
It was a chance for Stony Brook artists to show off their true talent at the MAMA Art Exhibit in the Union on Halloween night. Accompanied by the “RockYoFace” electronic show, it was a night of true expression that filled the room from all corners.
The display was intriguing from the moment students walked into the dark tent with glow lights attached to its black, curtain-like “walls.” It really gave the exhibit a cool, urban feel. This feeling continued from the tented entrance to the gallery. The bright lights and the electronic beat pumping in the background from the show in U Café made it appear as though you were at an underground gallery in New York City. The art was well-spaced throughout the room, making it really easy to get around and see every work of art on display.
“The presentation’s really impressive,” said Christine Bilfinger, a 20-year-old Spanish major, as she pointed at the multiple works placed on a sort of gated frame.
However, it was not just the presentation of the art that struck the viewers of the gallery that night; it was the art itself that made its impression.
“It’s very nicely presented,” said Erika Ocampo, an 18-year-old biology major. “There is a general theme of the entire exhibit and each piece has a deep, underlying meaning.”
That theme was fear, as was stated on the art exhibit’s Facebook page. The meanings emerged when pieces were viewed, one by one. The presence of immense detail and artistry was astounding, which allowed the artist to invoke such emotion and fear. You could see the expression on a drawing’s face that really made you stop and stare and think about the image staring back at you. It was this stirred-up emotion that caused several of the viewers to have their favorites of the night.
“It’s pretty diverse,” said Adam Meier, a 22-year-old environmental humanities major. In addition to saying that the show was “organized well” and that the artists were “very talented,” when asked to say which work was his favorite, he said it was “Feel,” a piece that had drawings of expressions all that surrounded a mirror in the middle that forced you to see yourself amongst all the other faces.
Verna Solomon also had her favorite. The 17-year-old biology major said that she really liked the piece “Rhythms” because it was “looking directly at you.”
All in all, the gallery was a success. It great portrayal of what Stony Brook has to offer as a place with a lot of diversity allowing each and every person to express themselves in their own way. Through this exhibit, it allowed everyone, artists and viewers alike, to express themselves.