University Libraries hosts Interdisciplinary Arts Festival

Join 花季传媒 Libraries and the School of Interdisciplinary Arts (IARTS) Nov. 14-18 in Alden Library and Glidden Hall for the 鈥淚nterdisciplinary Arts BFA Capstone Festival.鈥�

The creative work showcases the culmination of six performance and installation projects by students in the new capstone course, IARTS 4710, which enables upper-level students pursuing a BFA in IARTS flexibility to explore multiple areas of concentration.

鈥淭he capstone project is a way for the students to develop their portfolio and take a step toward their desired career path,鈥� Dr. Garrett Field, associate professor of ethnomusicology/musicology and advisor to students in the new undergraduate program, said. 鈥淲e have students who want to explore theater and music, or students who want to compose music for film, [and] for those students, this program gives them more flexibility to explore a variety of areas.鈥�

The IARTS Festival is a celebration of individual student work and an acknowledgement of the collaborative work that enabled a sparking of ideas for final capstone projects. One such collaboration was with Michele Jennings, art librarian, and a team of University Libraries鈥� librarians who introduced a vast array of thought-provoking primary resources.

鈥淸Jennings] led a workshop called, 鈥楢rchival Literacy for Artists,鈥� [and] she brought in lorraine wochna, Carla Williams, Dr. Miriam Intrator, Laura Smith, Greta Suiter and William Kimok. It was such an amazing [meeting],鈥� said Field.

Jennings, Williams and wochna met again with the six capstone students to discuss the logistics of their creative work and to help finalize projects, which meant for Williams, a pianist and harpsichordist, accompanying Aliyah Graham in her capstone project, 鈥淥ne-Woman Cabaret,鈥� on Nov. 15 from 4:30-5 p.m. in the Music and Dance Library in Glidden Hall. 

The five other student performances and installations include:

• Abe Haprian: "The Hedgehog's Dilemma,鈥� a music-video installation about the challenges of human intimacy, Nov. 14 from 4-8 p.m. in room 255 in Alden Library.
• Reagan Bramlish: "We Always Do (Survive),鈥� a music-video photojournalism project about mental health and poverty, Nov. 16 from 10-11 a.m. in room 251 in Alden Library.
• Elliott Nagler:"Biojacked: The Art of Roleplay,鈥� an improvisatory role-playing game designed by Nagler, Nov. 16 from 5-6 p.m. in room 251 in Alden Library.
• Nathan Stanley: 鈥淲orse than Alright,鈥� a live performance of scenes from his play about friends who meet for the first time after one attempted suicide, Nov. 17 from 4-5 p.m. in room 513 in Alden Library.
• Angela Joy Baldasare: 鈥淢oments Alone,鈥� a song installation with headphones for listeners to experience the songs Baldasare wrote, produced and performed, Nov. 18 from 3-6 p.m. in room 318 in Alden Library.

Although this is the first time for the 鈥淚nterdisciplinary Arts BFA Capstone Festival,鈥� the University Libraries鈥� librarians working on the student projects were pleased with the collaborative process and eager to engage with the capstone students again.

Field underscores that sentiment, 鈥淚 am so blessed. They [librarians] are like these angels helping me out here.鈥�

For more information, contact Michele Jennings or Dr. Garrett Field.