Acquiescence represents the pressures we face to be normal within the classroom, the office or on campus as they are always increasing. Sometimes being different is a good thing. We need to learn how to have a voice our opinions and ignore our social self-­‐perception before this thing we call “normal” overwhelms us.

Reaction Statement

Acquiescence was designed to acquaint viewers to the idea of being different among peers oppose to mirroring social norms or struggling to fit in. Being the only audio piece in a small, enclosed room, it quickly grabbed the attention of spectators. The multiple interviews running at the same time created a brilliant conglomeration of noise. No single interview could be heard thoroughly. One reaction I received was that the subtle answers to the interviews demanded onlookers' attention and lead them to look closer in attempt to see which person's answer could be heard.

A hindrance to consider was the fluctuating, unreliable connection to the wi-fi. My piece ran a little slower/choppier than I would have liked and because of this I removed a few interviews from the piece to improve the quality. Perhaps if I were able to reenter my work, I would run it locally so it's success is not at the mercy of the Internet quality.

Color is the key element that brings the world around us to life. Each color symbolizes various feelings, emotions, virtues and values that we all associate ourselves with on a day-to-day basis. I want to show how these characteristics can be “brought to light”, on canvas, through the combination of specialized paints and illumination, revealing the meaning behind red, orange, yellow green and blue. This will give the person interacting with the piece a unique sense of what True Color means to them as an individual. The reason I’ve presented my piece in this format is to create a sense of how the interaction between sight and emotion are interpreted differently to us all.

Reaction Statement

The overall outcome of my piece, True Color, was a success. An element that I feel made it successful were that it was interactive and creative. In the process stages, I wanted to challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone and utilize different mediums that I normally wouldn't use. In the beginning, I looked into using invisible inks to create the effect I was looking for. This quickly became something an unusable tool, seeing how the color choices for the inks were limited. So I looked into acquiring paints, which in the end worked in my advantage.

The UV light reactive paints, on canvas, worked better overall. The audiences' reaction to my piece was very positive. However, if I weren't there to explain how to interact with my piece, most people wouldn't have understood it, seeing how lengthy my artist statement was. I would've have also liked to find a way to make my all the painted text more uniform and neat. In conclusion, my execution was very simple, but the personal interaction and effect that was created is what made everything successful.

Boundaries, both physical and virtual, manipulate our perception of space, scope, and scale. Expanse into digital territory further impacts our senses of confinement and potential. The way we view the world changes as our boundaries take new form.

Reaction Statement

As a sculpture major, I chose to work both 3-dimensionally and with projected images. Employing digital media and electronics was my biggest challenge. I also struggled initially with how to make the fence posts appear to be freestanding, as well as how to address the confines of the projection. In the end, the integration of the projected image and real space was only partial and may have been improved with different material choices.

Throughout the semester, I was interested in seeing the development of ideas and projects made by my counterparts in graphic design. Though we were starting from different places, as we progressed our work seemed to have more commonalities than differences. Ultimately, our pieces integrated to form a cohesive exhibit, despite beginning from opposite vantage points.

Everyone has an opinion, and a different perception on the world. But each of these little opinions, form and mold one big picture of how the world really is. I have created a "blank slate" chalkboard, jigsaw puzzle that each person can interact with. Each person can draw whatever they want on a puzzle piece and interlock one piece with another to create the big picture. The creation as a whole doesn't have to convey a specific image, it is how you perceive what you are seeing. "

Reaction Statement

When I was a freshman walking through Folk Hall looking at the art work on the walls, I never thought I would one day have a piece of art work hanging up on display. I was fortunate enough to get this opportunity as a senior. As a class we came up with the theme for the show, title, marketing, and our own personal pieces that would be on display. I struggled coming up with an idea for my personal piece, all I knew is that I wanted to step away from the computer, and make my project interactive. After some research, I generated the idea of making a large interactive wooden puzzle that would hang on the wall. The puzzle would consist of 64 pieces. The trick was going to be making the puzzle pieces perfectly fit together. So I had the privilege of using the new laser cutter here at school, to make perfect puzzle pieces.

