Access Excess

I actually saw this exhibit being made when coming to our class weeks ago. Seeing two men spraying the huge graffitti on the wall and wondering what kind of subject would that be involved with. After that I honestly never bothered looking back at it until we got assigned to do another blog about a Columbia spot. I was searching about 4 places around campus and when I really couldn't find anything this exhibit finally came around in my mind. F

ound inside of the 33 E. Congress Columbia Building first floor, which of course is our building w

e have our class session. Access Excess is the name of this student body of work.

Out of everything that has been shown at this current time, this exhibit I think is the one I would honestly stay away from. I was already not interested in it while it was being set up. Media entertainment and creativity isn't my most interest desire, this gallery has brought me to get interested. I do love going to concerts, however not the ones that have such huge mosh pits and insane fans that people would get hurt at, and this exhibit really seemed at first what that was all about. Now after taking the time to look through the displays and how Columbia Students presented their work, I see it as much more.

Main theme was music but not just that, its what people do to prepare, have to handle, the environment around them, their experiences and they found their own way to express it from their art and decide how to show it to others who aren't familiar with the subject or doesn't understand what is so great and exciting, what is the big deal of it all. This gallery gives you a chance to take a look at the artistic view and provide a better view of musical performances.

The whole exhibit really wa

s a very interesting set up, nothing like I've seen here at Columbia so far. Every wall as a orderly section of going to a concert both for the experience and/or preparing the expected to this occasion. It starts out with preparing, they had a suitcase displayed with objects inside showing what they'd bring to the tour. It instantly felt like a

museum exhibit display that I really find pretty amusing. I personally think they would definatly bring more than what they showed but it gave people a general idea.

Next to it on the wall is a Record shop selling band t-shirts, short shorts, hats, CD's etc. Reminded me one of the few concerts I ever been to when they sell a bunch of merchandise with their ridiculous expensive prices. This display though seemed pretty familiar.

The next parts were artistic designs created by students mostly graphic designers making very unique, hip looking posters for bands, flashy colors that light up, something really visual appealing to the eye. The set up was done nicely as they all lined up side by side together creating a collage of great work. Right next to it had a type of sculpture of different kind of records, some designed, some plan, all melted together creating this unique design. I thought of music and how many can mix with another. Some that sound the same can combine and even two completely different songs can somehow when mixed properly can even sound wonderful. The last parts were a huge collection of CD covers that looked like a story of pictures taken at different angles at a concert. The color scheme blended nicely together making the piece flow nicely.

This exhibit really stuck out a lot to me, this hobby is really something a lot of Columbia students take pride in. Its not just a crazy concert/band community like I always thought. It opened my eyes a little bit and realized that this is something that people have great passion for and its very entertaining on top of it. Sweat and tears were probably happening definatly more than once at concerts. People relate to the music, relate to others and share a common sense of appreciation. This gallery very well proved me wrong the most and I couldn't enjoy it any more.

Access Excess exhibit was created by Ayisha Jaffer, Arts Entertainment and Media Management and was held March 4th-April 23rd and sadly is gone by the time you read this.

9th Floor Computer Lab

Columbia's whole campus location in itself I believe is really fantastic. I almost think every building has something to offer for an outsider who wants to experience how Columbia is. A beautiful location in the Chicago loop covered in stores, restaurants and has a very welcoming atmosphere. However since we have to pick one and If someone new who came wanted to learn what Columbia College Chicago was like, the place I would highly recommend for Art & Design

majors is the 9th floor computer lab inside 623 S. Wabash building.

The 9th floor computer lab is one of the most complex floors filled with many things that catch the eye compared to most of the floors inside this building. Opening the door from the s

tairs or coming off the elevator the room you can tell right off that the room is pretty much full of life. There are current students working at the front desk, very lovely people that will be very kind and will help you if you have any questions. You can ask them anything from needing help on a computer program glitch, needing supplies you didn't have time to bring with you to class and even if you need to find a class room.

