Artist: Rochelle Spencer
Title of Event: Afro-Surrealism
Date & Time: March 27th, 7-8
Location: Hildreth-Mirza Great Room
Type: Lecture
by Owen Parent
by dpn004
by Casey Wilson
Title of Event: Bill Westenhofer talk
Date & Time: February 22, 2019. 5-6:30pm
Location: ELC Forum
Type: lecture
1) Provide a brief, detailed description or summary of the event you attended.
In this lecture, Bill Westenhofer, who is a Bucknell CSCI alum, talked about his journey from engineering to visual effects supervisor. He discussed what motivated his career decisions, as well as how his engineering background supported him in a visual arts world.
2) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight/response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?
I really enjoyed the talk because he gave a behind-the-scences look into how many movie’s visual effects are created, which I don’t normally think about. He talked about some of the engineering techniques he used to create the visual effects, including physics, fluid dynamics, calculus, and motion capture. I was really interested in his use of motion capture because I have used motion capture systems at Bucknell for research and I always found them fascinating.
3) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?
He displayed various video clips of movies that he has worked on, with dramatic music and sound effects as well. The clips he chose from each movie were emotionally compelling and definitely captivated the entire audience.
4) Overall how would you rate this event? (1-10)
9
5) Justify your rating in the question above.
I didn’t go into the lecture with many expectations, but he kept my attention the entire time. The topics he discussed were intriguing, but I wish he talked a little more about how he created some of the images/videos.
by Casey Wilson
by Aubrey Deon
Title of Event: Language and Other Games by Jonathan Frey
Date and time of event: Thursday March 7 2019. 12pm
Location of Event: Samek downtown gallery
Type of Event: exhibit
1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.)
The gallery includes several interactive white boards with mad-libs. A few large tarps hang from the walls. Each piece represents a type of common game, but with a modern twist.
2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?
These pieces were very thought provoking. All of the games (madlibs, trivial pursuit, Minesweeper, etc.) are well known games. Frey introduces a modern twist in which most pieces relate to current events. I found it interesting that the descriptions of the pieces were about the original game- just introducing the viewer to the normal game instructions and then leaving the modified artwork up to interpretation. My favorite piece was a modification of trivial pursuit titled “I Think Everyone is Going to be Happy in the End.” I was very impressed by the detail put into this piece. It captured many current issues such as global warming, immigration and police brutality.
3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?
I was impressed with the detail and all the thought that went into each piece. Additionally I liked the interactive aspect of the mad libs on white boards.
4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 )
10
5.) Justify your rating in the question above:
I really enjoyed viewing and thinking about these pieces – even if some of the topics presented (such as the Minecraft piece) are frightening to think about as they are real-life problems we are facing/can face in the future.
^ this last one is the trivial pursuit piece that I admired the details of
by Aubrey Deon
Title of Event: Border Cantos/ Sonic Border
Date and time of event: Wednesday March 6, 2019. 12pm
Location of Event: LC Samek
Type of Event: Exhibit
1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.)
This exhibit featured photographs and information about the U.S.- Mexico border and the stories of people immigrating across it. Various common materials were constructed as musical instruments. There were large photographs of the scenery at the border.
2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?
This exhibit was very eye-opening because it is part of the U.S. that most people are far removed from. The sculptures were made from material that seemed to be trash, yet it was reconstructed in a way that could be used as musical instruments. Additionally, many of the photos and sculptures were eerie yet aesthetically pleasing and captivating. The most intriguing aspect of the gallery were “effigies.” I attached a photo below and there was also a photograph of them at the border. The artist describes seeing these haunting figures near Jacumba, California and not knowing whether they were intended as art or as memorials, warnings or protective symbols – but either way, they are captivating and impactful. I found it interesting and saddening that the artists were left to guess the story behind these pieces, as the immigrants are often unable to tell their own story.
3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?
I was impressed by the wall where people can post their own immigration stories. This is an examples where the viewers are participating in the art and the meaningful message of the exhibit. Additionally, it is important that immigrants are able to tell their stories – as was not the case for all of the exhibit’s pieces.
4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 )
nine
5.) Justify your rating in the question above:
This exhibit was very meaningful and there was a lot of textual supplementation to assist in telling the story.