Semester 1

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW

Event Logistics:  (9/27/2023, Craft and Chat, Friendship Bracelets)

#visualart #craft&chat

During the 'Craft and Chat' i got to learn and experience something new and unknown to me. Learning the art of crafting with thread and knot, it was a type of art I wouldn't have normally been comfortable with. 

While it may seem small, learning this new skill is big to me. You can see from the image of me with my creation. I'm clearly not the best with making threaded bracelets/keychains. Furthermore, this opportunity of being in the 'CPS' allows me to try out new events and forces my mind to expand and learn more about art, (in ways i never thought I would.) The craft and chat taught me that art can vary from large sculptures to small threaded objects. Art needs to be built on with feeling and intent. My creation can appear grotesque, but it was built with joy, curiosity, and struggle (to understand how to do it). 

When analyzing my creation, you can notice the messy and colorful lines. Unlike many of the others participating in the activity, my keychain appeared more rough and undefined. I believe this gave it a raw and interesting design (versus the fine and neat way.) 

Fortunately, art is very subjective and so what is 'good' versus what is 'bad' can differ person to person. Through arts scholars I learned how important it is to look at art with an open mind.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics: (10/16/2023, Movie, The Forrest Gump

#theatre  #Gump  #Runforrestrun  #jenny  #bubba

Looking at The Forrest Gump as a work of art, you can really appreciate the cinematography and work done behind the scenes. The directors were able to implement their fictional character into real historic events. This gives the movie a surreal realism, it allowed me to really feel the story, (and almost tricked me into thinking that he was actually at those events.) When I apply what I've learned from my studio art classes, I can see that artists behind the scenes were able to edit real recordings of historic events and put Forrest in them. Without a good eye you couldn't've catch it, and if the movie was released nowadays these moments could've been even better. 

I really love the friendship between Forrest and Bubba, then the complicated relationship between Forrest and Jenny. Despite the struggles Forrest went through in his life, Forrest managed to always be the best at what he did. Be it a football player, a marine, a tennis player, an entrepreneur, a runner, or even a shrimp fisher. Forrest can be seen as a symbol of inspiration and aspiration. It reminds us that through struggle we can still come out on top.

Forrest Gump was an amazing film; I can now see why they call it a classic film. From the cinematography to the acting, and the emotional background.