March 2014
ARTS
Page 20
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The Honors Herald
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Urban Whimsy: A Perspective of NYC Briana Vecchione, Contributor
New York City is often seen as a contrast between harsh industrialized capitalism and a destination for those with dreams, spirit, and aspirations. Thus, much of Urban Whimsy is depicted via dichotomy, emphasized through its structured black and white composition. I, like many others, was drawn to the glamour of New York City from a young age. Growing up, I always heard the city to be unequivocal in every sense of the word, but I never truly understood this concept until I made the decision to move here to pursue my studies. I found myself thriving on the energetic and stimulating environment I had suddenly entered, relying on it for two specific effects: exposure and opportunity. It is this feeling that I wish to project in my collection. Urban Whimsy is my artistic tribute to the transformation that university undergraduates experience. As young adults, it is often times our first opportunity for true independence and we begin the journey wide-eyed and hungry. I have noticed that this spirit is often forgotten or abandoned with time, illustrated by the stoic faces of regular subway commuters or Wall Street bankers. In this way, Urban Whimsy is a preservation of youth and spirit within a city aged by its history and culture, for in a place as unforgiving as New York City, it is the whimsy that we must remember to recognize and internalize. This notion is interpreted in countless ways throughout the collection, be it the majestic nature of a building standing resiliently against the puddled streets, a weekend art fair by the river in the late summertime, or a stranger in a neon zoot suit meandering into a subway station. 1. An Attempt at the GoPro 2. Just One Shot 3. Curiosity 4. Summer's Cheer 5. Unexpected Receiver of a Midnight Snowfall 6. Glass Vanity 7. First Flight Against the Winds 8. Resilience
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