The Gallery

How do we get people on campus to get more involved in the Gallery? Even though it isn't in the main building students still are over there pretty often, for the library or in the new cafe so proximity isn't the problem. Do any of the other majors on campus take advantage of the space? We have lots of engineering and a variety of sciences that could demonstrate some of their work. Or if as part of class we could learn how to curate a show using our own work. I'm just thinking out-loud here (in a manner of speaking), I just know that students are not always the most likely to show initiative without a little nudge. 

Gallery Field Trip

I'm kind of curious about what everyone thought about going to the gallery last week. I really enjoyed being able to see everyone as we talked but I prefer the round table approach to class discussions. Is that something we will do again? I hope so.

Trippy

Oh Saturday Night Live last week Rihanna preformed her new single Diamond. Instead of the usual SNL stage though she sang in front of a green screen with a hodgepodge of images projected that created this very unusual effect. The response seems largely positive, my favorite tweet was "I wonder what stoned viewers are thinking right now". Worth the time to watch.http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/rihanna-diamonds/1423637/

Slit Scan Photography

My husband saw this the other day and thought I may like to blog about it (all of my best blog finds seem to come from him). I know people have a hard time sometimes considering photography art but viewing these I truly do not see how they could. These beautiful and sometimes disturbing photographs are pure genius in my eyes (for whatever that is worth). This is a brief selection of some of my favorites. I unfortunately did not have time to research each of these practitioners individually but I still wanted to include these works on my blog. These all come from google images so they are easy to find more information on.

Well, he did create the platypus ...

Ever walk into a museum or gallery and immediately what to leave for fear of desecrating some "holy of holies" you never knew existed? I have plenty of times. This also applies to church, and I love the story of St. Philip Neri. A pope who shaved off half his beard to make fun of himself as he walked to a ceremony meaning to honor him, wearing a cushion on his head as he walked down the street another time. These acts of performance art, or as St. Phillip Neri called them "public acts of silliness" are only a hint at how this man earned the nickname "The Humorous Saint". If whoever is reading this has the time you should really click on the link below. The author tells stories like this about several saints and even a few popes that are hilarious.
I guess in thinking about "high-brow" versus "low-brow" work I make some strange connection between the stories told in the article and the world of art. I am serious about art galleries. They are intimidating or flat out scary at times. When it is intentional it is one thing, but when it comes from a feeling of unworthiness it is another. People seem to assign sacredness to things that is really unnecessary, I think Philip Neri would agree. Reverence for the sake of reverence, be it religious or otherwise, only seems to hinder the experience rather than enlightening it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-james-martin-sj/the-saints-were-yes-funny_b_2057837.html