A ritualistic approach to photography comes alive in an Ohio State art class this quarter.
Art 531, an upper-level photography class, dedicated autumn quarter to organizing and setting up its own exhibition in addition to learning color photography.
The class, after deciding on the theme of “ritual,” broke up into various committees. The groups, which range from publicity to reception planning, each have a part in making sure the show is a success.
“Ritual” will have its opening reception on Nov. 16. The entire event will be completely funded by the 20 students in the class.
Robin Assner, class instructor, said she came up with the idea for the exhibition after recalling her own desires in her undergraduate classes.
“When I was an undergrad, I wished there had been a class providing this experience. Now they can be confident and know how to set up an exhibition,” she said.
Assner, a recent OSU graduate, said it would be a positive experience for other students to come view the show.
“We are all peers – fellow students, fellow artists. It will be really interesting to see how 20 students interpret ‘ritual,’ ” Assner said.
Lauren Emond, a senior in photography, agreed the different interpretation of the theme will be one of the highlights of the show.
“As a class we chose ‘ritual’ as a theme. We all have different interpretations on what this is and what it means to each one of us. It will be an eclectic show. It will also be interesting to see how everyone’s work comes together as a whole,” Emond said.
Emond said her teacher has been inspirational throughout the process, but at the same time has allowed the class to be independent in what decisions it makes about the show.
Besides promoting the show through press releases and postcards, the students chose an off-campus gallery.
Stephanie Zimmerman, a junior in photography, said they chose Art Resource, a space in Grandview, for a reason.
“Off campus makes it more of a reality. When a show is on campus, students cannot park, and it is in a school building,” Zimmerman said.
She said that people should come out and take the time to admire the work.
“Personally, the sad thing about art is that it really just gets made for artists. Art doesn’t reach a wide audience. The people that are going to galleries go often,” Zimmerman said. “I would like people to come who don’t frequent these kinds of shows, solely to break the mold. I would like the experience of seeing people like that come.”
Ardene Neslon, an associate professor in arts and the interim chairwoman of the art department, teaches a photography class of her own and said all art majors are required to put on a final show before graduation. They are required to display their art and lay out and publicize their show.
Nelson also said student shows are a good thing because they let other students admire the works in different ways.
“These are visual communications. Art can be political and emotional – you never know what is going to happen,” Nelson said.
“Ritual” will run Nov. 15 through Nov. 20 at Art Resource, which is located at 815 Grandview Ave.
