Art Show Breathes Life into Sterile Halls

You’ve seen the art, haven’t you? The first week it was up it covered about half of the fourth floor hallway and now it spans it almost entirely. In studying the pieces or just passing by I’ve heard any number of favorable comments from iSchoolers awed by their classmates’ skill. Whether they’re talking about the huge and intricate piece from the IQL conference, Betha Gutsche’s sculpted hand cheerfully disrupting the flow of traffic, Paul Nasenbeny’s quietly captivating mixed media, Reverend Dobrowolsky’s subversive installations, or SJ Alexander’s terrifying “project,” everyone is finding something to discuss.

This marks the third year that spring has seen an art show in MGH. Over the past couple years Eugenio, with the support of iArts, has planned and installed the show with the help of iSchoolers - both in producing work and hanging the pieces. This year, the actual hanging of the artworks occurred over two weekends when Eugenio was assisted by a representative from iArts, Betha Gutsche, and several other iSchoolers.

“I really encourage all kinds of work,” Eugenio said. “I don’t want just paintings, sculpture, or realistic art… I want a variety of stuff. This is a low-pressure sort of thing, with no expectations one way or another.”

The idea was originally inspired in part by the building’s environment. MGH’s long, white, sterile hallways cry out for something to break up all that long, white, sterile space. Eugenio was pleasantly surprised by how well the first show worked and how nice it has been to have fresh art on the walls every year.

“I didn’t realize how much of a difference it makes,” said Eugenio. And the difference isn’t only in the appearance of the building. As the show was originally envisioned, it was to be a truly community-building event. And so it is – both in terms of bringing together a variety of people to contribute work and the impromptu groups that spring up in the hall when people stop to examine the work.

The show changes every year according to the contributors’ tastes. Last year there were even more photographic entries, whereas this year three-dimensional pieces are well-represented. In a way, this is all part of Eugenio’s conception of the show.

“I wanted it to be open, accepting. This is for the iSchool, by the iSchool. There have been representatives over the years from all programs, from students and faculty. It’s very rare to have something draw from all areas.”

Eugenio, no slouch himself when it comes to art, contributed several fine pieces to the show, ranging from figurative studies to a piece that combines computer design and hand-applied material. All this is, of course, in addition to his work in coordinating and planning the show, which is supported by the department.

“I’m thankful to the contributors,” said Eugenio. “All of us have things on our plates – thank you for taking the time to show!” Reflecting on the show’s contributors, he said “[i]t’s kind of hard to put your stuff out there for public critique. I do appreciate it… Some people do art that’s not for public consumption. Sometimes we make art to beautify the world around us, sometimes it’s just about expressing the world inside.”

The show will stay up through Spring Quarter.

“I really encourage all kinds of work,” Eugenio said. “I don’t want just paintings, sculpture, or realistic art… I want a variety of stuff. This is a low-pressure sort of thing, with no expectations one way or another.”

MLIS Student Betha Gutsche poses with her piece "Mirror for a Primitive Mind". Sculpture, Wood/Metal/Mirror.

"Discovery of the Barbie-King" by S.J. Alexander, MLIS Student.

"Urban Legend" by Dowell Eugenio, Staff. Mixed Media.

Mural created by attendees of the Information, Sanctuary and Silence Conference, May 2004. Designed by Alice Helen Masek. Paper Cutout.

"The Raven's Tale" by Zeila Schmidt, MLIS Student. Weaving - Sheep's Wool.