A crudely constructed "house" made out of plastic tubing and patterned bed sheets, reminiscent of a childhood fort, stood in the middle of the Atrium of the Center for the Arts, with a rickety, multi-colored ladder protruding from its cardboard roof. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played in the background.
It was a twisted version of "The Wizard of Oz." It was odd. It was art.
The annual Senior Thesis Exhibit, which displays graduating seniors' art work, opened Tuesday, April 9, in both the upstairs and downstairs galleries. It showcased some of the most avant-garde art from every discipline offered at UB, including senior Nick Golebiewski's piece, titled "Oz."
Senior Thesis, a two-semester class offered to senior art students, gives graduating students a chance to display their work and is known for producing conceptual and contemporary pieces.
Golebiewski explained that the meaning behind his piece dealt with the creation of "homemade magic," juxtaposed with a deep connection to ancient ties to the Hopi Indians.
Like Golebiewski, many students combined aspects from sculpture, painting, video, photo, performance art and installation, in a multidisciplinary display of artistic talent. Professor David Sherm, one of three faculty teaching the course, called it "a hybridization of the medium."
In the fall semester, students were asked to design a proposal about an issue that they would spend the next year evolving, changing and ultimately producing. According to Sherm, students would be asked to explain every detail of the work of art, from their initial concept and message to the materials and media used.
Sherm's counterparts, Associate Professor Jolene Rickard and Lecturer Osnat Haber, engaged the 35 students in a series of critiques to file down the occasionally rough edges of their intangible ideas.
"The faculty has been very proactive and very hands-on," Sherm said.
The result of nearly a year of critiquing was an enormous collection of work on the cutting edge of contemporary art. The themes discussed in the pieces ranged from eating disorders to the events of Sept. 11, generating considerable dialogue at the opening Tuesday.
Other pieces included in this year's show included comical endeavors such as an untitled work by Michael Meier composed of 57 pen and ink drawings of garden tools, each phallically positioned, and a sculpture by Kelly Grant titled "It's Important to Have as Much Socks as Possible," which included a motorized, gyrating bed and hundreds of miniature socks.
Other students chose to work on more serious themes. Colin Hargraves has spent the last year working on a massive painting titled "Requiem." Displayed in the second floor gallery, it dealt with the process of creating art as a college student and the ghosts of an artist that are left behind on a canvas. Hargraves said that the act of creation is the reason he remains an artist.
"In art you have the process and the product," Hargraves said. "To some people, like myself, the process is far more interesting and romantic."
Though the pieces contained in the two galleries and several smaller surrounding rooms displayed wild and sometimes wacky ideas, not all in attendance appreciated these works.
Mike Meinhold, a junior majoring in psychology, found himself confused about the meaning behind the work and wondered if some of the items found in the gallery actually constituted art.
"You can be a good artist and not be able to create art," Meinhold said.
Perhaps some of the negative response was due to the lack of artist statements, typically located alongside each piece. Due to time constraints, statements were not included this year. However, Grant indicated that they would probably be available by graduation.
Other spectators enjoyed the pieces and after speaking to the artists present at the opening, they understood the art with clarity.
Chris Siano, a graduate student in architecture, understands the time and effort necessary to create solid pieces of art and found pieces in the show that displayed a high level of time and involvement.
"I think there are pieces in the show that show a lot of rigor," said Siano.
There is still time to view these cutting-edge pieces and form an opinion. The Senior Thesis Exhibit will be on display in both the basement and second floor galleries of the CFA until Thursday, April 25.
