Dec 11
Updated 12/12/12: Here is a recording of yesterday’s WRMC broadcast with commentary by Professor Peter Hamlin, Alan Sanders ’13.5 and Martin Sweeney ’13.
Original: The Electronic Music class (MUSC 212) will be broadcasting their final projects on WRMC 91.1FM this afternoon (Tuesday, December 11) at 4PM, be sure to tune in (you can stream it on the WRMC website if you don’t have a radio). Read what the class has to say after the jump: Read more
Feb 17
The Middlebury College Museum of Art’s newest special exhibit, “Environment and Object: Recent African Art” showcases works from a number of African artists that speak to problems within their respective environments, be they man-made or natural.
The works in the collection are highly critical of man-made disasters affecting natural environments and ways of life, such as deforestation and the draining of natural resources. Many artists have used found objects and items destined for landfills in their pieces, such as plastic bags, bottles and bottle caps (the latter of which come primarily from bottles of alcohol, revealing further problems within society) as a means of creating visually compelling and argumentative works of art.
Oil Spill Near Farm Land Ogoni by George Osodi (2007)
The predominant aim of the exhibit is to reject any and all romanticized views of Africa held by westerners, primarily by calling attention to conditions affecting the continent as a means of fostering conversation and awareness.
Pieces in the exhibit can be found hanging in the CFA lobby and on the second floor of the museum, in addition to a single interactive room on the ground floor of the museum. Viyé Diba’s “Nous sommes nombreux…” asks viewers to walk through the gallery, while avoiding three-dimensional objects that have been strewn about the floor. It’s harder than it seems, and viewers have no choice but to tip-toe carefully about the room. The wide variety of works displayed are worth viewing, if for no reason other than the fact that many of Africa’s issues are some of our own.
Prominent African artists such as El Anatsui and Zwelethu Mthethwa, as well as emerging talents Lara Baladi and Nnenna Okore are featured in the exhibition.
“Environment and Object: Recent African Art” runs through April 22 at the Middlebury College Museum of Art. The show was installed at Skidmore College (NY) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) before traveling to Vermont.
Nov 28
What: BINARIES is the latest exhibit at the M Gallery. A multimedia show curated by Nerissa Khan, it features a wide range of media and showcases many student artists: Brad Becker-Parton, Elma Burnham, Emma Ermotti, Evio Issac, Ki Chan Lee, Karen Rauppius, and Annie Veziris.
When: Fridays 3-6pm, Saturdays 12-6pm and Sundays 12-6pm. The exhibit is up until December 9th, so don’t miss it!
Where: The M Gallery (1st floor of Old Stone Mill)
Why: Even though you may have missed the opening night, the art still shines in residence. M Gallery’s vision of creating a meaningful exhibit space for student artists and discussion of art comes to life once again with this inspiring exhibit. Freshly inaugurated this term, definitely bookmark the M Gallery website for future exhibits, performances, lectures and all things Art here at Middlebury.
And heck, while you’re basically in town, why not treat yourself to a Middlebury Chocolates hot chocolate. You’ll thank me later.
Nov 19
See the Art of Sucess today at 2PM and 8PM
Arts Runoff is a Middblog series of performance reviews, originally written by JP Allen ’11. Ele Woods ’11.5 is going to take over the series for now!
Summary: A look at censorship, sexuality and artistry with a rock n’ roll feel. Nick Dear writes a smart and bawdy comedy that follows what happens when a famous— if not somewhat pedestrian— artist, William Hogarth, captures the portrait of a murderess in her last few days on earth. Hogarth’s series of paintings “A Harlot’s Progress” forces a discussion of government benefaction vs. creative liberty and the artist’s duty to society vs. his backer. Feminism, or rather, what it means to be various kinds of a man’s whore in 1730’s London, is also discussed. Poop jokes, dick jokes and the audience eating out (of) Lindsey Messmore’s hand.
Good: It was historically interesting and politically relevant. It was raunchy and it was wild. Many of the actors seemed like they were having a fun time onstage. Christo Grabowski was great, as always. His accent was clear and consistent and he performed his role with poise and humor. Max Hoffman, despite being such a young actor, has good timing, a strong stage presence and a comforting ease with his character. Izzy Shill, so beautifully transformed, was extremely convincing and did a great job in the kind of part we theater go-ers don’t often get to see her play. She made big choices for her role and the results were impressive. The costumes were beautiful and appropriately extravagant. The makeup was awesome. Jule Emerson, Marcia Provoncha, Hannah Rommer, and student seamstresses had a scandalously fun reinterpretation of the 18th century. Richard Romagnoli and the faculty design team have some great technical surprises up their sleeves that I don’t want to spoil, but will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat.
Bad: The top of the show seemed to lack a little energy and I wished more of the actors had been having more fun with such an awesome play. One doesn’t often get to romp around in bustiers and tight riding pants. Some could have afforded to take a few more risks. I found most of the accents difficult to understand. I know that accents as a rule can be hard, but many actors were lacking diction and volume. I mean, British actors can still understand each other through their accents right?
Broad: There were big risks taken by the director and the playwright that were dropped by some of the cast. However, the confidence and kink that seasoned theater majors Lindsey Messmore and Grabowksi brought to their one scene together, alone, made the play worth watching. It was enjoyable and it wasn’t too long of a show. I laughed and I cringed, but not as much as I should have or wanted to.
Contextual Rating: There are two more shows today! If you already have something planned this afternoon/ evening…
…do it, and see this show if you can.
…put it off and see ART OF SUCCESS
…skip it. SEE THIS SHOW
Nov 6
Go to 00:26:28 to watch the Otter’s winning performance in the New England Regional
Middlebury’s Otter Nonsense Improv group won the College Improv Tournament (CIT) New England Regional last night in Boston beating out 18 other schools in their first improv competition ever. In March, they will travel to Chicago to compete in the National Tournament. You can watch their winning performance here or above, starting at 00:26:28. They chose the word “platinum” from the crowd, which translated into some crazy scenes involving emotion-destroying robots.
The Otter’s will be performing back on campus on Tuesday, November 15th in Johnson. Here is a preview of the show.
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