Page 8-The Michigan Daily- Tuesday, March 17, 1992 A mass of mixed media Students create statements with some wild art Student Art Show Slusser Gallery March 15, 1992 Could a chair be considered art? How about a design for a law office or a pair of sunglasses? At what point does a painting or drawing become a "finished work?" The student art show on display in the Slusser Gallery attempts to answer these questions. Every year the Art School puts up a student exhibit to showcase and encourage the talents of its art stu- dents. This year's show puts special emphasis on exper- imental works as well as decorative arts and industrial designs which are not traditionally included in the cate- gory of "art." Computer art is a relatively new medium that could have the same kind of effect on the art world of the near future as the invention of the camera had on art in the 1800s. One of the best works done in computer graphics in the show was Richard Skip Foley's "Amy/ Back- handspring." Unlike many artists who use computers, Foley com- bines fundamental art principles with the computer medium. His depiction of a gymnast in mid-jump uses strikingly bright complimentary colors, placing the yellow figure of the gymnast against a purple back- ground, suggesting the tension and vitality of athletic movement. Another evocatively-colored piece, though done in the more common field of photography, was "Gany- mede," Kenneth Giles's yellow, green and blue photo of a figure who crouches away from the viewer, seemingly hiding his nakedness. The stark contrast of the yellow form against the murky blues and greens of the background accentuated the figure's embarrassment. Raquel Chapin's mixed media "Struggle" also deals with the figure, in one of the most memorable and in- ventive works in the show. The work consists of a painting of a torso set inside a wooden box. In the upper left hand corner, a box is cut out and a sculpture of a body with no head, hands, or feet struggling to emerge from a shapeless rocklike frame is placed inside. The artist somehow manages to balance the two media to make her work powerful, rather than heavy-handed. The show features two very unique chairs, although neither one seems too comfortable for sitting. "Chair #2" by David Chapman consists of a tall and narrow black frame with a shiny silver cushion. Kristin Walker's doll-sized "Throne Without a Seat" looks like a barbecue with its black grill-like network of iron rods which become sharp and are red-colored at the top. Of the prints on display, some highlights include Brittan Blasdel's untitled whirling black and white web- like tunnels, through which light sifts, creating forms and three-dimensionality. Carrie St. John's untitled work is notable for its broad planes of color and mark- making which jut into each other uncomfortably. The definition of art is broadening. While this is a welcome move, this show seems a bit lacking, in the field of standard, naturalistic art. There are no large scale representational paintings at all in the show, and the only big traditional piece, a drawing featuring the energetic cross-hatching of Gabert Farrar's self-portrait, is located in the corner behind the information desk. Surely the judges could have found some work of merit that deconstructed only one or two principles of Surely the judges could have found some work of merit that de- constructed only one or two prin- ciples of art. Ua Not! Solar flares made the popularity of "Too Sexy" possible in England before the song tainted our shores some three months ago, becoming both a mega-hit and hopefully transient cultural fixture. What was once good fun has now mutated into everyone's "clever" marketing ploy, "Too Sexy for Nightclubs? Try Dave's Trout Farm, singles only." The music cross-over from airwaves to personal ads can only happen in America. Right Said Fred's "dance" album Up is the worst CD I have ever heard! Imagine that overly-muscled guy attempt- ing sincerity to a driving house beat, and you've heard the album before you've opened it. These cheesy, sound-alike songs with absolutely no dance or listening qualities will ruin your day. Right Said Fred's show at Industry is perfectly timed, hours later their "novel-ty" will wear off and they'll be stuck somewhere in the Midwest with nothing but black mesh shirts. Have fun, go to the show armed with large stones and scream, "I'm too sexy for this rock, too sexy for this rock,." and throw. No way I'm disco-dancing. Catch Right Said Fred at Industry tonight for only $5 at the door. They swing open at 8 p.m. -Andrea Kachudas art. However, many of the realistic works of art on display showed deep talent. Two small representational works which are hidden in the far corner of the gallery but should not be over- looked are Eric Arkohler's "Self-Portrait" and Roberto Ty's untitled still life. Arkohler captures his own firm gaze by keeping his portrait relatively loose except for the carefully rendered eyes, nose and mouth. Ty's paint- ing of vegetables and fruit consists of broad Fauvist brushstrokes of color which create a bright, lively sur- face pattern on his work. The student art show, more than anything, serves as a sample of the kinds of art produced by young contem- porary artists. Anyone interested in the future of art should stop by and have a look. The Student Art Show is on display at the Slusser Gallery in the Art and Architecture Building until March 28. Admission is free. - Aaron Hamburer GX + S: y. m V,." ". ;1, RECORDS Continued from page 5 three cuts ("Bud's Theme," "Little Children," and "Days Like These") seem like they were intended for a movie, and therefore aren't meaning- less