Hope in digital
by Julianna Thibodeaux
Visual Arts Review | Thru Dec. 10
Hope lives on in the beep of a digital camera, in the hum of a film projection, even in a still photograph of a child holding a gun. The Herron School of Art Photography Department opened its last show of the year last weekend, showcasing the final projects of nine of the department’s seniors. Why, you may be wondering, does this work merit attention, when there are so many other offerings these days, most featuring professional or at least modestly accomplished artists? In my many years of looking at art, I’ve solidified my belief that art that says something has more value than art that simply looks good. If art does both, it’s a win-win.
Over the past few years, having viewed so much more of the latter variety — the klieg lights may be on, but the artist’s soul appears to have left the building — I was delighted and encouraged to see that the next generation of artists are interested in content; that is, if this group of artists is any indication. Photography, installation and film comprised a modest exhibition, including still photographs, a video installation and two films. Content ranged from photographs of female inmates visiting with their children, a child playing with a gun and hotel cleaning women. These, done in the documentary style, were not glitzy or slick; they were honest, sometimes arresting and visually interesting. A Muslim student produced a film at Indianapolis International Airport on Sept. 11 as an expression of peace. The film revealed the surprisingly nonchalant responses of passersby as the student, dressed in his Muslim robes, engaged in prayer in the middle of a concourse. Another student explored her interest in minimalism with photographs of turquoise washes of color. That said, many of the pieces here were unpolished. (I’ll leave the specific critiquing to their professor.) But which is better — beautifully crafted but emotionally vacant work, or passionate, heartfelt art that has only to be refined (and certainly, with perseverance and time, the technical end will be developed)? If these are representatives of the larger pool of young artists just beginning their careers (and, one hopes, sticking with them), then there’s hope that art will once again achieve a more meaningful place in the public discourse, and substance will once again gain prominence alongside style. The Herron School of Art Photography Department Senior Show is on view at the Herron Photo Lab, 222 W. Michigan St. (three blocks east of the IUPUI main entrance), through Dec. 10. Contact Lisa Rainey at 414-3646 for more information.
