arts, ink. – Page 325 – Featuring weekly columns from University of Michigan student writers about arts and culture.

“what is art?” Post #9 – Helicon Student Art Exhibition

November 24, 2019November 25, 2019 druzzi Leave a comment

Last night at 101 W. Liberty St. the one-night student art exhibition, Spilt Milk, was showcased by the student art org. Helicon. Supported by the Art History department at the U of M, Helicon thrives by connecting people with art-related events and social platforms. Helicon hosts two student art exhibitions and prints two publications during the school year.

This past semester I joined Helicon because my friend who is an art history major encouraged me to. When I joined I understood what the club’s message was and what they do during the year, however, I didn’t realize how many opportunities there would be for me to help and contribute towards. I grew from being a new member in September to being actively involved with the club now. I helped with the publication release in October and these past couple of weeks I have provided efforts for the exhibition and displayed four of my own pieces in the show.

Being apart of Helicon has taught me logistical skills like how to get people to submit work for the publication and/or exhibition and how to put together an art show. However, Helicon’s most rewarding benefit is the community it invites you into. Helicon somehow has built a community of students from all different majors and an interest in art. They all want to share the beauty in the variety of what art can be and create outreach for students to come and learn about it. The club enables like-minded people to come together and share their love for their arts as well as growing their community.

Yesterday night’s show was a success and perfect example of how Helicon draws in a crowd with its diverse artwork. Held in a loft, the exhibition included small prints to large installation pieces about the agriculture food industry. Helicon included two projected pieces and had a dj and musician. People were able to walk through two different rooms and dance in the main room while observing the artwork. The lively energy filled the room with excitement. The exhibition also included zines that the audience could take with them on their way out.

Although Helicon just had our show that does not mean we are at rest. We are constantly figuring out ways to further connect students on campus and thinking of ideas for our next publication and exhibition. Look out for us on Facebook and Instagram in the upcoming months to see how you can join the community and/or contribute as well as for pictures of last night’s show.

P.S. We meet every Monday at 8pm in Tappan Hall so come and join!

Ready for the World: A Part of Good Change

November 23, 2019November 23, 2019 Emily Considine Leave a comment

This week, I talked with Sarah Cripsey, a sophomore in SMTD’s Bachelor of Theatre Arts program. She can be found on Instagram @sarahemilycripsey and stars as Lucy in “Vamps,” a new musical from NERDS that will be performing in Lorch Hall 140 on December 6th at 7pm and December 7th at 2pm and 7pm.

Marge Makes Comics #18: Not Quite a Comic But Definitely a Plug for Helicon

November 23, 2019November 23, 2019 MargeMakesComics 2 Comments

This is more of an illustration than a comic, but! Ya know!!! Sometimes you’re cowboy. And sometimes you center your IP (integrative project see here) around cowboys until you become cowboy.

On another note! If you want to see some more cowboy/girl/bug drawings of mine, please come to the Helicon student exhibition “Spilt Milk”! The Helicon student shows are always a super fun way to get involved with the art scene on campus, I’ve been submitting work to their student shows for three years now and it’s always a blast. Come on down to 101 West Liberty st. from 8-11 pm tonight to check out this show!

My First Semester in Women’s Glee Club

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 Elizabeth S 1 Comment

This past Sunday on November 17th, The University of Michigan Women’s Glee Club (WGC) presented “Be the Light Home,” a fall concert surrounding themes of compassion and circling back home. The community-driven concert was a great finish to my first semester in Women’s Glee Club. As such, I thought this week’s post would be a great opportunity to reflect on my experiences in the group so far.

Auditioning for the ensemble was initially nerve-wracking, but I am so, so glad I did. Since I was a child I have enjoyed singing, whether on my own or in church choirs. Throughout middle and high school I sang in my school’s choirs, my favorite being my high school’s smaller, auditioned choir. Before this year, however, I had never sang in an all-girls choir. While I had been a Soprano 2 for certain songs before, I had always been in an SATB choir comprised of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass vocal parts. Transitioning to SSAA—which has two distinct soprano sections and two distinct alto sections—was different but fun.

Founded in 1893, the Women’s Glee Club has a long, rich history, one that has impacted countless members of the university community. With hundreds of alumnae and around 80 current members, I’m ecstatic to have joined the ranks of such talented women. Women’s Glee Club features students with a variety of majors and interests, from voice performance to molecular biology. One of the great things about Women’s Glee Club is that it allows students to continue to sing in college while studying as a non-music major. Students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to sing in a collegiate choir through WGC, something I’ve enjoyed since being a member of RC Singers last year.

Women’s Glee Club is also a wonderful place to meet new people. I’ll admit, when I first heard the motto “Sisterhood, Song, and Strength,” I was a little skeptical. I was baffled by the concept of “Bigs/Littles” and “points.” Getting a sorority-esque vibe, I was perplexed by how a choir, especially one structured for academic credit, could achieve the same level of networking and bonding as a sorority or other organizations; however, I understood quickly WGC has so many events and aspects outside of the typical rehearsal. I’ve particularly enjoyed “Blues,” where WGC members go from tailgate to tailgate on game days and sing school spirit songs (Yellow and Blue, The Victors, etc.).

Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time in Women’s Glee Club so far and look forward to next semester!

Link to the official website for The University of Michigan Women’s Glee Club

Image design by Anna Sharp Chewter

Trans Awareness Week: Informed Consent (comic)

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 Amy Fieldmouse 1 Comment

It’s just been Transgender Week of Awareness, so here’s a comic about something very important to me. My partner Cam is working on helping UHS switch to an informed consent model, and this will give you some information about what that means. Here’s the poster for the upcoming town hall meeting:

If this is something you also think is important, come to the meeting and show your support! If you can’t but you’re interested in this issue, I recommend reading up on informed consent and transgender healthcare, and spreading some awareness to help celebrate this week.

Thanks for reading!

The Fascinating Work of Jennifer Daniel (Google’s Emoji Boss)

November 22, 2019November 25, 2019 vle Leave a comment

Jennifer Daniel, Google’s Expression design team Design Manager, oversees gifs, emoji stickers, and camera filters. She is also an illusrator, author, and mother. Before her position at Google in California, Daniel worked for numerous years at the media giants the New York Times and Bloomberg Businessweek. I had the chance to see her speak at the Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series last year, and she impressed the crowd with her wit and humor. Above all, Daniel’s vibrant, engaging work invites viewers to indulge in the fun parts of everyday life. She is a designer of true honesty and immense talent.

One of her works I find most alluring is Space: A Children’s Text Book published in 2015. The neon volume boasts pages of clean, beautiful graphics of planets and our solar system, and a plethora of facts about space. Although described as a “simple, attractive book of infographics,” let’s be real here, this book is for adults. I could spend hours poring over its colorful, info-packed pages, and will be sure to purchase a copy for my coffee table.

Image result for jennifer daniel space

Some of Daniel’s portfolio includes editorial illustrations, infographics, and animations. I am personally drawn to designers with bold, simple lines, and colorful graphics and Daniel certainly fits the bill. Drawing from both retro and modern inspirations, her illustrations are so aesthetically-pleasing to look at. Be sure to check her out!