Oh City, My Classroom

Its really rare when someone has anything praiseworthy to say about the school, or the selection of courses, or anything that we as students have to deal with on a regular basis. However, I have something to tell you all, something that was truly incredible and every single person would be remiss if they didn't take this single course. It's entitled Art in New York. The idea may sound somewhat pedantic, but it's really an incredible course. Enough blind praise, let's get to the point, shall we?

This course meets every Sunday morning around 11:00 am. The instructor is Cris Cristofaro, and let me tell you, if there is one course you should take with Cristofaro this is it. Sculpting is from what I hear a great class, but in this one you get to fully appreciate other people's work in ways you've never imagined. First let me tell you about Cris. He's one of the really cool teachers in this school. An Artist in his own right, Cris has been teaching sculpting and collage here for a nice long time. He is of Italian descent and is one of the nicest, friendliest people you will ever meet. High praise cannot be sung enough to do the man justice. Besides being a really great guy, Cris is also a very knowledgeable man from a historical point of view. Throughout the semester, he will fill you in on all major periods of the twentieth century. From Sanford White to Jackson Pollock this man knows his stuff.

As if this wasn't enough encouragement, the class is generally scheduled to hit every major art exhibition occurring in the City at the time the course runs. Unfortunately, we missed the Jackson Pollock show at the Museum of Modern Art, but we hit virtually every other one. Here's a sampling of the stuff we saw:

1. DWAIN HENSON@THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART. - This show was really wild. Dwain Henson was a sculptor who started at the age of 13 or so, and proceeded to work until he recently died in his mid 80's. His sculptures were of real people. They showed people with all their bumps, contours, and individual forms. The sculptures were extremely realistic in appearance. The really shocking ones were of a motorcycle wreck, and a police officer who looked like he was standing on guard. He was so realistic that we were waiting for him to reach down and pick up his walkie-talkie. It was really cool.

2. PABLO PICASSO: CERAMICS@THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.- This show was simply wonderful. I mean, everyone knows that Picasso was a great impressionist painter, but what about the fact that he was a sculptor? Or that he painted these incredible ceramic pieces? Each piece was lovingly decorated. The ceramic pieces ranged from jugs and vases to pots and plates. He did everything from make the ceramic pieces to resemble animals, women, and wondrous little bullfights. Just as he was really prolific with his paintings, so too was he with ceramic pieces. I think there were several thousand on display. It was really fabulous.

3. ISAMU NOGUCHI MUSEUM/SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK. There is a small Greek community on the west shore of Queens. Near there is a wondrous museum dedicated to the work of the celebrated artist, Isamu Noguchi. Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese-American Artist who lived a highly conflicted life. A life that revolved around his love of America and his love of

Japan. Isamu was a sculptor who specialized in rock. As such, the majority of pieces give you the impression that you are wandering through a magnificent rock garden. Mostly because you are. A good portion of the museum is outdoors. This explains why it's only open six months out of every year. Besides Sculptures, Isamu also created set pieces, Parks, playgrounds, and magnificent public works. His work is viewed all over the world. If you have not studied this man, do so-soon! The Socrates Sculpture Park is a place where artists erect and exhibit sculptures of all types for six months. Then the exhibit is removed and a new batch is started. It was a really neat place.

I firmly believe that there's an art lover in virtually everyone, and to not display it at least once in your life is to deny the imagination you were born with. I loudly and vigorously applaud the Dean's Office for allowing this class to exist, and fervently hope that it continues to do so. There are just some experiences in life which are too precious to ignore, and learning about yourself through expression and art is definitely one of those said experiences. Thus I implore you once more to take the course when its offered again. I guarantee you'll love it.