Approximately 10 studio art majors designed the exhibits eye-catching large black *f posters with various statements about artists. In this exhibition, not only the subject matter was diverse; artists media ranged from oil pastels, video, ceramic, crayon, clothing, cherry wood, an ironing board, paint, sail material, tangerines, 50 percent linen blend and possibly, but not yet verified whiskey.
Andrea Drapchos radiant slices of sky brought vitality to the white walls of Dittman, causing viewers to consider natures beauty and the manner in which an artist transfers that beauty on paper. Sarah Andyshaks enchanting ink wash and colored pencil drawings captured the eye and engaged the mind. Andyshaks vibrant book, House Goes Out, was based on the Russian folk tales of Baba Yaga, an old witch whose house has chicken legs and can move around on its own. Andyshacks book amusingly contemplated what the house might do while Baba Yaga is away.
As art tends to push boundaries, it comes as no surprise that several pieces fell into the controversial category, including Casey Landaus crowded rainbow investigation on the possible overlap in Americas view of the words lesbian and family, based on an Internet Google image search.
Pete Nelsons gender-bending Nine Monologues could be multi-categorized as controversial, humorous, thought provoking and mind-boggling. Through video, Nelson voiced nine different monologues, originally recorded by women, through his own lips. The result was stunning Nelsons facial movements and expressions matched the monologues exactly, spanning the thoughts of a young girl to those of an old woman.
I think you can take this piece many different ways, Nelson said. At first its humorous; then listen to what the words are saying. Its not as much what I say as what other people get out of it.
Indeed, many viewers first reactions were amused or embarrassed, but become contemplative as they listened to the monologues coming forth from Nelsons lips.
Jane Beckers piece, a large patch of grass reminiscent of farming plots of land and planted in the pattern of her footprint, is particularly creative.
Janes grass piece is really amazing, art major Aaron Reiners 04 said. Its so unusual, with bizarre symmetry of the foot, showing the connection between humankind and nature.