Author: Gracie Mitchell

Title of Event: Annual Student Art Gala

Date & Time: April 11 – May 14 (I went on April 25)

Location of Event: Samek Art Gallery

Type of Event: Art Exhibition

Title of Event: Christian Viveros-Fauné Lecture

Date and time of event: March 23 @ 5pm

Location of Event: Hislop Family Auditorium, Holmes Hall

Type of Event: Guest Artist Lecture

1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.)

Viveros-Fauné talked about his book, Social Forms: A Short History of Political Art, and the accompanying show he curated. He talked about how political moments and movements have and have not been represented in art throughout history. He described many other books, artists, and authors. Viveros-Fauné went on to talk about a handful of examples from his book, pictures of the artwork accompanied his in-depth descriptions. Following his talk, there was a brief Q&A. 

2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?

I don’t know if it is just Thursday, my most exhausting day, or if the lecture lacked a certain wow factor that had my attention waning in and out. I found the first 30 minutes to be wordy, lacking in visuals to help engage and work with the information being spoken. I felt that this time focused on the ideas and voices of others rather than Viveros-Fauné’s own. Viveros-Fauné gave a lecture best for those with multiple degrees and years of understanding in art and art history. 

3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?

I found Viveros-Fauné’s knowledge of the work he discussed to be rather impressive. He displayed a great understanding of the artwork, the artist, and the historical context when providing insight. 

4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 )

Three 

5.) Justify your rating in the question above:

I found the artist’s lecture to be lacking in intriguing visuals or any visuals in the beginning. Personally, I need a good visual to help keep my attention and to deepen my understanding, even if the occasional quote he said was also written on the screen. I felt as those the audience was being talked at rather than being engaged with and talked to. 

Title of Event: Anthony Cervino Six Second Delay artist talk and opening exhibition

Date and time of event: Thursday, January 26th, 5:00 pm

Location of Event: Holmes Hall Auditorium 

Type of Event: Guest Artist Lecture

1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.) 

Anthony Cervino gave an hour-long talk about his exhibition that is currently in the Holmes Hall exhibition space. Cervino talked about his inspirations and fascination with radio and broadcasting. He presented and talked about a handful of his pieces over the years and explained some of the background behind the pieces. He also talked about his time in residency in Switzerland. Cervino concluded the talk with a quick q&a session. 

2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?

During the talk, it was evident that Cervino draws a lot on his childhood in his artwork as well as the stages of life he is in. There were a lot of connections made to his childhood through different books, sculptures, and themes that were carried throughout his presentation. From this talk, I really got that you can take inspiration from anywhere and you can interpret inspiration in a variety of ways. It was really interesting to learn Cervino has had to abandon some of his pieces in Switzerland due to shipping costs, I cannot imagine leaving an artwork that I spent a lot of time and thought on behind. 

3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?

The sculpture that Cervino did in downtown Baltimore that resembled the plastic toy part pieces was something that really spoke to me. As a Maryland native, I could picture some of the elements that were focused on in the sculpture. When I was a kid I also enjoyed twisting the plastic parts off of the sheet so I found the sculpture to be reminiscent of my childhood as well.  

4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 ) 

Seven  

5.) Justify your rating in the question above:

I gave the event a seven because I found the talk to be very thought-provoking and I really enjoyed the pieces that were shown in the presentation but was underwhelmed by some of the pieces shown in the exhibition space.