Experience world from other views
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“Justice renders to every one his due” — Marcus Cicero
Photo by Steve Bird
Experience world from other views New photo exhibit opens in gallery By MARK MARTINEZ Staff Writer
On Wednesday night, Feb. 3 the Los Medanos College Art Gallery hosted an opening reception for, “Going Places: Photographers who Travel.” Students, faculty and many others viewed the exhibits opening reception for the artists involved. The exhibit featured four Bay area artists traveling on the road and taking pictures of what they saw. Artists featured made travel the main inspiration for the taking of their photos. Photos ranged from a variety of places such as Rio De Janeiro, El Salvador, Paris, Burma, Spain, New York City and Iceland. With each and every picture taken by the photographer, the viewer is given a glimpse into where the artist has traveled and given a taste of what they had experienced on their travels. From landscapes, pictures of houses clumped together, a cheese stick on the beach in Brazil, to the Metro in Paris; each photographer has taken their photography to a whole new level. One of the art pieces that stood out the most and was by far the biggest piece was, “NYC/ WTC” it was shot by Stephen Bird and done in 2006. The piece was a panoramic view from the middle of the World Trade Center’s South Tower and its surroundings. You were able to see the statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, just to name a few. This huge apparatus and the surrounding pictures inside immediately drew in viewers. One of the most fascinating things about this piece was that when you stood in the middle of the apparatus you could actually hear your voice echo. One woman who was viewing the art piece was a native New Yorker, she found the apparatus to be exquisite and was even able to pinpoint certain locations on the pictures such as an ice cream shop she used to frequent. Another one of Bird’s photographs that was also panoramic and drew in viewers was his, “Dragon Vs. Carp,” taken in the Naguya dome in Japan. With his panoramic views nothing is left out and leaves viewer amazed. Monica Denevan another artist who’s photography was hosted at the LMC art gallery had an impressive collection of photos from Burma. She captures the local people of Burma and their environment, using only black and white photos adds an added depth to the pictures she took. One of the photographs she took that made viewers take a second glance was, “Arch” shot in 2008, in the photo we are shown a villager in Burma on the ocean sand pulling in what looks to be a handmade boat. The picture was in black and white and it really makes the photo stand out just like her others.
REVIEW
Photo by Monica Denevan
Top Photo: Titled Paris Metro. Photo directly above: Titled Arch taken in Burma 2008. Pat Mazzera, her piece, was one of the most interesting photographs; “Cheese Stick” is exactly what it sounds like, a closeup of cheese stick with a bite taken out of it and being held in someone’s hand. The setting for the background is a beach in Brazi with patrons walking by. Last but certainly not least are the photographs taken by Nicholas Pavloff who traveled throughout Asia and Europe. A photo that really stands out is his, “Gondola Fero.” Taken in black and white the photo highlight’s the detail of the front side of a gondola in Italy. Students walking around were commenting on almost every art piece saying how cool each photo was, it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying it. Overall, viewers seemed to enjoy the many varieties of photographs done by the four bay area artists. There is still time to go see the exhibit, “Going places” it lasts until March 4th. The Los Medanos College Art Gallery is open Tuesday s, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Gallery admission is free. For more information call (925) 439-2181, extension 3463 during regular gallery hours.
Photo by William Rogers
Students admire the new photography on display.
