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Panel with Jenny Cavallero and Elizabeth Norman

I attended a virtual Q&A panel with female comedians Jenny Cavallero and Elizabeth Norman on Friday, October 9, 2020. It was very inspirational to listen to women talk so openly about the hardships faced by minorities in comedy and stand up spheres. I was reminded of Arts Scholars when Cavallero discussed how she uses hard and interesting moments in her life (her father’s death, her alcoholism, having a disability) as inspiration in her comedy. It inspired me to rethink about many events in my life in a comedic light. I felt very lucky to be able to talk to such insightful women in such a casual manner. 

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Michelle Buteau’s “Welcome to Buteaupia”

I joined UMD’s Hysterics to stream “Welcome to Buteaupia” on Friday, October 2, 2020. I found that the film, which inspired me to begin writing comedy again, related to my studies in three ways. Firstly, as a film it relates to my film studies major, although I did not find the directing particularly unique. Secondly, the way Buteau’s personal experiences shape her stand up relate to what we have learned about expressing ourselves through art in Arts Scholars. Lastly, Buteau’s discussion of activism and her experiences as a woman of color relate to my journalism major as part of her set was educational. 

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Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Streamed on May 9, 2020 via Netflix. 

This was the second time I have seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, although the first time was several years ago. I remember disliking the movie originally, but enjoyed it upon this second viewing. I appreciated the way the movie reflected the time period it was made in as opposed to seeing it as cheesy. I also loved Holly’s personality, originally missing more subtle aspects of her story. This viewing relates to my film studies major especially because I was able to watch the movie in a different way after a year of studying film studies at UMD. It also relates to Arts Scholars as it demonstrates how you can experience art differently from other people or over time. 

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Pentathlon 4 - No Pain

I streamed Chris D’elia’s stand up comedy special “No Pain” on Netflix on April 20, 2020. 

While he is not my favorite comedian, I have been watching Chris D’elia’s Netflix specials for years. Watching this newest special, it was interesting to see the way his comedy has evolved over the years. His jokes were more sophisticated and his demeanor has seemed to mellow out. It was inspirational to see how one’s art can evolve over years and years of work. I hope to one day be able to look at what I’ve created in Arts Scholars and be able to see growth in my art. 

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Pentathlon Event 3 - Paterson

Paterson (2016) watched online on March 29, 2020  

This film greatly reminded me of what we’ve learned in Arts Scholars. The movie centers on creating art for oneself instead of for others. In addition, it also focuses on finding art in the small things and as a way of expressing gratitude. The many different forms of art that we have engaged with in Arts Scholars have shown us how to find art in anything, often using it as a way to reflect like in our journals. Many of the journal prompts, and many art projects, help to teach us to make art for ourselves. 

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Neuro Blooms: Mixed Media Art by Leslie Holt at the Stamp Gallery on March 3, 2020. 

I drew a significant amount of inspiration from this gallery. I loved the mix of embroidery and acrylics. The mix of media reminded me of several pieces exhibited by other Arts Scholars students. As someone who struggles with mental illnesses, I found the entire gallery a beautiful and interesting representation of different mental illnesses. It turns an often overlooked topic into a forefront conversation, a power of art we have discussed in Arts Scholars.  

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I saw Laura McKowen touring her book “We Are the Luckiest” at Solid State Books in Washington, DC on January 27, 2020. I believe this book reading and discussion exemplified what we’ve learned in Arts Scholars about how people experience art differently. Everyone saw the book differently and drew inspiration from it in different ways. This event made it more clear to me how important book discussions are, with or without the author present. Art can be seen from entirely different perspectives. 

