The Tripod

On Thursday, April 23, the Broad St. Gallery was loaded with excited and curious students for the openings of two Studio Arts Theses. Seniors Max Ballardo and Chelsea Naftelberg displayed their semester-long explorative works of art in what seemed like a professional museum exhibit. The authentic Peruvian snacks available at the event, created by Ballardo's mother, who flew in from Peru for her sons end-of-school activities, added a personal touch to the opening, helped to create a homey and comfortable atmosphere for the unexpectedly large group of students, faculty, and other adults in attendance.

Naftelberg, this year's Studio Arts Presidential Fellow, created a 30 canvas installation entitled "Homage to the Days." The canvasses were installed on the wall in calendar format to represent each day in the month of April. Naftelberg notes that her piece "began as a response to Josef Albers' Homage to the Square series but over time took on a life of its own." Naftelberg was inspired by Albers' "dedicated serial format" which she saw as a metaphor for "the unfolding of time." For this Homage, Naftelberg matched Albers' colors exactly in her work.

In her artist statement, Naftelberg wrote, "We start every day with the same materials, but each day turns out differently." She intended to portray the unpredictability of life through her textures, swirling lines, and colors. Although the canvasses were displayed in a set, each individual canvas could easily stand alone, as each painting's unique texture, composition, and color were aesthetically pleasing and intriguing. Naftelberg's extremely proud mother, Donna Weinstein, used the analogy of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly to describe her daughter's evolution as an artist. She said, "I knew Chelsea was creative, but had no idea she was an artist," and credits the Studio Arts department for helping Naftelberg to develop beautiful talent and a mode of self-expression.

Ballardo's thesis, entitled "My Lined World", revealed "how I think as an artist," noted Ballardo. "My Lined World" consisted of three large drawings, each one created with thousands of little lines. The art, however, was much more than simple drawings. Each piece was created on two pieces of clear acetate, which were hung from the ceiling. A projector shot light through each piece of artwork, creating a shadow on the wall.

Ballardo's work was inspired by David Macaulay, who also drew with many small lines, but the light-through-acetate display was his own. It "adds depth and perspective" said the artist, who also noted that it was difficult to hang the acetate to get the shadow proportions exactly as he wanted. "The end product is what makes it," he said. "It took a lot of experimenting, but came through. I'm so happy to be done." Ballardo defines himself as a shy person, and his art revealed important aspects of his life that many had not previously known. The drawings were of a tree, a child being held, and Machu Piccu (in Peru). He noted that art doesn't have to be commercial, that it can be part of you, and that he was happy to be able to express himself through his art.

The professional nature of the theses presentations was extremely impressive. Minimalist gallery design and laminated artist statements revealed no sign that this was the work of mere undergraduate college students. Professor of Fine Arts Joe Byrne, and Naftelberg's thesis advisor said that Studio Arts theses included "professional exhibition training," and that the theses process included learning "standards for mounting shows."

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