Movies to help you recover from V-Day
By ANDREA NGUYEN Staff Writer
Are you single this Valentine’s Day? Has your cuddlemonkey been hanging off someone else’s tree? Watching romantic comedies doesn’t help to ease the loneliness or pain. All it does is provide unrealistic expectations. If we’re going to be bitter, we should at least be honest about it. Try watching some of the following films to put you in a proper anti-Valentine mood. n In the Mood For Love (2000) – In 1962 Hong Kong, neighbors Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chow realize their respective spouses are cheating on them — together. The two cheaters leave for Japan, while the remaining husband
REVIEW
and wife comfort each other. Bashful Chow begins writing on the side, while demure Chan practices what she will say to her husband when he returns. Get swept up by the luxurious soundtrack and the artistic way director Wong Kar-Wai tells the simple story. This movie breaks the formula of the classic rom-com by giving visuals priority over acting and removing the comedy part altogether. A film of shadows and suggestion, In the Mood For Love is cinematic eye candy. 98 minutes. n À la folie…pas du tout (He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not) (2002) - This film poses the idea that perhaps love and sickness are not mutually exclusive. Angélique (Audrey Tautou) falls head over heels for a doctor who, apparently, is not treating her,
the way a mistress deserves. When the scorned Angélique finally has enough, this movie’s clever editing turns the story on its head. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not is the very antithesis of the romantic comedy. Watch this film for the horror and sheer insanity, the trippy artwork, and the fully-grown French man who cries. 92 minutes. n The Children’s Hour (1961) – Based on the play by Lillian Hellman, the story revolves around the themes of innocence and selfishness. Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn play two teachers who work at an all girls school, where the lie of an unexpected and malicious villain rocks the small campus. MacLaine is unrecognizable as a soft-spoken, vulnerable school teacher, while Hepburn succeeds in
being both tough and sober. The emotions expressed in the last half hour of this play are more real than any that can be found in a romantic comedy. For those, who enjoyed the taboo drama of Doubt and Atonement. 107 minutes. n Mary & Max (2009) – A claymation that is both adorable and gloomy. In 1976, lonely 8-year-old Mary in Australia finds a kindred spirit and pen pal in middle-aged Max, who lives in New York. The two hit it off and exchange encouraging letters and chocolate goodies via snail mail. Adam Elliot’s Mary & Max touches on many woeful, mature subjects, including alcoholism, sex, neglect, and death, making this film utterly inappropriate for first dates and children’s birthday parties. Rather than focusing on romance, this
film celebrates the losing side of the human experience, as well as friendship’s securing power. 90 minutes. n Frida (2002) – World-famous artist Frida Kahlo is known for her brutally intense paintings. In this biographical film, we find that her life was similarly difficult and mesmerizing. Watch Salma Hayek play Frida as she experiences a rib-smashing trolley accident, her husband Diego Rivera’s multiple affairs, and cameo appearances by both Josephine Baker and Leon Trotsky. Besides submerging your senses in furious color, Frida reminds us that we cannot have sweetness without bitterness. This is a film of empowerment and pain. It does not end happily, but it does manage to give us courage, while Valentine’s Day does not. 123 minutes.
M E D A N O S
C O L L E G E
Quotable
E X P E R I E N C E
Features
F R I D A Y ,
F E B .
5 ,
2 0 1 0
4
“Justice renders to every one his due” — Marcus Cicero
Photo by Steve Bird
Experience world from other views New photo exhibit opens in gallery By MARK MARTINEZ Staff Writer
On Wednesday night, Feb. 3 the Los Medanos College Art Gallery hosted an opening reception for, “Going Places: Photographers who Travel.” Students, faculty and many others viewed the exhibits opening reception for the artists involved. The exhibit featured four Bay area artists traveling on the road and taking pictures of what they saw. Artists featured made travel the main inspiration for the taking of their photos. Photos ranged from a variety of places such as Rio De Janeiro, El Salvador, Paris, Burma, Spain, New York City and Iceland. With each and every picture taken by the photographer, the viewer is given a glimpse into where the artist has traveled and given a taste of what they had experienced on their travels. From landscapes, pictures of houses clumped together, a cheese stick on the beach in Brazil, to the Metro in Paris; each photographer has taken their photography to a whole new level. One of the art pieces that stood out the most and was by far the biggest piece was, “NYC/ WTC” it was shot by Stephen Bird and done in 2006. The piece was a panoramic view from the middle of the World Trade Center’s South Tower and its surroundings. You were able to see the statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, just to name a few. This huge apparatus and the surrounding pictures inside immediately drew in viewers. One of the most fascinating things about this piece was that when you stood in the middle of the apparatus you could actually hear your voice echo. One woman who was viewing the art piece was a native New Yorker, she found the apparatus to be exquisite and was even able to pinpoint certain locations on the pictures such as an ice cream shop she used to frequent. Another one of Bird’s photographs that was also panoramic and drew in viewers was his, “Dragon Vs. Carp,” taken in the Naguya dome in Japan. With his panoramic views nothing is left out and leaves viewer amazed. Monica Denevan another artist who’s photography was hosted at the LMC art gallery had an impressive collection of photos from Burma. She captures the local people of Burma and their environment, using only black and white photos adds an added depth to the pictures she took. One of the photographs she took that made viewers take a second glance was, “Arch” shot in 2008, in the photo we are shown a villager in Burma on the ocean sand pulling in what looks to be a handmade boat. The picture was in black and white and it really makes the photo stand out just like her others.
