DOUBLE TAKE

A sign that popped up near the arboretum this fall looked like so many others across campus announcing future construction projects—except there are no plans for an Emma Goldman Institute for Anarchist Studies.

But Steve Lambert, a soft-spoken former schoolteacher in the Master of Fine Arts program, said he hopes his artwork will lead people to at least consider the possibility of a building devoted to anarchist, peace, women’s, cultural and labor history studies. “I think it should exist,” Lambert said. “Those things are worthy of study.”

Actually, many of those subjects are studied elsewhere on campus, and UC Berkeley does hold a collection of Goldman’s papers—though a Goldman dance studio described in the sign might be a first. The American anarchist and feminist, who died in 1940, is often quoted as having said: “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”

Lambert grew up in San Francisco visiting natural history and science museums but not art galleries. He likes placing artworks in unexpected places, like campus roadsides, city fences and walls and even grocery-store shelves. “I still have a soft spot for people who may not necessarily relate to art, who think it’s boring.”

Viewers didn’t seem to find this work boring. A few folks told campus grounds manager Sal Genito that they found the sign funny. A number of other people, however, weren’t amused. Some said it was insulting to Jews and asked campus officials to remove it.

The sign makes reference to Russian anarchist Mikhail Bakunin, who made anti-Semitic remarks—which Lambert rejects. “Those ideas are not primarily what he was known for, nor the reason he was included,” said Lambert. He said his own beliefs are more akin to those of Goldman, who was Jewish.

Lambert’s other art projects include a Crazy You soap box that he “reverse shoplifted” into supermarkets. The box reads, in part: “Yes, the world has gone completely crazy. You are not the only one who has noticed. Tell others.”

Lambert said he wants his art to be interactive, like a conversation. So during fall quarter, when the Quad was a festival of information booths, Lambert set up his own table with a sign: “I will talk to anyone about anything. Free.” More of his work can be seen at www.budgetgallery.org/slambert/.

BIG BREAK

In another life, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef might have worked by day fixing cars and played pool by night. In fact, in a questionnaire for an upcoming article in Sacramento Magazine, the chancellor revealed that as a child he wanted to be a mechanic and that in college he was something of a pool shark.

Asked to name the best decision he ever made, Vanderhoef said “to get out of the pool hall and into the classroom.”

Maril Stratton, assistant chancellor for communications, said: “He quickly learned he could play better than most of his college compatriots and made some pretty good money hustling—so much so that he ended up on academic probation.”

Vanderhoef changed his habits enough to earn a doctorate in plant biochemistry.

BAND-UH AID

The Aggie Band-uh came to the rescue in October when the football team suddenly found itself without a flight to a game against North Dakota State.

The team’s chartered plane became unavailable a few days before the game, so the band gave up 42 seats on commercial flights. Band members drove the two-day trip to Fargo instead to see the Aggies win 20-14.

MARTHA'S MAN?

Ryan Danz ’00 of Cardiff-by-the-Sea was a candidate on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. As this magazine was going to press, Danz had made it through eight episodes without getting “fired.” A Web site for the show quotes him as saying, “My ‘Martha’ qualities include my great fashion sense and my killer tangerine soufflé with orange sauce.” But Danz, who grew up in Marin, told the Marin Independent Journal that if he could have his own reality show it would be called The Drywaller, with contestants competing to hang the most sheetrock in a 13-week period.

ON THE 'NET

Fourth-year student Lykisha Beasley is featured on a Nike Web site, where she discusses her love of basketball, Michael Jordan and her 125 pairs of athletic shoes, including 25 pairs of Jordans. To read, go to www.nike.com/jumpman23/features/summer/index.jsp and follow the links to Quentin and Sneakerhead Summer.