On installation day I had a few minor flaws, but nothing major. Once it was all set up and ready to go, I had many questions swirling in my head; Are people going to draw on them? Are they going to steal my pieces that I worked so hard on? Are the magnets strong enough? Once I walked into Folk Hall on the Monday after setting up my piece and I saw people drawing on them, all my worries went away. I was thrilled so many people interacted with my piece, and drew many different things. If I could do it all again, the only thing I would change would be the shapes of the puzzle pieces. I would have created 64 different puzzle pieces, because not everyone put the pieces together correctly or moved them around to different spots. I truly enjoyed working with all my fellow classmates to put together a successful show.

According to Psychology Today, first judgements often occur in a fraction of a second. Automobiles, a common status symbol in the United States, can change the perception that those around them have of the driver regardless of its validity. Mahala J. Bloom explores the misconceptions of these vehicles as accurate symbols of stature, and the surprise when one realizes, in a single fleeting moment, that the person behind the wheel of the shiny red mustang next to you is a 75 year old granny rocking horn-rimmed glasses.

Reaction Statement

Over four hours of footage and approximately 8 or 9 hours of editing were devoted to this piece, including a tragic computer malfunction that forced the artist to restart halfway through editing, regardless of constant and consistent saving habits. Despite difficulties, the artist, Mahala J Bloom, is pleased with the final results of First Impressions, and was delighted with positive responses from those that attended the show, her peers, and her mentors.

First Impressions was met with positive reviews by audience members. Most viewers were drawn in by the voyeuristic nature of the piece, despite the occasional nervous comment about privacy. Curiosity drove those that were watching to watch just a bit longer, to see if drivers would do something strange in their cars, whether it be lighting up a cigarette, chewing gum, talking on a cell phone, or dancing to their favorite song on the radio. It became apparent that the public is just as curious about the intimate, quiet moments in the car next to them as the artist has been for some time.

Mahala would like to continue the piece at a later time, convinced that warmer months could offer better footage, avoiding reflections from rolled-up windows.

Hypnagogic sleep is the stage of consciousness just before restful sleeping. Characterized by a prismatic presentation of bursts of colors, patterns, and flashes. This state of mindfulness may unleash a new reaction from person to person, and in some cases is never remembered by the person as they slip into unconsciousness.

Reaction Statement

Spectrum was a new and unique experience for me; allowing me to open my eyes to the world of exhibitions. Being in an exhibition was completely a new experience and helped me grow out of my shell a bit in terms of how I see fine arts exhibitions. What was really great was seeing how everything came together from the first few awkward days of planning, to the day of the show when we finally saw our work as a whole. Being part of a design team and helping make this show a real deal really allowed me to just go for it and hope for the best. I was elated with how our show turned out and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it all.

As human beings we are incredibly visual creatures. Yet we don't see with our eyes, instead we are constantly perceiving with our minds. Because of this our minds can be tricked into seeing objects that may at first glance seem to defy the rules of perspective. Recognizing the role that perspective plays in our spacial cues is key in understanding how we react to our environment and interact with one another.

Reaction Statement

One of the many reasons I chose Graphic Design as my major over any of the fine arts was so that I could avoid having my work up on display. So coming into this class I was slightly intimidated by the fact that I would have to create a piece of art that would be displayed publicly.

I have always found optical illusions fascinating and wanted to create something or attempt to create something that could in essence trick the mind. So I started my brainstorming process by researching different forms of illusions and how they affect our perception. Through the process I learned that human beings' perception plays a far greater role than one might think in our everyday lives. Illusive and mind-blowing illusions are almost an entirely separate form of art that I had barely even touched the surface of.

During my research I came across the work of Felice Varini, a Swiss artist and architect who creates geometric perspective-localized paintings. I instantly fell in love with his work and decided to create an anamorphic artwork myself, except with tape and typography.

Initially I ran into some issues with the projector and the space that I was given. But after making some compromising tweaks to my design and altering my initial concept, I was thankfully able to resolve the issues and start taping my letterforms up.

Overall the process was very time-consuming and in hindsight I would've probably approached certain things differently. However, once it was complete I was surprised at how well it came together. Having my work on display was not nearly as bad as I had imagined, it was actually quite exhilarating. In fact the whole show was incredible and if I had to do it all over again I most certainly would.

