#nextnow2017

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #3

How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of "Going Viral"?

I felt that the third dance piece in the NextDANCE performance represented the virality of conformity. It began with all of the dancers still on stage, with one dancer moving. The other dancers all watched the first dancer until everyone started doing the same movements. This theme continued through the majority of the piece, until pairs of dancers broke free from the conformity to explore different realms of movement. I also thought the Silent Disc-Glo experience could relate to the Arts Scholars theme of “Going Viral” because whenever familiar songs were played through the headphones, it felt like the whole room was singing the lyrics or dancing the popular choreography. The viral power of music and dance was definitely showcased in this event.

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #2

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

My favorite performance was the NextDANCE showcase in which graduate and undergraduate students presented their spring semester final works. I was especially enthralled by the piece with the trash, contortionist, and emulation of society versus the individual. As a dancer, the pieces sparked by creative imagination and I was truly impressed by their control of the craft. Before the NextNOW Festival, I did not perceive lighting production as a form of art. However, after the incredibly tripping lighting and projections in the Silent Disc-Glo, I really respected the complexity behind this electronic art form. Overall, the Silent Disc-Glo was by far my favorite experience because it combined new technology with a club-like atmosphere. The headphones gave listeners the freedom to choose what music they wanted to listen to, and the competing DJs brought a new dimension to the whole experience.

[isabelscpsarts]

Reflection #1

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

The NextNOW Festival was a truly eye-opening experience complete with innovations, breaking boundaries, and bringing the future a little bit closer in today’s society. I learned about how far virtual and augmented reality has come in the technology world in addition to the programming steps and strategies taken in order to actualize a polished product. I also had the opportunity to really dive in and comprehend the true sense of unity that artwork brings to a community. This was especially true with the Unit Mural Creation in which I was able to contribute firsthand to the creation of a stunning piece of art.

[dothesamnthing-blog]

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

        I experienced Virtual Reality for the first time. I was against it at first because I didn’t like the fact that the technology was that close to your head but it was a pretty surreal experience.

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

       I really liked the Maryland Filmmakers Showcase, specifically the movie Grimmy because it wasn’t your typical movie with cliches and the like. It portrayed a little girl essentially as grim reaper: one in a happy-bubbly and the other dark and depressed, more like the air of the grim reaper. It was actually intriguing and the message was strange but it made you think deeply about what it was trying to portray (I still haven’t quite figured out what the message was.”

How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of "Going Viral"?

I think that the Virtual reality Demo had the potential to contribute to the campaign of “going viral.” Although the demo was centered around playing a game using the virtual reality technology, it could be used to show people what it is like to live in a third world country or just present to them someone’s daily struggle in a surround-visual way. I think that this technology could bring a lot of perspective and empathy to those who are ignorant to the issues that people face living in impoverished countries.

[samcpsarts]

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

I had not seen any short films by UMD students before. I also had never seen or heard a silent disco before, and I had never seen such an disappointing, poorly-run virtual reality demo before.

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

My favorite experience was the silent disco because it provided multiple DJ channels, which was convenient when I felt like skipping a song. Also, this event allowed me to hang out with my friends.

3) How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of “Going Viral”?

At the silent disco, the broadcasting of music instantly to large groups of people showed how synchronized technology now allows us to be.

[taylormcpsarts-blog]

1. The experience that was completely new to me was the musical tech board thing. It was made up of materials that we use every day, which I thought was pretty cool. 2. I don't have a specific favorite experience because everything I encountered evoked a different feeling from me that made me really enjoy it. 3. All of the events that I attended models the go viral theme because each of them use their talents to spread knowledge and others talents.

[melissaocpsarts-blog]

What did you see/hear/learn that was completely new to you? One thing that was completely new to me was the Australian String Quartet. I’ve never seen a string performance (in person) that wasn’t performed by our school’s own music program. This was the first time I’ve seen actual adults perform, so you can see where all the hard work and practice leads up to.

What was your favorite performance/experience? Why was it your favorite? My favorite performance was Malik Stewart. His drumming skills are extraordinary. He did tricks while performing and took his time to interact with the crowd which I thought was awesome. I can definitely see why those big named artists, such as D.R.A.M. and Usher, chose him to drum for them. 

How might one or more of the performances/experiences relate to the Arts Scholars theme of "Going Viral"? These performances might relate to the theme of going viral because many people, amazed by what they were seeing, wanted to capture the memory by either recording it or taking pictures, which they then shared with their friends/followers. Even this current assignment where we post pictures of and write about these performances facilitates in their spread- enabling them to go “viral”.

[isabelscpsarts]

Silent Disc-Glo