Artsminded: Who’s got the beat?

• Phyllis Goldin

Phyllis Goldin

Talk about it

Be still my beating heart! Approaching Valentine’s Day here’s a story that ought to give us heart and reveal, once again, the remarkable connection between art and science.

Dr. Billy Cohn and Dr. Bud Frazier of the Texas Heart Institute have created a new implant to replace the terminal human heart. Sufficient research is not yet available to bring the device to market, but in June 2011 a calf named Abigail was flourishing in the Institute’s laboratory after receiving it.

Now, here’s what makes this “artificial heart” different from other inventions dating back almost 43 years. This one has no audible beat.

It consists of dual turbine-like centrifugal pumps that continuously spin to circulate blood throughout the body. Consequently, Abigail doesn’t have a heartbeat, pulse or electrical pattern on an EKG, usual characteristics of living beings.

There may be bias toward pulsing artificial hearts among biomedical companies but, as Dr. Cohn points out, the original flying machines with flapping wings lost out to the fixed wing airplanes utilizing wind for lift. For the promising continuous-flow artificial heart, a rigorous process lies ahead.

Here’s a wholehearted wish for your pleasure this Valentine’s Day. Keep the beat, enjoy some healthful dark chocolate and our community’s wonderful cultural possibilities.

--Continuing through Feb. 26, River Falls Town and Country Artists Exhibition at the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center, 200 Monroe St., Prescott.

--Continuing Feb. art show at Seasons on St. Croix, 401 2nd St., Hudson.

--Continuing Feb. art show at Kelley Gallery, 512 2nd St., Hudson.

--Continuing through Feb. 29, Common Roots Exhibition work by artists Vera Ming Wong and Susan Waughtal at Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave., Zumbrota, Minn. 507-732-7616 or www.crossingsatcarnegie.com.

--Continuing Exhibitions in the Main Galleries and the Atrium Gallery at The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust, Hudson.

--Friday, Feb. 9 thru Sunday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., River Falls Community Theatre presents “Becky’s New Car” at the River Falls Public Library, Main and Union. Tickets: adults $10, seniors $8 at the Dish and the Spoon or at the door

--Thursday, Feb. 9 and Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., What We Need is Here Film Series presents “Gasland” (2/9) and “Dirty Business: Clean Coal and the Battle for our Energy Future” (2/23). A knowledgeable facilitator will lead a discussion following each showing. Refreshments served. Free.

--Friday, Feb. 10, 7 to 9 p.m., African Night at UW-RF Falcon’s Nest, University Center includes African cuisine, drumming show, music and gift prizes. More info at grace.adofoli@my.uwrf.edu.

--Friday, Feb. 10 thru Feb. 26, The Phipps Children’s Theatre presents “Alice in Wonderland”. For times, tickets and information about other events call 715-386-8409 or www.ThePhipps.org.

--Friday, Feb.10, opening reception 4 to 8 p.m., Hammond Arts Alliance’s Lost & Found: Alley Exhibitionist Reunion Show featuring 13 regional artists at Gallery 120. Sponsored by Global M.A.D.E. and Interior Concepts, 120 N. Main. Music in conjunction with this show from 8 to 10 p.m., Tin Pan Alley Cats at Johnnie’s Bar.

--Wednesday, Feb. 15, 4:30 to 6 p.m., reception: UW-RF Art Department’s Wearable Art Exhibition and Fashion Show at Gallery 101, Kleinpell Fine Arts Center. Show runs from Feb. 8 thru 23.

--Sunday, Feb. 19, 1 — 3 p.m., Opening Reception of the annual Quilt show at River Falls Public Library.

--The following UW-RF concerts are all at Abbott Concert Hall, KFA and free unless otherwise noted: Sunday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m., Faculty Recital with Giselle Hillyer; Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., RADD Jazz with the Faculty Jazz group and guest trumpeter, Leonard Foy at the University Center Falcon’s Nest;

Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., RADD Jazz with Jazz Ensemble and guest Leonard Foy; Friday, March 2, 10:30 a.m., St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra; Sunday, March 4, 3 p.m., St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra; Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., UW-RF Symphony Band and University Band. Adults $5, seniors $3, students $2.

--Thursday, Feb. 23 thru Saturday, Feb. 25, Tuesday, Feb 28, Wednesday, Feb. 29 and Thursday, March, 1 thru Saturday, March, 3, UW-RF University Theatre presents “Almost Maine” at the Syse Theatre, KFA. For times and tickets 715-425-3114 or www.uwrf.edu/CSTA/UniversityTheatre.

--Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m., UW-RF Wyman Series presents civil rights advocate, litigator, attorney and author Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Book signing following lecture.

--Thursday, March 1, Deadline for artists to enter the juried 2012 Women and Water Rights: Concerning Water show scheduled to open June 15 at The Phipps. FFI 715-386-2305 or www.ThePhipps.org.

--Mark your calendars for the Bluegrass Festival to be held in several spots in RF March 23 thru 25.

--Live music at Earth Angels, Junior’s and other establishments in River Falls.

Tags: lifestyle, events, arts, columns