Date: Feb 04, 2011

Hofstra Students Celebrate a Sweet Valentine's Weekend with Campus Confections And A Look at "The Science of Kissing"

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY …  To warm the campus up this freezing spring semester, Hofstra University is presenting an extended Valentine’s Day celebration, beginning Friday, February 11, with a series of chocolate and candy-themed events, a chocolate artwork display and a lecture by the author of The Science of Kissing.

The following events are open and free to members of the Hofstra campus community. For more information call University Relations at (516) 463-6818.

Friday, February 11

2 -4 p.m. “The Taste of Chocolate”
A decadent chocolate tasting for the ultimate chocolate connoisseur, presented by  Hofstra University Honors College.
246 East Library Wing, Axinn Library, South Campus.

4 p.m. “Fridays@4 Chocolate Madness”
Free chocolate giveaways, presented by Entertainment Unlimited.
Student Center Atrium, North Campus.

Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “The Art of Chocolate” – an exhibit and lecture by artist Sid Chidiac
Presented by the Hofstra Cultural Center.
Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall, 10th Floor, Axinn Library, South Campus.

About Sid Chidiac: Born in Australia and raised in Lebonan, artist Sid Chidiac studied at The Julian Ashton Art School, a unique and historic school established in 1890 that remains one of Australia’s finest schools of art. His work initially focused on oil on canvas. His interest in working with chocolate as art started with an idea to paint entirely edible portraits of a diverse group of people in chocolate. His first show of chocolate portraits was titled Flavor of New York and was exhibited at the Sixth Annual Chocolate Show in Manhattan. The exhibit opened in November 2003 and was a huge hit with thousands of attendees and the media. In 2003, Chidiac was sponsored for five years by Berry Callebaut chocolate, one of the largest Belgium chocolate manufacturing companies in the world. Invitations to exhibit around the world began in 2003 and since then his prints are shown across the globe. Chidiac continues to work in both chocolate and oil. He is proud that his chocolate and oil paintings are hanging across the globe and seeks to remain innovative, but also universal with his art.

1-2 p.m. “The Science of Kissing,” a lecture by author and scientist Sheril Kirshenbaum.
Presented by the Office of University Relations and Hofstra University Honors College.
Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall, 10th Floor, Axinn Library, South Campus.

About Sheril Kirshenbaum: Sheril Kirshenbaum is the author of The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us, a wonderfully witty and fascinating exploration of how and why we kiss. When did humans begin to kiss? Why is kissing integral to some cultures and alien to others? Do good kissers make the best lovers? And is that expensive lip-plumping gloss worth it? In the book and at the podium, she tackles these questions and more.

Kirshenbaum is a research scientist with the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy. Kirshenbaum is a graduate of Tufts University and holds two masters of science degrees in marine biology and marine policy from the University of Maine. She co-hosts The Intersection on Discover blogs with Chris Mooney and has contributed to DeSmogBlog, Talking Science, Wired Science and Seed.

3 p.m. “The Chocolate Crest”
Hofstra’s University Crest, painted in chocolate by Sid Chidiac will be unveiled as part of Hofstra’s 75th anniversary celebration.  Presented by the Office of the Provost.
Main Dining Room East, Student Center, North Campus.

6-8 p.m. “Cookie Lovers”
Unleash your inner Cookie Monster.
Presented by Hofstra Dining Services.
Netherlands Café, Netherlands Complex, North Campus (west side of Oak Street).

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