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World Interpreted’ faculty show closes

Posted on Mar 08, 2010 in Sports

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Every class period students receive critiques from professors about their work, but this month students have given professors feedback as part of the faculty show “World Interpreted.”

Graphic design professor Doug Barrett lends some meaning to the show’s name.

“Designers are authors. We should always use own skills for own projects to explore new ground as designer. Designers become culture creators,” he said.

Barrett’s contributions to the show focused on the interplay between what is real or tangible and what is perceived.
“The blur created by the motion of the train recreates the world in a new way, like my vision of Tokyo, mapping is personal, like I am the author of Tokyo,” he said.

The vivid colors and clean illustration style of Barrett’s work lend itself to the sleek architecture prevalent throughout the Japanese capital.

“Its my personal stamp on Japanese culture, where color is important in the culture and cuteness and poking fun is a means to get through the daily grind,” Barrett said.

One of the most eye-catching pieces in the show was three pieces of painting professor Gary Chapman’s “Creation” (2008) series.

“‘Re Creation’ is a visual communication of what I think a conversation between a white man and a black man on race without any prejudices between them would be about,” he said.

Chapman employs liberal use of symbolism to create a message. One recurring element to his works are strands of ivy, seen here wrapping around the skeletal form.

“Ivy has been a symbol of immortality and friendship for centuries,” he said. “The way I create art is on three levels: there’s the superficial layer such as the composition and technique, a second layering of meaning that hopefully keeps a viewer’s interest in the piece and helps them think deeper. Then there’s the third layer that is supposed to be cathartic. For me its about releasing emotions that inspired the piece and I hope it helps others release parts of themselves needing relief, too.”

Fellow design professor and art department chairman Erin Wright also presented work at the show focusing on meaning and change. Many of the posters illustrate the need to respect others including “Close GITMO (Guantanamo),” (2009) and “Liberty/Tyranny” (2007).

“I’m not about rallying behind a cause because everyone else is, but I believe we need to treat each other as we want to be treated,” he said. “I mainly design posters. It has a specific purpose, but once the event is over if the design is good enough then the poster remains on the wall instead of being thrown away,” Wright said.

Wright shared his experience in becoming a designer with the audience before challenging the listening students to push themselves.

“I wanted to do art, but my high school did not have a good art program. However, my teacher influenced my life any ways because he told me there was no way to make money in art so I should try graphic design. I discovered that you can make it as an artist if you are the best, so put your heart into it and be the best in whatever you do.”
 

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