outside of the film. The rest of the songs explore territory Mellen- camp hints at in his other career as a Rock Star, and most aren't even performed by him. Therein lies the beauty of this al- bum. Mellencamp has assembled a few of the best folk/country/rock musicians for Falling From Grace, exploring the place where all these genres meet and feed off each other. The link between Nanci Griffith, Dwight Yoakam, John Prine and Mollencamp himself (all of whom appear on this record) is much closer than one would expect. A super- group consisting of Mellencamp, Yoakam, Prine, Joe Ely and James McMurtry called Buzzin' Cousins do one track on the album, "Sweet Suzanne," which the Traveling Wil- bury's have nothing on. But Falling From Grace is more than big names performing each oth- er's songs under the leadership of Mellencamp - it's an engaging mu- sical experience. The juxtaposition of genres adds so much depth to this album. Lisa Germano's (Mellencamp's fiddler) incidental instrumentals sparkle, as does Yoakam's version of the Mellencamp-penned "Com- mon Day Man." Pure Jam's "Searchin' For the Perfect Girl" could have been soul-like if the Commitments had done it. The gem of the album, however, is "Nothing for Free," a Larry Crane song performed by Mellencamp which sounds like a Woody Guthrie song. Mellencamp has always been called a people's musician, and to hear him do something very tradi- tional and folky is unexpectedly de- The only track that fails to meet the quality of the rest of the album is Janis Ian's "Days like These." The song sounds relatively artificial and seems deemed to be played over the closing credits of the film. Much like Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do (I Do it For You)," it has a very con- sciously crafted melodrama in its hook and sentiment. Despite this one flawed song, Falling From Grace more than ade- quately demonstrates Mellencamp's awareness of the interlinking of mu- sical forms, his own roots as a musi- cian, and his good taste in musical acquaintances. - Annette Petruso Sir Mixalot Mack Daddy Def American Long live the old school. On Mack Daddy, Sir Mixalot eschews the whole new jack movement in hip hop. NoeBomb Squad-style chaotic wall of sound productions here. Just 13 sparse, fat, urban-assault ready tracks that'll soon be boomin' from jeeps nationwide. Long considered a novelty act because of humorous hits like "Pos- se On Broadway" and "My Hoop- tie," Mack Daddy puts the brakes on the funny stuff big time. These days, Sir Mixalot is as serious as a heart attack. In the tradition of classic old school rap, he kicks rhymes about how he's the baddest ass on the block. On the title cut, as well as the hard-as-hell "The Boss Is Back, " Mixalot disses just about everybody, 5TH AVE AT LIBERTY 761-1700 $3 ODAILY SHOWS BEFORE 6 PM T AUDE DAY TUESDAY MTDENT WITH I.. A dropping some of the biggest boasts since early LL Cool J or Run-DMC. Even though Mixalot is more concerned with having the flyest ridg"# and freshest gear, he does manage to somewhat touch on serious issues. Crack addiction is the focus of "I'm Your New God," and the anti-gun control message on "No Holds'0 Barred" would even get the right-' wingers over at the Michigan Review ° tappin' their conservative little toes. But this isn't to say that Mixalot has lost his sense of humor. Check "Swap Meet Louie," a hysterical ob- r servation on urban consumer culture. He slams those that hawk fake Louis Vuitton and bootleg tapes on the streets to those desperate for some" status at bargain prices. "Baby's got Back" is a funny, if not ultimately sincere, ode to the physical charms of Black women. Sure, Mixalot's nowhere near the science-dropping leagues of KRS-1 or Chuck D, but that's cool with him. He's happy to just kick heavier than heavy beats and rip shit up. There's no real message on Mack Daddy, it's just old-fashioned, mind- less entertainment. Imagine that. --Scott Sterling I The supergroup of folk, Buzzin' Cousins, featuringJohn Mellencamp (tar left) and Dwight Yoakum (far right), plays on the soundtrack of Cougar's directorial debut, Falling From Grace. DO YOU HAVE SYMPTONS OF EXCESSHVE ANXHIETY OR O3S ESSE BEHAVIORS? March 19, 20,21 Make your move... Power Center Call 763-TKTS. MUSKET 1992 $7, $6 students DI have repeated disturbing thoughts I repeat certain actions over and over These thoughts or actions are time consuming I repeatedly wash my hands D I am unable to avoid these thoughts or actions GROUP B * D I have unrealistic anxiety or worry D I have chronic muscle tension D I have trouble concentrating D I feel persistently edgy and keyed up D I often feel trembly or skaky []I am easily startled I have these symptoms more days than not GROPC* DI have an excessive fear of public speaking I get easily embarrased in front of others I avoid going out with others I have an excessive fear of being in public DMy discomfort with others impedes my everyday functioning Europa Europa (R) Alan & Naomi (PG) The Prince of Tides o) If you have two or more of these symptoms in any one of the above groups, you may be eligible for on-going research studies at the University of Michigan. Volunteers are needed to participate in medication treatment studies, which also provide evaluation and follow-up advice, at no cost. * Gp B & C: Women must be st-menopausal or surgically unable to become pregnant. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL SHANNON AT U-M ANXIETY DISORDERS PROGRAM, 764-5349. Present this ad when purchasing a large popcorn and receive one r1' ' 84 Ian '~ PRESENTS i-f A~Y K .5'.- ,z' is e VNIVI% Ck pppp- WRITTEN By JOSEFINA LOPEZ 'ILI %R / gA "55R., - L A - - - U UW T M I I.