writing for digital media, and communication. While fragments of my teaching and scholarship interests may quite naturally meander over to my blog, this space is intended to function as a creative outlet, not as part of my professional practice. Opinions are my own, etc.

Fun with light and shadow

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Just some random photos of light/shadow that caught my eye today. First this one, of a parking garage, that I saw on my way back from a mid-morning Starbucks run. Then this one (actually two slightly different photos in quick … Continue reading →

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Sign of Spring

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Workers hosed out the remaining ice yesterday, and today the rink at Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park looks like its summer self. It still feels like winter, even if sunny and mid-March mild, but here is a hint of warmer days … Continue reading →

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Red Arrow in bright sunlight

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Days like this I wish I had a better camera. Or maybe I should say: I wish I had a better phone, because I actually do have a better(ish) camera at home that is never handy for spur-of-the-moment shots. Here … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Milwaukee, Movies and film, Popular culture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Rothko, Rothko Everywhere (glass-blowing video at the Grohmann Museum)

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

I was walking through the third floor of the Grohmann Museum today, when this section of a wall-mounted video display caught my eye. My phone camera could not do justice to the video’s vibrant colors, but doesn’t it still remind … Continue reading →

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Won’t you be my neighbor?

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Fifty years ago today “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” the most caring children’s television show ever, made its debut. You’ve probably seen this before, but it’s worth watching again: Fred Rogers testifying before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications in 1969 in support … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, Life, Popular culture, Teaching, Television | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Winter’s Bright

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

More snow Friday and Sunday, but Milwaukee is getting lots of sunshine today. So often bright sun in winter means bitter cold, but today it’s pretty warm outside. I didn’t even need my scarf or gloves walking between buildings, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Milwaukee, Nature, Photography | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sergei Eisenstein’s Google Doodle (and cinema tropes)

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Monday’s Google Doodle honored revolutionary Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. Here is a cool video I found that provides a little biographical info along with the actual Google Doodle. Sergei Eisenstein was the first “modern” filmmaker. He basically invented modern film … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, History, Milwaukee, Movies and film, Music, Popular culture, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Protective Coloration

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Like a zebra or tiger, this garbage can’s “disruptive coloration” stripes allow it to blend in with its environment . . . at least during the time of day that afternoon sun pours into the Grohmann Museum via its four-story … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Books and reading, Milwaukee, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

“Notorious” Associations

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

The old Duran Duran song “Notorious” was playing at the Red Arrow Starbucks (and outside at the ice rink, as well) when I made a coffee run earlier this afternoon. You know how music—like smells—can instantly transport you to another … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies and film, Music, Popular culture | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Unleashing the potential of VR (virtual reality)

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Katherine Wikoff

Virtual reality (VR) is going to shape itself into an art form that is quite different from contemporary cinema. We can’t really predict yet how things will turn out, although my bet is that movies as we know them are here … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Learning, Life, Movies and film, News, Popular culture, Teaching, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments