Category: Visual Arts

PREVIEW: GUTS

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GUTS Senior IP Show

Every year, the senior cohort of the Penny Stamps School of Art & Design works on a year long project called “IP” (Integrative Project).  At the end of a 10 month journey, the students gather in clusters to present their work. Either in galleries on campus or off, groups of artists host an opening event followed by a two week period where the art is on display. This particular exhibit, GUTS, presents the independent work of Liz Luidens, Justin Hein, Taylor Bultema, Alex Kaufman, and Ronan Lyman.  Using the mediums of print, drawing, and illustration, the works are both varied and dynamic but also cohesive. About arriving at the title “Guts,” artist Alex Kaufman said:

“We all got together once we had our venue set so we could start brainstorming.  we each pinned up a couple pieces to get a feel for what all of our work looks like together, and started throwing out ideas. Our concepts are really self-reflective, and a lot about our internal thoughts, feelings and personal experience.  So, in a way our work is our guts on paper.  And its a vague reference to our aesthetic, which is fairly direct and in-your-face.  So yeah, once we put all that together it made perfect sense, and that is the story of how Guts happened.”

The opening reception will be held on Saturday April 20th from 7-10 pm with a closing reception on May 5 at 6 pm. The off-site exhibit is in The Yellow Barn on 416 W. Huron with regular hours Tuesday-Saturday 5-9 pm. For an inside look, check out Alex Kaufman’s blog. See you there!

REVIEW: GROOVE

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GROOVE

On Friday night, the student group Groove put on an energetic, fast paced performance in the Michigan Theater. The bi-annual event has a different theme each year and this season the subtitle was “Innocent Until Groovin’ Guilty.” The evening opened with a spoof film of a criminal case in which Groove members were prosecuted for making too much noise. The convicts were detained in a cell and when they were finally freed, they sprang forth from the silver screen onto the stage and began drumming with spirit. Using non-traditional instruments, such as garbage cans, bicycles, ladders, umbrellas, newspaper, and more, the show turned regular objects on their heads and made them entertaining in a whole new way. The performers also demonstrated their talent with traditional instruments, like guitar, drum set, electric violin, and keyboard. Each scene told a story using a variety of wild costumes and lots of bold singing and acting. One of the funniest sketches was a rap battle between two sections of a middle school band in which the lyrics spoofed off of popular rap songs but using lyrics associated with pre-pubescence and the terrible awkwardness of middle school. Another memorable sketch was a play on the James Bond theme, where some Groove members were taken hostage while others came to the rescue, all the while hammering away a beat.

The audience was totally packed and seemed to love every second of the show. It takes a lot for a student group to pack a full house at the Michigan Theater!  Some fans were also there to support to opening acts, EnCore and Rhythm student dance groups, as well as interluding musicians James Cornelison and Julian Allen.  The exciting evening concluded with a sentimental- albeit comedic- farewell to the senior Groovers as well as an audience shout out from a large sum of Groove alumni who had returned to Ann Arbor for the special event. It was a totally energetic evening, full of comedy, musical talent, and pure entertainment.


PREVIEW: Who is Luther Burbank?

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Who is Luther Burbank?

WHO IS LUTHER BURBANK?– a new piece in eighteen parts. Three students from a variety of arts related disciplines have teamed up to create an original work of experimental theater. Willie Filkowski, an Interarts Performance major, Corey Smith, a composition major, and Nola Smith, a dancer major, have designed an extracurricular, innovative performance involving a variety of curious media: “dancing, text, video, original music, potatoes, prizes, costume changes, a LOT of dirt.” Inspired by a 1914 found text, Our Wonder World Vol. X: The Quiz Book, the collaborative event will entertain and puzzle, but ultimately answer the questions “Who is Luther Burbank?”

Presented with support from Basement Arts and Arts at Michigan, “WILB?” will run Thursday April 18-Saturday April 20. Performances are FREE and begin at 7 pm each night, with an additional late show at 11 pm on Friday the 19th. The show will be held in the Walgreen Drama Center on North Campus. See you there!

REVIEW: Covered: Gifts of Art

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COVERED: A COLLECTION OF ARTIST’S BOOKS

This semester, I am taking  Barbara Brown’s Book Arts class through the School of A&D. Over the course of four months, my class and I have bound several styles of books in various media: wood, leather, paper, metal, thread, digital design, collage, photography, illustration, text, printmaking, and more. Some books tell literal stories while others show illustration. Some books have blank pages while others have full spreads of design. These artist books are so much more than simply spaces for narration or illustration, however. They are gorgeous, laborious, contemporary artifacts that pay homage to  that ancient and dying art of bookbinding.

With a range of skill sets in the course- from artists, to engineers, to architects, to writers- these books have grown into a beautiful collection of work. From now until June 10th, a selection of these artist books will be on display at the Taubman Health Center’s Gifts of Art show. In the lobby of the main entrance to the hospital is a gallery that features a rotating collection of local artwork. Be sure to stop in and look around at the student work. The variety and talent on display is worth the visit! To learn more about artist books, check out Barbara Brown’s website. The gallery is open from 8 am to 8 pm. See you there!


PREVIEW: UMMA’s 24-Hour Art21 Screening

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UMMA’s 24-Hour Art21 Screening

If you find yourself at the UGLI this Staurday night, studying into the wee hours of the morn and, nearing dawn you need a study break, never fear! Entertainment is on the way. UMMA and the UGLI are teaming up to present a 24-hour marathon screening of Art21. PBS’s series features one hour pieces on famous twentieth century contemporary artists. The episodes to be aired this weekend will include celebrated  names such as Kara Walker, Ai Weiwei, El Anatsui, Cindy Sherman, Matthew Barney, Barry McGee, Laurie Anderson, Marina Abramović, Jeff Koons, John Baldessari, and many more (ninety, to be exact, because this event honors 100 working artists). The series invites viewers into the studios, homes, galleries, and creative spaces of these pioneering stylists. This behind-the-scenes look is inspiring to artist types and others alike.  So whether you intend to be at the library this weekend or not, you will certainly have something enjoyable to do!

For more information on Art21, click here. The Facebook event and the UMMA’s student blog The Annex will also tell you everything you need to know about the screening. See you there!

PREVIEW: UMMA’s Student Late Night

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UMMA’s Student Late Night

On Thursday April 4th from 8-11 pm, the UMMA will host the annual Student Late Night. Since September, the UMMA Student Programming Advisory Council (SPAC) has been planning for this multi-media evening. The venue will be jam packed with activities, performances, and prizes.  WCBN Radio will be DJ-ing all night; live music  includes Music School senior Peter Felsman and friends who will accompany a performance by Cadance Dance Company.  The Ann Arbor Art Center will host an art-making activity. The SPAC has arranged a scavenger hunt throughout the museum, featuring pieces from the permanent collection. But there will also be ample opportunity to explore the visiting exhibits by El Anatsui, Florencia Pita F/P Mod, and Francis Alÿs. There will also be  a photo booth for you and your friends as well as free snacks and refreshments. The evening is partially  sponsored by Arts at Michigan and a number of local businesses and restaurants whose goods are up for prizes. Come get your UMMA gear, including buttons featuring images from the permanent collection, and so much more.

Bring your friends! In the meantime, check out the SPAC’s blog The Annex. See you there!