As a freshman in college, I was more open to ideas, absorbing what people told me and not necessarily questioning it. Today, as I walk with more confidence and rely on my own opinions rather than allowing others to impose them upon me, I can’t help but remember something someone said to me. The Wang Center, they said, was a waste of space because the sponsor, Charles B. Wang, didn’t want classes to be held there, only special events. At the time I did not contest this statement, but now, more than ever, I think about what the Wang Center does for me and I can only disagree.
It’s a place of calm, a place to relax, listen to the running water, and admire the architectural aesthetics. “Reinterpretations: Art Healing Space IV” is ideal then, because it is a tribute to the Wang Center as an architectural marvel. The exhibit encourages viewers to discover and recapture through personal translations, the true essence of the Wang Center. The exhibit is open from Apr. 9 until May 11, and is presented at the Skylight Lobby, Zodiac Gallery, and the Garden. It is curated by Sunita S. Mukhi and A.C. Frabetti, and the faculty advisor is Nobuho Nagasawa. The featured artists include Alton Falcone, Shannan Hayes, Alan Goodrich, Veronica Pena, TJ & Yana KM, Jin-Kang Park and the Asian-American E-Zine Photographic Art Collective.
Going back to the argument that the Wang Center is a waste of space, I could not disagree more. I personally believe that the Wang Center is able to preserve its sanctity because a lot of traffic is avoided by not holding classes there. An academic institution cannot have every inch of its campus swarming with the hustle and bustle of learning and hormone-raged madness. Anything different is novel. It is nice to have a place where the ancient culture meets the contemporary modernization of culture.
The structure of the Wang Center is very futuristic. The smooth surfaces and restricted color palette give it a sleek, modern, elegant demeanor. The addition of the water fountains is also interesting, namely because of its therapeutic effects. The sound of the water, when it is turned on, drowns out all other sounds. But despite what one might expect, it is soothing. Again, the water is just one of many parts of the Wang Center that juxtaposes opposites- water is symbolic of nature, which we consider wild. But the entire appearance of the Wang Center is anything but untamed.
The exhibit consisted of a collection of photographs of the Wang Center, a choice of medium which I thought was highly appropriate. Photography, because it has only been in existence for a short while when compared to other media, and because of its use of an external device to obtain artistic expression, can be considered contemporary. It also takes a lot of creativity and style to take photographs with intention. In this exhibit, the large-scale of the pieces worked to its advantage, especially because the Wang Center is built with a feeling of openness and freedom, where a lot of wide space is available. The photographs were manipulated well, giving viewers a nice, new perspective to what the Wang Center is or could be.
“Reinterpretations” is stylish in its presentation. Catch a glimpse of these contemporary masterpieces before it closes. Come to the Wang Center, enjoy a meal, sit by the Garden, and appreciate the Wang Center for its sculptural modishness.
2008 Woodie Awards
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