The Trail

Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: A&E

The 2007 Diversity Theme Year committee was not afraid to take some creative liberties with their winter art show.

The exhibition's uniqueness has been, in part, enabled by the openness of the idea it addresses. Intersections of Identity, the topic of the current Diversity Theme Year as well as that of the show, is a reoccurring theme in many varieties of art. Thanks to the issue's broadness, the exhibition's coordinators could have taken it in countless different directions. The end result? A diverse, accessible display of art that is definitely a little bit out of the ordinary.

Most students are used to having to go out of their way in order to be able to enjoy an on-campus art show. This will not be necessary for the Intersections Identity exhibition. The display is located in the Center for Writing, Learning and Teaching in Howarth 109, which is right on the way to many students' classes. Diversity Theme Year coordinator and senior Clay Harmon felt this touch would help the exhibition to get more exposure.

"I wanted to take the art and bring it to the students," he quipped, "rather than the other way around."

Harmon noted that he felt it was unfortunate that many UPS art shows receive little attention due to their placement in under-trafficked venues such as Kitteridge Gallery, and believed the Intersections of Identity exhibition's location could help bring publicity to the artists, Diversity Theme Year and the CWLT.

Generally, art exhibitions only highlight the visual varieties of art. These limits, however, were not ones that the Diversity Theme Year committee was willing to embrace. Art goes far beyond paintings and sculptures, and this was acknowledged at the opening of the Intersections of Identity display, at which three individuals read selections of their own poetry. David Lev, a freshman, contributed his poem "Eternally With Foot In Mouth and Therefore Unsure of Himself" to the exhibition. Lev noted his piece dealt with the intersections of identity he had faced in his own life through discussing "both who I felt I was and who others thought I was." Both Lev and Harmon felt that poetry had been a unique and successful addition to the display.

The Intersections of Identity art show with 15 pieces of visual art, which include sculpture, paintings, photos and mixed media, will remain in the CWLT until spring break. Students are encouraged to stop by any time during class hours.

Went to the art show and still craving diversity? Fear not! On February 19th, Prof. Roger Daniels of the University of Cincinnati will give a lecture on World War Two's Japanese internment camps as they relate to modern day struggles.

Intersections of Identity also regularly puts on Difficult Dialogues, in which students are invited to come discuss controversial issues. Past topics range from world hunger to the concept of politeness. On March 21st, you are encouraged to come voice your opinions on faith and reproductive rights.

Would you like to have some input in promoting diversity awareness at UPS? Diversity Theme Year holds weekly committee meetings on Fridays at 10:00 in the Student Diversity Center. Any students with ideas are welcome.

Jessi Wyse

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