Photographs, hand crafted pieces, claymation and drawings made up this year's faculty exhibit called HIT. Though it featured some brilliant art, most of the show was far from being a "HIT."
Standout pieces included "Our Lady of El Cajon Blvd" and "Making Myths 101," both by George Essex, a structural ceramics technician of 13 years and a former Southwestern College student. The ceramic woman in "Our Lady of El Cajon Blvd" represents a prostitute and the life she lives. This ceramic is unique as it places a holy aspect on the immoral life of a "street walker."
Candles surrounded "Making Myths 101," a shrine to the late Michael Jackson, who is portrayed as Jesus in a large frame. This is an amazing and haunting piece. Jackson's death impacted American pop culture and world music. Essex's portrayal of Jackson was true to form, as he illustrated Jackson's iconic presence utilizing comparisons and worship by fellow fans and artists as the king of kings.
"Drawing_in_the_Media_Stream_SWC" is an illustration that is completely out of the norm. Newspaper clippings covered cardboard cutouts representing a historic timeline from 9/11 to Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
The idea of this piece is that the media streams news so fast that it circulates like fads. But history should be remembered. Artist Tony Allard, formulates these visuals in order to refresh the memories and enlighten those who have not witnessed these events. Allard is building this timeline, adding to the different segments based on media as the exhibit continues.
There are offerings that are also very strange, one being the "Museé de Louvre" by artist Katherine Sweetman, adjunct instructor of art.
"Museé de Louvre" is a video of architectural male genitalia. The concept is quite difficult to understand, yet the theme is consistent. Each picture displayed focuses on the lower half of male bodies. Lacking insight, these images are distracting and slightly perverted.
Another display lacking taste labeled "untitled" is seemingly made of wax that represents a woman's body with red satin cloth oozing from her like blood by artist Bernadette Mingus, professor of art. There are also breasts grouped on the walls of the room this piece was set in. It looked more like a crime scene rather than a celebration of womanhood.
The exhibit wasn't as much of a "HIT" as anticipated. Some professors of art need to hit the books again. Select displays deserved a standing ovation, while some a trip to the dumpster. Maybe in future staff galleries, our faculty might bring something a little more enticing and worthy to the table.
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