First year student Ian Kerstetter

In the Interdisciplinary Arts & Media program, one recurring event stands out as a student favorite: the salon. About once a month, we gather in the “Raw Space” (a big black box room that has a lighting grid) to get together and show each other our work. It is a student-run event that we program entirely. Most of the time, students present work – sometimes we ask faculty or other artists.

The salon last Thursday night was unique since it was the first one since we merged with the Art & Art History department. The main difference is that our department now has undergraduate students. Before, our department was strictly  graduate students. We decided for this salon to invite some undergraduate artists to show work too. Two undergraduates and four graduate students presented what they are up to in their practices.

Abena Motaboli, a BFA senior, at the end of her presentation.

The best part about the salons (besides the food – we always pitch in for snacks – gotta love that Trader Joe’s is across the street) is that they are really informal and it’s a great opportunity to hang out. We wanted to create at atmosphere where we could see the process of our fellow artists without it being like a critique. So far I would have to say that we are very successful. We encourage the presenters to bring work in progress, or at any stage really. I’ve seen people sing, perform, bring paper to stomp on – the presentations really run the gamut in a program that emphasizes interdisciplinarity.

First year student Jisun Shim.

This year I am coordinating the salons, so I asked our first-year students to show work. It’s always nice getting to see what our new students are up to. Even though we all see each other a lot in classes and other events, it’s hard to really know what the new students’ practices and visions are like until we get a chance to see their body of work, which the salon facilitates beautifully.

Some of my favorite moments in graduate school have been in the salons, and I know even after I graduate, I’ll be likely to come back and see the latest in student art practices.