REVIEW: MOCHAS + MURALS: WALKING MURAL TOUR

Sabrina Kliza Leave a comment

As an artist who is afraid of heights, the idea of painting a mural has always given me a shiver. I could not imagine being on a lift, hovering a paint brush or spray can over the side of a building. This has always been something I’ve been ashamed of because murals are a work of art for the people and they have a great benefit to the community. It could not be more true than in the Ann Arbor community. With the Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) pushing to add more murals, there is more art than ever in the city. 

This past Friday, I wandered to the A2AC on Liberty Street. A chatting group, iced coffee, and cookies that felt all too early in the morning  to eat for a college student like me (even at noon) awaited. We all gathered here for a tour of the city’s 15 murals put in place with the help of A2AC. 

Most of the murals appeared in the time that I lived in Ann Arbor. However, because of covid constantly moving me away from Ann Arbor and living in a dorm without a centralized location to downtown my freshman year, I wasn’t able to admire the way that these murals were really transformed the city. I think a page in the Murals activity book describes this change the best. It shows the before and after shots of the bland buildings and the shots of them after they have been painted. I feel like the image speaks for itself on the effect that the murals have had. 

On the walk, we stopped to admire many murals. Some were grand and impossible to miss. Others were fun and almost Easter egg-like, like the orange man on top of the A2AC. I discovered my favorite mural in the alley way of the Blind Pig. Painted by Chris, it depicts red dokkaebi which are inspired by Korean folklore. Their mischievous spirit pairs well with the late night crowds that gather in the alleyway. Sometimes it seems that the young adults and dokkaebi share the same energy and spirit. 

Overall, I would highly recommend checking out the city’s murals so you can pick out a favorite of your own. While you may not be able to have a guided tour like I did, the A2AC offers an online mural guide and activity book so you can go on a self guided tour.

REVIEW: Tales of the Maya Skies

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Do you like seeing planetarium shows?

Have you ever wondered what exciting things can happen in a dome theatre?

Have you ever wanted to go see a mind-blowing, 180-degree ancient cosmo show that makes you ascend to a new plane for 45 minutes?

Then you just HAVE to go see the Tales of the Maya Skies exhibit in Planetarium & Dome Theater at the Museum of Natural History. It will be happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the months of September and October 2022 (according to the latest schedule) so you have zero excuses to miss out on this phenomenal, mind-bending exhibit. A feast for the eyes.

This show was the perfect intermingling of ancient history, astronomy, myth, math, and all things exciting. Did I mention the part where they take you through how the Mayans predicted solstices and solar eclipses? There was something for everyone there. 

As I sat on the reclining planetarium chair and looked up at the dome screen with my ears feeling the drums of the opening music, I felt transported. For the next 45 minutes, I was experiencing art, science, and culture in a way I never thought possible. It pushed the boundaries of what all is capable in a dome theatre. 

This show is available in Spanish on Saturdays.

To read more about the event check out: https://events.umich.edu/event/95036

PREVIEW: Here Nor There

allychoi Leave a comment

Here Nor There is a new solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist and environmentalist Kristina Sheufelt, who recently received her MFA from the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design.

In Here Nor There, Sheufelt uses “a variety of media to blur the lines between land and body.” Sheufelt has spent her past few summers living in remote backcountry locations to work on research projects where she monitored marine wildlife populations and self-directed a study of emotional psychology in the wilderness. In this exhibition, Sheufelt processes “the emotional and ecological implications of returning to life in the city between reunions with the wild.”

As someone who loves the wilderness and relates to the jarring back and forth between the city and backcountry, this caught my eye right away, and I think I’ll be able to draw a lot of personal connection to the collection. I also got a peek through the RC art gallery windows, and from what I could tell, the collection looks really raw, unique, and evocative.

It will be available to view at the RC art gallery from September 9 – October 14, 2022, 9am – 10 pm! Come see Here Nor There!

Event page on RC website: https://lsa.umich.edu/rc/news-events/all-events.detail.html/97342-21794350.html

REVIEW: RE:CLAIM

Sabrina Kliza Leave a comment

When I walked into the opening night of the RE:CLAIMED Immersion opening night, I did not know what to expect. I half read the eventbrite description of the event and understood that there would be poetry, dancers, music, and visual artwork. However, I could not imagine the form that it would take. I must admit I was nervous to attend and a bit lagging as I walked the streets of downtown Ann Arbor to the Washtenaw County Courthouse, which was a place I only ever passed and never had a single thought of going into. When I got to the courthouse, a metal detector awaited me. I almost turned around right then. Then I saw the smiling face of the guards who took my phone, keys, and loose pencils from my pockets to run through the machine and I began to understand the purpose of this event. It was a celebration. A celebration in honor of art and the work of the Youth Arts Alliance, Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper, Amplify Project, and Title Track, and the Washtenaw County Trial Court.

 

I found further comfort from the intimidating surroundings of the courthouse in the autumn tree that greeted me at the entrance way. Its presence seemed to say, “hey this building isn’t as scary as it seems. Check me out, I’m a tree and I’m doing just fine here.” From there I climbed the steps to the second floor. On the stairwell, there was a little room titled Proud Little Witch designed by the artist Rowan McClung-Compton. It welcomed me as it reminded me that this event was about art and art was meant to be viewed by people even if they did not fully grasp what the event was for. 

On the second floor of the building was where the bulk of the art was. Paintings lined the hallway and a stage had been set up in a corridor surrounded by anticipating adults for the upcoming dance routine. One of my favorite exhibitions of work came from the courtroom itself. I’d never been in a courtroom before so I got a bit of giddy excitement at being in a place that reminded me of being on a set of a movie or tv show. The pinhole photographs exhibited there added an interesting contrast of human presence to the room. It reminded me that this wasn’t a tv set but a place that impacted the lives of people.

Overall the event was a bit intimidating. However, it was great to see the power of artwork in action as it brought the community together and gave these young people a voice.

PREVIEW: Bodies Bodies Bodies

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Bodies Bodies Bodies is playing at the State Theater this Sunday at 3:45!

The American black comedy horror film was released on August 5th, directed by Halina Reijn in her English-language debut. The synopsis from A24: “When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game goes awry in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.” Some actors you might recognize are Amandla Stenerg and Pete Davidson. 

I’m looking forward to seeing a horror movie in theaters. It has been a while! I’m also a big fan of Amandla Stenberg; I first heard about the movie through her instagram. I’ve heard things on Twitter about the dialogue being a little too realistic, about how the movie contained conversations that sounded straight out of their own lives. The movie seems to have echoes of 1990s/2000s thrillers. Another plus is that the film features a new single by Charli XCX, one of my favorite artists. I look forward to experiencing the thrill! 

If you miss this showing, there are plenty more to come at the State Theater very soon!

featured image and synopsis credit: https://a24films.com/films/bodies-bodies-bodies

PREVIEW: Tales of the Maya Skies

IseeUsee Leave a comment

 

Have you ever been to a planetarium? Did you think the dome theaters were only for looking at the stars? Have you ever wondered what is possible in this science museum theater?
To really push your imaginations on what can be done here, you might want to check out the latest show at the Museum of Natural History: Tales of Maya Skies. It is a show combining science, cosmology, and myth and how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics.
If you love astronomy, ancient civilizations, planetariums, or unique media, this might be the show for you!
This show happens every weekend so you have plenty of time to enjoy this awesome exhibit.

 

This show is also available in Spanish on Saturdays!