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Pentathlon Event 5 - Tyler, the Creator

Tyler, the Creator is currently touring Igor, an album outlining him dealing with being broken up. I saw him perform at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, August 21. Since I was attending the concert with the guy who broke up with me a few weeks earlier, many of the songs hit too close to home. This was driven by Tyler’s incredible performing. Whenever he broke the fourth wall, he was funny and witty and odd, but when he was singing you could hear and see him change. You can feel his emotion in the song and its performance. I found the concert moving and melancholic but, considering the varying music performed and my unique circumstances, I’m sure the majority of those attending this concert would have completely different descriptors than me. I think this is how the experience relates to Scholars Arts; it showcased how everyone interprets and experiences art differently, something we’ve discussed in class.  

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Pentathlon Event 4 - Eric Andre Tour

Eric Andre, Legalize Everything Tour at Warner Theater, September 16, 2019. 

This performance was like no other. It was an incredible mix of absurdist improv, sketches, visuals, and stand up. Despite the surrealism abundant in the show, Andre managed to remain coherent and deliver many powerful political messages within his jokes. Eric Andre broadened my experience with, understanding of, and enjoyment of improv as it is not a comedy type I am usually interested in. The show managed to connect to CPSA through its pushing of boundaries. Before this show, I didn’t see two strangers competitively drinking ranch as art but now I think there’s a strong case to be made. The opening artist also pushed quite a few boundaries as a young, queer, Jewish woman performing content usually seen as too explicit for women.  

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Pentathlon Event 3

Emma Weisbaum: TURNED on (Read Receipts) at The Clarice, August 13, 2019. 

I enjoyed this exhibit. I loved the color scheme, the dark against the neons. I also thought that the lights, though they seemed like such a small addition, added a lot to the pieces. These pieces felt like a more modern art exhibit and I thought they came together quite well. They connected to Arts Scholars by pushing the boundaries of art exhibits, updating them with modern messages and unique additions.

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NextNOW Fest

Dance Exchange, Snail Mail, and LUCID DREAMING

What did you see/hear/learn that was completely new to you? 

The Dance Exhibit was new to me in more ways than one. The use of the back of a moving truck as apart of their set was unique and creative while the audience interaction was something I’m not used to seeing in theater. The experience was reminiscent of the outdoor plays I used to go to as a kid where the experience was overall more interactive. I enjoyed this updated take. 

What was your favorite performance/experience? Why was it your favorite? 

My favorite performance was Snail Mail. Lindsey Jordan had great stage presence, from the way she bounced around stage carelessly to her opening up and crying during her last song. On top of that, her lyricism and vocal talents lended to a great musical performance.

What instances did you notice where artists were collaborating or working beyond the boundaries of a particular arts discipline? How do you think collaboration and interdisciplinarity are helping to push the boundaries of what we understand art to be?

The well-orchestrated blend of virtual reality and art in LUCID DREAMING pushed the boundaries of an art exhibit. This summer I attended an exhibit at the Renwick Gallery in DC that tried to mix VR with glass sculptures and the overall effect was underwhelming. It was clunky, hard to navigate, and added very little to the physical artwork. LUCID DREAMING found a way to bring art to VR that was fun and aesthetically pleasing, the two aspects playing off each other. The use of VR specifically is a great example of the boundaries of art being pushed as technology finds its ways into every part of life, even art. Being able to blend disciplines leads to the potential for new unique ideas.  

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Pentathlon Event Two: Convocation

I enjoyed convocation on August 30th much more than I was expecting to beforehand. The flashlight activity was the most creative and unique ice breaker I’ve ever participated in. I thought the speakers were all very engaging and concise. Overall, the convocation succeeded in creating a feeling of togetherness and exciting me for the upcoming year. Of course, this is connected to Arts Scholars as it was a welcome to Scholars. 

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Pentathlon Event One: MSOM Practice

I attended an open MSOM marching band practice on August 23rd. I was interested in attending because, in addition to being able to hear the band practice from my dorm, I was the drum major of my marching band last year. Coming from a smaller high school, I thought the MSOM was incredible. To me, they sounded full and perfect and the technique they used was more advanced than my old band. This is connected to Arts Scholars as it is a more specific art form blending music and marching for visual effects.