Semester 1

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW

Event Logistics (9/9/2024, Wire Wrap Pendant Jewelry Workshop)

#jewelrymaking #crafting

Me, Robin, and Skylar decided to check out the Wire Wrap Pendant Jewelry Workshop in Stamp at Studio A. I have always been a fan of jewelry: earrings, necklaces, rings fill up half my desk space and I love wearing them to enhance my outfits. However, most of the jewelry I wear is cheap and from random companies on Amazon. This particular activity stood out to me because I was able to make my own jewelry that has a lot more value to me.

I first got to pick out a crystal from a wide selection of them – the decision was hard. They were different sizes and different colors, and each was beautiful in their own way. I chose a smooth, burnt orange crystal with light purple marble on the other side. We were then given instruction on how to wrap the crystal with wire. It was a tedious process, using pliers to wrap the metal certain ways and making sure the crystal was secure and wouldn’t fall out. I went with a spiral design and wrapped my silver metal around the rock almost like a spring.

When I think about the art I’ve done in the past, most of it just has to do with painting or drawing. I am not used to hands-on activities like this, but I am really satisfied with the result. I’ve seen wire wrap jewelry like this in some farmers markets I’ve been too, and participating in this activity has made me truly appreciate the time and effort that goes into the jewelry I’ve seen. Mine looks nowhere as clean as the others I’ve seen, but I think it was a really cool experience for me to try out!

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics 10/2/24 Pressed Flowers Craft & Chat with TA Sophia

#visualart

Last Wednesday, I decorated a jar with pressed flowers. When decorating the jar, I noticed that I could connect this process to the improv that we had practiced in the previous class. Learning improv taught me many new things that I could apply to the real world and not just solely when performing improv. For example, I applied the strategy of “Yes, and”, embracing mistakes, and making room for play when I was decorating my jar. Originally, I wanted to make a jar with a neat pattern of flowers around it. However, this changed when I realized that I wouldn’t have enough flowers of the same color or kind to make a neat pattern. Instead of this discouraging my jar-making, I was able to “make room for play” and decided to free style my jar instead. I glued a fern that wraps around majority of the jar and surrounded it with pink and yellow flowers. I also put too much modge podge on some areas, but I would cover this up by putting more flowers over it, even if I hadn’t originally planned for a flower to go there. By doing this, I applied the practice of embracing my mistakes. Connecting the jar to our identity that we learned 2 classes ago, I think that it is neat that everyone who is there gets to fill the jar with things that are unique to them. Although we all decorated the same kind of jar, everyone decorated it in their own style and will have their own use for it. For example, I am using the jar to store my rings but other people could have other uses for it.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Event Logistics 10/25/24 Magic with Mehndi Craft and Chat

#visualart

Last Thursday, I decorated a mini tote bag with Mehndi art. Mehndi art consists of intricate floral and Mandela designs and is typically used to paint the body associated with positive spirits and good luck. When practicing this art, it reminded me of one of the wicked questions that was posed to us last colloquium: How do social forces such as politics, economics, religion, gender, race, or culture play a role in the creation of a work of art? It made me think about the significant role that cultures play in the creation of a work of art. This is because Mehndi art is culturally significant to South Asia and Southern Africa. India is especially credited in popularizing this type of art as a bridal art form. They have a tradition where they create complex Mehndi patterns on the bride on their wedding night as wishes for luck. Mehndi art is also used in Morrocco Jewish weddings to symbolize good health, fertility, and wisdom. Although this tradition isn’t as popular here in America, I find it interesting how we’re still able to incorporate Mehndi art in our own art styles, such as by decorating a tote bag with Mehndi art patterns. This shows how different cultures can adapt their unique styles of varying art forms.

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