Photo exhibit merits attention

Walking into Wilder Hall, the average student does not expect to see a colossal photograph of a sunflower, especially one covered with bold white scratches. This piece, senior Daniel Romano's "I Hate Yer Mom 1999," is just one of the works in the Student Photography Show at Wilder. Composed of about 130 pieces done by students in the entry level photography class taught by profesor of photography Pipo Nguyen-Duy, the pieces hang on the first floor of Wilder, as well as in the two main conference lounges.

Junior Pauline Shapiro said, "Many of the students whose work is shown did not know how to use a camera, develop film or print before this semester, which is amazing considering the quality of everyone's work." The pieces are a combination of studies from the mundane to the absurd and whimsical, and are very professional and thought-provoking in nature.

In the past, the photography exhibit was put up in Fairchild Chapel, or even in the photo domes, but this time they had some pull from junior Brie Abbe, a member of the Wilder Student Art Committee, as well as a student of Nguyen-Duy's. Along with Natasha Rothchild, Abbe and company hung thge photographs on the first floor of Wilder because of the high amount of pedestrian traffic. For the maximum exposure, there was really no better location. Abbe, Nguyen-Duy, Shapiro and another advanced student, senior Daniel Romano, spent all night hanging the pictures up on Wilder's first floor.

The photography show has occurred nearly every semester under the tenure of Nguyen-Duy. Composed from the first nine weeks of the class, the work shown is relatively raw; it is the work of beginners learning how to photograph intensively. The work is not only for show, but it allows the photography students an opportunity to learn the craft of visual presentation. Nguyen-Duy said that it is a collaborative effort and he works with the students throughout the semester.

The exhibits by the students make the observer realize that more work goes into creating a photograph than simply catching the right moment. Simply operating a camera is not enough for the average viewer. Students also used different developing techniques to achieve artistic ends. Juniors Alexander Maly and Brendan Ravenhill chose to use more than just the photograph, but to incorporate different mediums as well. One of Maly's exhibits is an American flag pieced together with tape. Ravenhill created a white, fence-like structure around his photograph, which depicts a young man standing on rocks at the beach. Of course, a photograph does not have to have things added to it tomake it work. Abbe's "White Girl" is composed of three rather large pieces that are depictions of three separate women. What makes the piece striking is the white powder poured on them. The exact meaning is ambiguous, but they are striking in composition and subject nonetheless. Another intriguing work is Elizabeth woman's seductive parts. This piece makes you look, especially as these photographs demonstrate the parts that many men are attracted to.

While these are just a few examples, the pieces show a wide range of interest and skill, as well as subject and composition. Some are plain shots of people and friends, such as Chana Joffe-Walt's series of everyday people standing against a white background. Others are more complex in nature. This exhibit blurs the line between the natural and the posed. Melissa Caldwell's series entitled "Strippers" makes the observer wonder whether she actually went to a strip club to take these photos, or very meticulously set up this scene. As a whole, some of these shots are clear and precise, while others explore absurdity and the surreal. This show emphasizes that nearly everything is possible in the realm of photography, and is definitely worth the check out.

Wilder than you: The student union hosts the Student Photography Show this week, until Dec. 15. This show is designed as practice for beginning photography students. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)