CSI: YTB Zine

There's a student run gallery in downtown Providence called Expose, and sometimes parties or other get-togethers will be held there along with exhibitions. I went for a release night called "Color" for the RISD/MICA Why the Beef? magazine.

Spatial Dynamics: Identity Shift

One of our assignments for Spatial Dynamics was to create an item that, once placed on our body, would create a different or new perception of who we were (thus causing an identity shift). Paper was the only allowed medium. I chose to craft a shayla-inspired headwrap out of a translucent tissue paper material.

I have always been drawn to headwraps simply for their aesthetic qualities, which I understand becomes a complicated matter due to the connotations tied to hijabs and burqas in our world today. On one hand, I am afraid of not only offending those who use headcoverings as part of their cultural and spiritual background, but also being mistaken for someone who actively promotes the shayla's symbolism. On the other, I can not truly fight my desire to wear headwraps every day purely as a clothing accessory. Additionally, I also find myself worrying about drawing "too much" attention wearing a piece that has such strong Middle Eastern heritage (conflicting with my obvious Asian appearance). To me, choosing to wear a headpiece is a heavy and deliberate choice that carries a lot of history, and therefore do not feel comfortable wearing one yet without thoroughly understanding its context.

My goal for this assignment was to combine my self-consciousness and Asian ethnicity with our society's views on headwrapping practices for women in order to embody a new identity.

Pictured above and below is my final piece. I made a prototype first out of wire and tissue to quickly find the measurements of my head and explore what types of drapery would be possible through the material. My challenge was in finding structure and "fullness" in paper due to the thinness, and decided to create a stiff structure in front of the mouth as an abstraction of shayla scarf forms.

The main structure fitting around my head is made of bristol board. The flower detail is made from folded tissue paper covered in an acrylic paint wash.

These are preliminary sketches separating out the headwrap components and measurements/angles of my head.

This here is a short clip demonstrating how the material traveled through the air.

CSI: Eat the World

Click here for great times at this food fair!

CSI: International Karaoke Night

Unfortunately, I do not have any recordings of the talented international students' singing. Definitely got some photos though!

CSI: Body Talks

Attended another new club's first meeting!

Body Talks is a new student health club focused on understanding one’s body through movement and sharing individual discoveries. Elise, club president, founded the club to create an “active, supportive environment” allowing students to share about themselves and learn new perspectives.

For the first meeting, Elise led a discussion with the theme of the body and climate change, such as how to prepare for the winter cold. Other planned themes include sleep patterns, sustainability, and clothing appropriate to one’s form. Stretching together while offering health suggestions created an intimate yet comfortable environment, allowing each member to reflect, remember, and re-learn about themselves. Ideas exchanged easily in a stream of consciousness. Elise described how living in RISD taught her the importance of scheduling a daily ritual to pause, breathing or stretching to gather one’s thoughts.

If you’d like to learn about health, physical and mental wellness, or even share some discoveries of your own, you can join Body Talks in the Thompson House on Mondays from 7:30pm to 9:00pm.

CSI: Cream of the Crop

Here's a student exhibition I visited.

Exposé hosted an awesome opening night for their new gallery showing of the month, Cream of the Crop (the Cherry on Top)! Students viewed paintings, photographs, sculptures, even a computer installation of other RISD students with friends. Live models displayed textile pieces, walking and talking amongst other students. The gallery offered crostinis, cheese, fruit, and beverages too; RISD Radio was also there to provide a fun atmosphere with its soundtracks.

Student curators Lauren, Daisy, and Emily have worked hard to put together Exposé’s first opening night this year. “It’s really exciting to see everyone’s work,” says Emily, “if the student wants a venue, we make it happen.” For Cream of the Crop, the small but dedicated team curated pieces from a variety of majors, taking submissions as well as inviting friends to exhibit their work to give a nice overview of RISD art to start off the school year.

Cream of the Crop will be showing until November, so come take a look! If you are interested in being a part of the gallery, Exposé welcomes any help at expose@risd.edu.

CSI: Taiwanese Independence Day

Celebrated my heritage with the MiT club! Came for the Asian food, stayed for the pretty lights. 

CSI: Dinner Party

Here's the last event of this busy Saturday.

CSI: RISD Radio

There were three events this Saturday, but I'll post my description and photos of the second event, RISD Radio's first club meeting, here.

 

     




Last Saturday, RISD Radio ran their very first meeting with a lively discussion about their plans for the year. Sitting around in the Ewing House, students excitedly bounced ideas off each other, including music collaborations, DJing possibilities, playlists, and audio libraries. The club is currently building their website, which will provide a streamlined opportunity to listen to the eclectic sampling of student music. Along with making and sharing music, RISD Radio plans to host debates, interdisciplinary critiques, current news, lectures, and much, much more. The club hopes to set up a studio space with recording equipment soon, and is calling all music lovers to help with the start up!


 RISD Radio’s mission is to “make music officially a bigger part of RISD,” as club founders Lela and Elie state. The two are determined to bring out RISD’s vibrant music culture, which they feel has been left in the background of campus life for far too long. As seniors, they recognize how music often serves as inspiration for art and are working hard to provide future RISD students. “I want to leave a legacy,” says Lela.

The club is planning their launch party next month with themed installations in various rooms of the Ewing House, so keep an eye out!

RISD Radio is more than happy to hear your suggestions at  radiorisd@gmail.edu. You can also listen to recent sounds of RISD Radio here.

CSI: RISD Needles

This year, I write and take photos for RISD's Center of Student Involvement as my work study, so I get to visit a lot of fun student programs while I'm documenting. Here's my first event, the knitting club of RISD. Click here for my blog post on the CSI website.