REVIEW
Photo by Monica Denevan
Top Photo: Titled Paris Metro. Photo directly above: Titled Arch taken in Burma 2008. Pat Mazzera, her piece, was one of the most interesting photographs; “Cheese Stick” is exactly what it sounds like, a closeup of cheese stick with a bite taken out of it and being held in someone’s hand. The setting for the background is a beach in Brazi with patrons walking by. Last but certainly not least are the photographs taken by Nicholas Pavloff who traveled throughout Asia and Europe. A photo that really stands out is his, “Gondola Fero.” Taken in black and white the photo highlight’s the detail of the front side of a gondola in Italy. Students walking around were commenting on almost every art piece saying how cool each photo was, it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying it. Overall, viewers seemed to enjoy the many varieties of photographs done by the four bay area artists. There is still time to go see the exhibit, “Going places” it lasts until March 4th. The Los Medanos College Art Gallery is open Tuesday s, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Gallery admission is free. For more information call (925) 439-2181, extension 3463 during regular gallery hours.
Photo by William Rogers
Students admire the new photography on display.
Movies to help you recover from V-Day
By ANDREA NGUYEN Staff Writer
Are you single this Valentine’s Day? Has your cuddlemonkey been hanging off someone else’s tree? Watching romantic comedies doesn’t help to ease the loneliness or pain. All it does is provide unrealistic expectations. If we’re going to be bitter, we should at least be honest about it. Try watching some of the following films to put you in a proper anti-Valentine mood. n In the Mood For Love (2000) – In 1962 Hong Kong, neighbors Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chow realize their respective spouses are cheating on them — together. The two cheaters leave for Japan, while the remaining husband
REVIEW
and wife comfort each other. Bashful Chow begins writing on the side, while demure Chan practices what she will say to her husband when he returns. Get swept up by the luxurious soundtrack and the artistic way director Wong Kar-Wai tells the simple story. This movie breaks the formula of the classic rom-com by giving visuals priority over acting and removing the comedy part altogether. A film of shadows and suggestion, In the Mood For Love is cinematic eye candy. 98 minutes. n À la folie…pas du tout (He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not) (2002) - This film poses the idea that perhaps love and sickness are not mutually exclusive. Angélique (Audrey Tautou) falls head over heels for a doctor who, apparently, is not treating her,
the way a mistress deserves. When the scorned Angélique finally has enough, this movie’s clever editing turns the story on its head. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not is the very antithesis of the romantic comedy. Watch this film for the horror and sheer insanity, the trippy artwork, and the fully-grown French man who cries. 92 minutes. n The Children’s Hour (1961) – Based on the play by Lillian Hellman, the story revolves around the themes of innocence and selfishness. Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn play two teachers who work at an all girls school, where the lie of an unexpected and malicious villain rocks the small campus. MacLaine is unrecognizable as a soft-spoken, vulnerable school teacher, while Hepburn succeeds in
being both tough and sober. The emotions expressed in the last half hour of this play are more real than any that can be found in a romantic comedy. For those, who enjoyed the taboo drama of Doubt and Atonement. 107 minutes. n Mary & Max (2009) – A claymation that is both adorable and gloomy. In 1976, lonely 8-year-old Mary in Australia finds a kindred spirit and pen pal in middle-aged Max, who lives in New York. The two hit it off and exchange encouraging letters and chocolate goodies via snail mail. Adam Elliot’s Mary & Max touches on many woeful, mature subjects, including alcoholism, sex, neglect, and death, making this film utterly inappropriate for first dates and children’s birthday parties. Rather than focusing on romance, this
film celebrates the losing side of the human experience, as well as friendship’s securing power. 90 minutes. n Frida (2002) – World-famous artist Frida Kahlo is known for her brutally intense paintings. In this biographical film, we find that her life was similarly difficult and mesmerizing. Watch Salma Hayek play Frida as she experiences a rib-smashing trolley accident, her husband Diego Rivera’s multiple affairs, and cameo appearances by both Josephine Baker and Leon Trotsky. Besides submerging your senses in furious color, Frida reminds us that we cannot have sweetness without bitterness. This is a film of empowerment and pain. It does not end happily, but it does manage to give us courage, while Valentine’s Day does not. 123 minutes.