My artwork explores the way we, as individuals, perceive time. If time is typically perceived as past, present, and future, does the present really have any time lapse? Can we perceive a motion in time when each frame is perceived as motions occurring simultaneously? Through 12 multi-media sculptures, I push the question of time and its relationship to the present, past, and future within a second of time. Each sculpture is a representation of 2 frames from a 24 frame per second motion. What are your views when the world of philosophy and reality collide? How do you view time and motion?

Reaction Statement

As soon as our class decided on the theme of perception I knew I wanted to do a piece on how we perceive time. With a background in Time Based Media Studies it only seemed natural. I had many challenges during the completion of this project but finding a way around those obstacles has made me a better artist and has helped me to think outside of the well-defined box which is graphic design.

I really enjoyed working with my classmates to make this show possible. We may have disagreed on themes and names for our show in the beginning but in the end it all came together and we pulled off a really great show.

Light, also called luminous energy interacts with objects to create a perception. This interaction can create an awareness of what is being depicted. I have created an interactive light installation that allows the viewer to engage with luminous energy and the abstraction it creates."

Reaction Statement

Advanced Graphic Design...? I had know idea what I was getting into when signing up for this class. Well, little did I know that this class ended up being one of my favorite classes. Working together with fellow seniors to create a show from start to finish was a great experience. Once the theme of perspective was chosen I knew I had many options and could take my piece in any direction I wanted to. After many brainstorming sessions with family members and roommates, I came to the conclusion I wanted to create a light installation. I wanted to create a large light box with different size PVC pipes that could each captured the light in different ways. The difference in each of the pipes was the patterns and color the light projected through them. I had multiple difficulties and road blocks during the production of this piece, but who does anything perfect these days.

After months of preparation for the show as a group and as an individual, I was very happy with the success the show had. Positivity and curiosity were actions that viewers had while interacting with my piece. Everyone wanted to know how the light was manipulated in each pipe. Overall the show was a great learning experience. It allowed me think outside the box and work with a group of students to challenge ourselves individually and as talented graphic designers.

The idea behind this project is to help people understand how blind people understand color. There is device that they have made that reads colors and makes a different piano tone for each color on the wheel. Studies have showed that blind people are about to remember which tone goes with color. I goal is to see if people with all their senses are able to catch on to what tone goes to which color.

Reaction Statement

Over all the idea behind the project was a great idea. When it came to building the box to presenting the piece many people and myself felt that it could have been done better. Several people that I had talked to at the show got the idea behind it, but though that with using six colors per set that it was to long for them to remember and understand what tone goes with which color. My thought is that I did not think that was true just because it shows how much we rely on sight more then our other senses.

Things that I would have changed is to not build a booth. Building the booth sounded like a great idea at first, but when putting it together it did not come out that way I originally envisioned. I think if it was projected onto the wall it might have be presented clearer to the viewer.

When a image is manipulated through enlargement and cropping, your perception may be changed or distorted. Interpretation varies from person to person when viewing abstract images. Inspired by Rorschach's Inkblot test, this interactive piece uses both aspects to reveal the real image

Reaction Statement

I used my strengths in coding to create an interactive game that plays with the viewers visual perception and interpretation through imagery. If I could change something I would have used more abstract images to keep the viewer guessing, which may have lead to a more engaging piece. In terms of technology, I was not fully aware of the problems that I would face like having to reset the site every time the site went down due to internet connectivity, and making sure the twitter feed updated and worked efficiently.

Around the world many cultures use hand gestures that have many different meanings. Hand gestures that seem harmless in America could mean something really offensive in other cultures. To avoid misunderstanding, people should familiarize themselves with the meanings of the most common hand gestures used in other parts of the world.

Reaction Statement

In my opinion, I thought our show Spectrum was a huge success. I thought everyone pulled his or her own weight to make the show something great. Putting on a show was really different from anything I have ever done and I thought it was a lot of fun. We all had to work together to get the postcards, posters, and the website ready to advertise the opening of the show. Everyone had something unique and different from the usual two-dimensional graphic design pieces they design. For my piece in the show, I explored more with photography. I felt many people enjoyed reading everything about each hand gesture and what they mean in other parts of the world.

Being a part of this show really helped me learn different working habits and solutions to different types of problems. In the beginning I changed my piece multiple times and while working with the collage frame I purchased, I came to the conclusion that I did not like the frame and had to think of a completely new way to display the photos. Overall I thought the Spectrum show was really great and everyone who came to the show really enjoyed it.

