Recently i performed in a presentation of the emails sent around campus about the public outcry to Arnold Hall's demolition. It was a form of Guerrilla Theatre where the turnaround from idea to performance is minimal. I have to admit that it surpassed my wildest expectations. I saw an outcome that Rich Gary predicted, but I had no faith in, and the mirth that rippled through the crowd every few lines surprised me too. Basically, it opened my eyes to a new way of performing current events for the campus, and showed me that Hartwick students can really get passionate about things.
The piece itself, as an organic thing, was impressive to watch come together (from an insider's point of view). We met twice and got very little direction before we brought it for the public. Basically, this entire show rested on our shoulders. Rich Gary let us know that, and so it was something that had to build up during the showm and off of one another. That sort of pressure was new, and I think we came together with it well. I think it's worth noting that the show was stil new to me when it went up, so I got to enjoy it almost as much as any member of the audience. Being a part of that buzz of "what's going to happen next?" just helped the culmination of the activity even more. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Art Attendance Round One: Senior Thesees
So I used to work in the Foreman gallery down in Anderson, so I was privy to all the exhibits that came to town. I have to say, though, that the most interesting exhibits were the senior projects. The first round was in the Gallery for a long time so I spent a long time staring at it. What stood out to me more than anything else were the individual messages provided by the artists. Despite the serious vision and time that obviously went into the amazing pieces around the gallery, it didn't seem like much effort was put into the exposition and explanation accompanying their works. I was most impressed by Chris Hausser, however, who created something he titled Stactel: a giant wooden creation of amorphous lumps hewn with a chainsaw and secured with Elmer's glue. His message was short and to the point. He laid out what his work meant to him and how he made it, and that was that. Some of the other artists, though, forged long, tedious, and rushed memos about their work.
Whenever I read these types of works, I construct the scene in my head of this person reading their explanation to me through their tone of voice. Basically, a poorly written exposition is one where the camera recording their scene is focused on the top of the person's head and has focusing problems (the camera keeps trying to focus the right amount on the scene- I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about). The point is that it just seems poorly done. But when someone does it well, I see the person is in full view and even in an interesting shot. Of all the things to notice, I know that this is something weird to notice and comment on, but I feel that if a statement accompanies a product of a semester of work (or more) that it should flow as smoothly as the art piece itself.
Whenever I read these types of works, I construct the scene in my head of this person reading their explanation to me through their tone of voice. Basically, a poorly written exposition is one where the camera recording their scene is focused on the top of the person's head and has focusing problems (the camera keeps trying to focus the right amount on the scene- I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about). The point is that it just seems poorly done. But when someone does it well, I see the person is in full view and even in an interesting shot. Of all the things to notice, I know that this is something weird to notice and comment on, but I feel that if a statement accompanies a product of a semester of work (or more) that it should flow as smoothly as the art piece itself.
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