Recommendation from Joan Freedman, Director of the Johns Hopkins Digital Media Center

In my capacity as the Director of the Johns Hopkins Digital Media Center, I have had the chance to work with Kira Hammond for the past 3 years. I hired Kira to work as a Video Specialist, a job that requires a degree of technical knowledge of computers and video equipment, the ability to teach video related courses, and a responsible nature as the Video Specialist is in charge of running the video portion of the Digital Media Center. As an employee Kira has met all of these requirements. The qualities that make Kira stand out include her solid work ethic, her dedication to the spirit of the job, her dependability, and an amazing ability to learn new skills quickly. Kira has helped guide students in the development of academic and non-academic projects. She has been involved in the creation of the Johns Hopkins University Development Office Video, video projects for the Woodrow Wilson Fellows Foundation, created public relations videos for the Digital Media Center, and a video gallery for the Center's website, completed chromakey work on the JHU Alumnae video and so much more. On the art side of things she spearheaded Landscapes a live i2 event between University of Maryland Baltimore County and JHU, acting as the technical and creative director for the JHU team. She taught students, faculty and staff how to use the specialized equipment and guided the project from the planning stages to fruition. Every year Kira assists students in the Intermedia class, helping to turn their artistic visions into reality. I believe all of these projects benefited from Kira’s guidance and expertise. On an interpersonal level I have found Kira to be helpful to both students and fellow staff members as she makes a concerted effort to help out with any task or problem that arises. Kira is a wealth of information and a fantastic troubleshooter, I am always amazed by how well she can think on her feet. She works well on a one on one level and also excels at teaching large classes. I often receive comments from students praising Kira's performance as the Video Specialist at the center. As a staff person Kira is always willing to help out a co-worker, she has worked hard to make sure all of the staff people feel comfortable calling on her when they need a helping hand. Outside of work Kira is involved in a number of art projects. She has worked with the well respected local theatre house The Theatre Project working as a visual designer for Female Parts. Kira has organized several group and solo shows featuring her interactive artwork. Her photographs, graphic design, web design, interactive artwork, music, and video projects have been featured around the Baltimore D.C. area for years. The fact that Kira can excel in and outside of her work environment proves her ability to multitask and budget time. I believe all of the experiences I have outlined in this letter show that Kira Hammond would make an excellent addition to any organization.

Comments on Kira's professional work

Chris Gilbert Curator of Contemporary Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art . Kira videotaped a visiting artist for the Baltimore Museum of Art.

"I like the tape a lot and realized how professional your camera work was."

New Media Centers. The Johns Hopkins Digital Media Center was named a 2004 Center of Excellence. Kira created a thank you video that resembled an early style 8-bit graphics video game called Reach for Excellence.

"Everyone LOVED the Reach for Excellence game and laughed at the characters and their progress through the game."

Comments on Kira's artwork

Randall Packer, Multi-Media Artist and Higher Education Professor

I absolutely love the Unsecret Society. I hope you continue to develop the work. Referring back to your project proposal helps me to better understand the political nature of the project. You are right, government often operates on secrecy and those who ascend to the highest levels are often part of "good old boys" clubs that are exclusive, secret, and intimidating to anyone on the outside. By deconstructing the techniques of the secret society, the symbology, the modes of communication, etc., you shed new light on our understanding of this strange behavioral trait among the ruling class. It seems artists, in their attempt to expose, operate under opposite conditions, though they sometimes use similar tactics. I think of Matthew Barney's Cremaster series which seems now very similar to your project. His use of iconography and strange, mystical callings are rendered absurd under the critical, satirical eye of the artist.
From a technical perspective, your project made excellent use of tactical media, incorporating performance, video, graphics, etc. My only critique would be in your presentation to further clarify the political aspirations of the project, which are quite profound, but sometimes get lost in satirical projects (I can testify to this!) when not given enough weight in the contextualization. Excellent work!

Dr. Geoffrey Wright, CEO of Neurosonics and professor of Computer Music at Peabody Conservatory and Goucher College

I am delighted to recommend Kira Hammond for honors for her interdisciplinary study "Disparate Elements," an exhibit including digital music, photography, video and costume design. Not only is Kira talented in all those areas, she is also collegial and generous: she sought-out and involved 9 other artists in the project as well. As curator, she presented their work beautifully, and I overheard contributors remarking on how pleased they were to have been included in the project. Kira is a rare and remarkable artist. She is able to understand and appreciate both traditional and digital arts, and combine them meaningfully. She uses technology easily and expressively; it has become media native to her thought process. And her materials are ideal for her subject matter, which includes a wry and clever way of looking at a variety of current social issues. I'm also impressed by the scope of "Disparate Elements." Many disciplines and departments were represented and well integrated. The logistical issues were ably handled by Kira. She raised funding for the project, advertised and archived the exhibit, and organized a web site and delegated tasks for its completion. She even found time to participate in the Computer Music Concert as part of her exhibit. Her contribution was a major addition to the concert. The primary reason I teach at Goucher even though my primary appointment is at Peabody/Johns Hopkins is because of intelligent, sensitive, productive, and fascinating students like Kira. In my 25 years at the university, and 20 years at Goucher I have never seen a student exceed her in those attributes.

Student comments on Kira's teaching abilities at Johns Hopkins University

Chris Bowers, JHU student

"I doubt this is breaking news, but I wanted to say that Kira is an excellent asset to your department. I recently sent her some technical questions about my project and her responses were very thorough and helpful."

Emily Mayer, JHU Alumnae class of 2004

"There aren't enough cards in the world to thank you for how much you've helped me over the past few years. Your brillance at all things technical and patience with me are admirable. Its been such a pleasure knowing you and I just wanted to let you know the degree to which I appreciate how many times you've saved my life/grade/project."