Looking into a crowd everyone seems normal right? But when you look deeper into who they actually are it can be a scary place. This piece is about finding that inner self whether it be anger, crazy, insane or something completely different.

Reaction Statement

At the beginning of the semester I had no idea what this class would entail. When we were told that we were going to be putting on the show I became excited to actually be able to do something with my hands. Coming from a fine art background in high school to practically no hands on experience in college I was itching to do put something together. After the long (long) process of choosing a theme and a name for the show I really started to think about perception and what it really meant. My current social experiences while going through this process helped me come up with the idea that not every person is who they seem to be on the outside. I was able to use all my creative skills to put this piece together that I thought was a huge success. This whole show was an amazing experience and I thank everyone who was part of it and everyone who supported us.

We all have various behaviors as human beings that coexists in what is considered to be our behavior spectrum. Here I have decided to visually depict both my obsessive and impulsive behaviors through expressive line. The black lines are repetitive and symbolic of my OCD traits whereas the colorful lines are random and energetic which can represent my ADHD side. These two primary elements interact with one another as I visually express the ins and outs of their relationship through time.

Reaction Statement

Originally the piece was intended to be primarily two dimensional due to the concept. The piece is more about mark making and brush work as a form of expression. I wasn't sure if cutting and shaping it would add or take away from the idea. I later decided to carry through with the sculptural approach, focusing on how to enhance the marks that were already made.

The audience found the architectural elements to be intriguing from a distance as well as close up creating quite an impact and overall response that was positive.

Everybody attempts to live their lives to the fullest. Coming to the United States from another country allowed me to take a step back from the daily grid and allowed me to see two different cultures as a whole. There is a difference on what we think, what we assume, what we see, and what we actually know about another culture or country.

Reaction Statement

When we came up with the name spectrum for our show, nothing else would have been more interesting then to show my spectrum of two different cultures I lived in. We all do very similar stuff like drink coffee. I learned that something that looks normal to me is a bit curious to people that came to the show, because they never saw or experienced it.Living in two countries for a long period melts two cultures together, and sometimes I find my self expecting knowledge that is common in Bosnia to be common in the US. My intention with showing images from Bosnia on the left and the US on the right was to show a glimpse of another culture, but it all reality there are more similarities then differences. I am happy with topics I was able to cover. National sports, rural and urban areas, as well as the differences in coffee. Things I would have like to have added was the time of the 90's in Bosnia as the war was so significant for the country and everybody's world in Bosnia got skewed. Unfortunately not many of these images are in public domain. Overall though I am very happy with my Spectrum project.

Have you ever looked at someone and judge them by the cover then opening up that book to see what lies on the inside then the outside view? Well you will find in this art piece that everyone has a perspective view of things, objects, and appearances especially people. My idea is to show two perspectives views of how people view me and how I view myself. I wanted to focus this project on how people views things from a different angle. I hope that you enjoy this work piece and really evaluate yourself before you evaluate someone else.

Reaction Statement

My art work for the spectrum art show "Mines and Yours" was a personal piece. The concept behind this piece was my desire to make a statement about how people view others that surround them and how we view ourselves on the outside and inside. Since my car accident of April 2009, I've have observed people's looks and was judged. After still healing from that experience, I've have grown to see myself differently. I thought that this was a good opportunity to express my feelings towards my peers, family members, and friends.

My reaction to my project was that it turned out really great. I feel that I have achieved my main goal and focused on what I wanted to accomplish. From molding my own face with silicone with the help of a sculpture major, Katherine Schultz. After we tried out the first layer of wax after the silicone set in the plaster base, I knew that this would be A creative exploration which turned out very realistic. The Process itself was very fun and different for myself because I had never dealt with making something like a mold of a body part or knew how to make a mold of anything. Also, the process of carving wax was very interesting because it was new to me. My only problem was the wax itself would break a piece of a letter off while trying to carving out a word. This new experience has allowed me to grow as a person and an artist.

Spectrum is overlapping sequences of thoughts and opinions in our exploration of varied but related ideas. Sixteen seniors will create this exhibition by pushing their creativity and stepping away from what is comfortable. This vast subject has enticed us to explore it further from our own angles and points of view. Perception can be clear and up front or defy reality and leave you guessing. How will you perceive our spectrum of work?