Have You Heard?
I, Erin Semple, the arts and entertainment editor, have always been impressed by how talented our art and theatre departments are.
This month, the art department presents “Letterism;” it opens Thursday, October 4, at 6 p.m. in the Blackbridge Art Gallery. This exhibit features the foundation of several writing forms from all over the world, and it will examine how letters and signs have been applied in avant-garde movements in literature and visual arts.
All kinds of art have always fascinated me, and this new type of art show is captivating. “Letterism” started in France and then moved into other parts of the world. This exhibit is the first international exhibit during my time here as a student. I know very little about this new type of art, but from what the art department has told me, it should be really impressive. I can’t wait to see how these talented artists are going to bring writing and visual images together.
I have never been able to draw well, but I enjoy interpreting art. These works of art would be interesting to interpret, because not only do you have to interpret the letters, but you also have to interpret the illustrations. Since these works have letters and images, they will have more meaning to the viewer, especially if the viewer enjoys looking at visual images and writing and applying these to his or her life.
The art shows usually have big turnouts. I expect this art exhibit to have a bigger turnout than usual, because this show is supposed to be amazing. It is a rare opportunity to see these works for free. These works have come from all over the world to stay at our university for a month, so I would take advantage of this opportunity and see the exhibit.
The theatre department presents “A Beggar’s Opera” from Thursday, October 4 through Sunday, October 7. This production is the theater department’s first big production of this year.
“A Beggar’s Opera” is a modern musical, which opens with prisoners from an 18th century London prison entertaining a crowd at the hanging of a highwayman. During the play, an amusing love triangle develops. Mr. Peachum finds stolen goods and takes advantage of the idle members of his organization to make a profit off of the stolen property. The Peachums are disappointed to realize that their daughter, Polly, has married the highwayman, Mr. MacHeath. Then the play takes the audience through a series of disloyal, comic, and enticing actions, which are centered around MacHeath and his two wives, Polly and the jailer’s daughter, Lucy Lockit. A chorus of all the characters concludes the play on a happy note.
“A Beggar’s Opera” was the first musical written; John Gay wrote it in 1778 in England. This Italian opera is set to popular tunes that fit its plot. It inspired “Cabaret” and other famous musicals and is a major piece of western drama.
Unfortunately, very few people have heard of this satire. It will introduce the students here at GC&SU to a wider range of theater. The experience of seeing this play should spark the interest of students to see more of the unknown plays. The play should also raise some questions about morality and what was accepted then compared to what is accepted now.
I highly recommend taking advantage of these two events. “Letterism” will allow you to see a new type of art and works from all over the world.
“A Beggar’s Opera” will give you a taste of our talented theater department and entice you to want to see the other performances that they will put on this year, like “Julius Caesar.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 28 2001. Filed under Opinion.
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