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Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure
Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure
Event Logistics 2/2/25, The Clarice, UMD Gamer Symphony Orchestra
#music #animation #composition
The UMD Gamer Symphony Orchestra was a great performance, and it highlighted the complexity of music in video games - something that many people overlook, or fail to notice. It featured a variety of arrangements made from popular game soundtracks recognizable to those in the audience. These arrangements were all written and performed by students in the orchestra, and demonstrated incredible talent by the orchestra performers.
I was particularly excited for this event, having looked at the program and seen a piece from one of my favorite games on their set list. This composition, made up of different songs in the Legend of Zelda franchise, was everything I hoped it would be - it included incredible choral elements and blended three iconic themes into one cohesive piece. I had long appreciated the composition of songs from the Zelda series, but this concert gave me an even bigger respect for them, seeing the collective work of everyone in the orchestra, especially the students that prepared the arrangement that they played.
The orchestra also prefaced each piece with an explanation of the game it came from, crediting the original composers while paying appropriate homage to the games these songs were made for. It was great to see the audience respect and turnout for the event as well - it was clear that everyone was excited to watch, which pleasantly surprised me - I wasn't sure what the turnout would be, because the performance seemed like an interesting niche. The GSO even finished the concert out with a surprise piece that pleased everyone in the audience - an arrangement from Halo, and received a standing ovation as a result - making it clear that entire audience was incredibly passionate about the performance.
As a whole, I'm incredibly grateful I attended the concert, and plan to go to more of their concerts in the future. This TRYathalon helped me find an event I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm excited to go to more GSO events in future semesters.
Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure
Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure
Event Logistics 3/725, Arts Scholars Craft & Chat, the Art of Block Printing
#visualart #culture #traditionalart
The Art of Block Printing craft and chat was a great way to learn about traditional art outside of my own culture, and branch out to art forms I hadn't tried before. TA Nivi did a great job explaining the detailed history and depth of traditional Indian block printing design, and it was interesting to see how it's integrated with modern art - especially with its influence on fashion in the current age, with modern textiles often taking inspiration from early block printing design.
I think it's extremely important to learn about art history, especially with its influence on life today. I've learned of its importance within this craft and chat, and my arts scholars workshop this semester, the Joy of Jewels. TA Brooke has also held lessons on different cultures history around jewelry making, as learning about history allows us to take inspiration and aid in our design process today. This cements what I learned in the Art of Block printing, and proves that exposure to history, especially that of other cultures, introduces us to different forms of art and allows us to formulate a complex breadth of knowledge that will help in generating new ideas for our own artwork.
Overall, block printing was a fun craft, but it was also an experience that broadened my horizons and allowed me to learn about something I ordinarily would not have been exposed to.
Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event
Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event
Event Logistics 3/28/25, Arts Scholars Craft & Chat, Beads & Bliss with Clay Jewelry
#visualart #craft
The Beads and Bliss craft & chat, though it didn't go as planned, was a valuable experience that broadened my arts perspective. In particular, it helped me think outside the box and exercise important problem-solving skills. Due to technical difficulties, the craft & chat had to be switched to a free crafting session in the lounge - and it was interesting to see everyone's creative process when working in an unrestricted environment.
A few friends and I went into the activity looking for something that'd be fun for all of us - and we settled on dot painting! We found a bin of colorful dot markers in the arts closet, and had a great time experimenting with the medium's colors and spontaneity. The activity was also a great lesson in flexibility, as it was an opportunity to change up our craft and still have fun. This is a valuable skill anywhere- whether in art, class, or just in life, it's important to be able to adapt, get the most out of any situation.
As a whole, despite unfortunate circumstances, during the Beads and Bliss craft & chat I was still able to make a fun craft with friends, and learn a great lesson along the way.
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