Boxing provides foundation of 'Art Slam' student discussion
Ashley Bennett
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
The first Art Slam at Southeast Missouri State University was held Thursday Oct. 22, 2009 at the River Campus, starting at 6:30 that night free to the public.
Many associate an art slam with a poetry slam, events that are both artistic in nature, but actually very different. A poetry slam is a competition at which poets recite their poems and are judged by members of the audience. In this case, the art slam showcased two very different professors coming together to battle facts about the different artists and artistic pieces giving their personal take on each. "It really tapped into the atmosphere and energy of a community of scholars teasing out issues of artistic expression, symbolism and meaning-making." Said Professor Rhodes.
Joel Rhodes, professor of history, battled facts with Marc Strauss, professor of dance, while both dressed in clever boxing gloves adding a more dramatic effect of slamming each other. The rules for the Art slam are simple, while the two slammers go back and forth, if you agree or disagree with their statements you are allowed to shout out, get involved and state your opinion. Crowd participation is strongly encouraged.
"I spent a couple of hours familiarizing myself with the artists and their works (a crash course in art history really)." Replied Professor Rhodes on how he prepared for the art slam at Southeast. It was also cool to see so many students interested in art, and as Homer Simpson would say "sampling all the meats in our cultural stew."
With this art slam being a first time event for many students there was a great number of people in attendance. "I came because I don't know what to expect" stated student Jessie Montgomery. A common case for a lot of the students, for some this was an extra credit opportunity and for others just pure curiosity and free will brought them out on the rainy night.
"I've been to poetry slams and that's why I came, I'm looking for some intense action going on" Paul Davidson stated relating this art slam to a poetry slam he has attended in the past. When asked, many students revealed that they came to see something interesting and hear different views on the art in the museum.
Some of the artist that caused a lot of discussion amongst the crowd and slammers were Elaine De Kooning, Chuck Close; also Andy Warhol was a big discussion during the art slam along with radical Feminist Lynda Benglis. Interesting topics and information were brought up by the slammers and the audiences, making the art slam a night up unexpected discussion.
Many associate an art slam with a poetry slam, events that are both artistic in nature, but actually very different. A poetry slam is a competition at which poets recite their poems and are judged by members of the audience. In this case, the art slam showcased two very different professors coming together to battle facts about the different artists and artistic pieces giving their personal take on each. "It really tapped into the atmosphere and energy of a community of scholars teasing out issues of artistic expression, symbolism and meaning-making." Said Professor Rhodes.
Joel Rhodes, professor of history, battled facts with Marc Strauss, professor of dance, while both dressed in clever boxing gloves adding a more dramatic effect of slamming each other. The rules for the Art slam are simple, while the two slammers go back and forth, if you agree or disagree with their statements you are allowed to shout out, get involved and state your opinion. Crowd participation is strongly encouraged.
"I spent a couple of hours familiarizing myself with the artists and their works (a crash course in art history really)." Replied Professor Rhodes on how he prepared for the art slam at Southeast. It was also cool to see so many students interested in art, and as Homer Simpson would say "sampling all the meats in our cultural stew."
With this art slam being a first time event for many students there was a great number of people in attendance. "I came because I don't know what to expect" stated student Jessie Montgomery. A common case for a lot of the students, for some this was an extra credit opportunity and for others just pure curiosity and free will brought them out on the rainy night.
"I've been to poetry slams and that's why I came, I'm looking for some intense action going on" Paul Davidson stated relating this art slam to a poetry slam he has attended in the past. When asked, many students revealed that they came to see something interesting and hear different views on the art in the museum.
Some of the artist that caused a lot of discussion amongst the crowd and slammers were Elaine De Kooning, Chuck Close; also Andy Warhol was a big discussion during the art slam along with radical Feminist Lynda Benglis. Interesting topics and information were brought up by the slammers and the audiences, making the art slam a night up unexpected discussion.
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