There are plenty of computers in this huge room where each one you can choose whether you want to use windows or Mac desktop, all the pro

grams you need for your classes are there and ready for you to start working. There are always many students diligently working on their homework.

The computers are in the center of the floor while it is surrounded by two classrooms that share the same floor, no wall separating it. Going through one of the class rooms you get to the cut paper section where students are free to use the free space to cut paper, measure, trace on the light box and work on anything they need to do. Taking care of all the equipment, using it correctly, sharing with other students, making it a fun filled experience.

The environment is very lively and friendly, not once I’ve seen any kind of fighting break out, everyone is respectful for one another and helps each other with giving advice on ones artwork.Once you get used to how everything works you do tend to notice certain cliques with groups of friends like the Illustrators, Graphic Designers and Animation artists, but that’s not to say that’s a bad thing, everyone gets along, you just also notice people get to meet others in the same major early on and connect with them over time having to take many classes with them. They form a very strong bond and they all help one another if one needs assistance. Of course there is a sense of competition but it’s rather a friendly one. Everyone wants to see one another do well.

Harrison Red Line Stop

The Harrison red line stop is the closest by 623 S. Wabash Columbia College Building. The only time I would ever go on the Harrison stop would be to visit my relatives on Rosevelt or go visit Chinatown. I remember the first time I ever been there when they remodeled it from Columbia College and Jones College Prep Students who adopted the el stop through the CTA program. The leave symbols that are repeated down the el actually really look like weed (keep in mind I've never done drugs in my whole life). They badly decorated the platform and pillars with poems of haiku's. I'm no fan of poems or anything and this really didn't help interest me whatsoever. So most of the haiku's made no sense to me and just sounded rather ridiculous.

One was about love and it went "Listen! His sweat working it's way down my cheek is whispering." The poem doesn't even sound finished, and was just so random. I would of loved to see at least a poem that would maybe relate to well I don't know...transportation? Something that got someone thinking while they traveled to wherever they were going. Most of the pillars were vandalized, people were ripping it with whatever object they had with them. You would of thought that we would change poems time to time so something like this wouldn't happen.

The color scheme seems pretty dull. A bunch of yellow, orange, red colors. I really am dissapointed on how Columbia handled this. We had a great opportunity to make something look amazing, yet they somehow made it looks tacky. I hope people will act and give their input to Columbia and maybe we could change the look of Harrison and change it into something greater.

Spongebob Square Pants

Now I'm a hardcore cartoon-obsessed artist. Back in the 90's, as a kid, watching Nickolodeon was like an addictive drug, and I'm sure you can relate.This kid channel aired great cartoon shows such as Rugrats, Doug, Rocko's Modern Life, The Ren and Stimpy Show, AHH Real Monsters etc. The list goes on with memorable shows and I wish I could elaborate more to make you think down memory lane, but this blog as you know isn't for that. There is just one nicktoon that really gets under my skin and its none other than that yellow loud mouth fruitcake Spongebob Square pants. I can't believe how low cartoons have gotten and this cartoon is one of the few that I just cannot sit down and watch for the life of me.

The theme song is just horrifying, you got some irritating pirate man and a bunch of annoying kids screaming spongebob square pants a total of 8 times. Other than that it explains that he lives in a pineapple under the sea. More descriptive it’s called Bikini Bottom at the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Spongebob (Tom Kenny) works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab restaurant, which how is that even possible if they are living under water, but hey it’s only a cartoon show. He’s best friend is a sea star named Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), another so called friend is a octopus name Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) who isn’t too pleased to be around the two. They all seem to get into some random obscure adventure each episode. Somehow people just love to watch them interact and enjoy. This series was the top of Nickelodeon’s ratings chart and maintained a huge fan base. It’s full of wacky humor, silly scenes that appeal not only children but many adults as well. Many say that it sends positive messages about friendship, hard work and loyalty.

There are so many people who just adore this show so much. Having all kinds of merchandise and what not. They are obsessed and I just can’t put my finger on how and why. I was forced to watch the Spongebob Movie when it hit theaters with my younger sister and cousin and it just didn’t make any sense. The jokes were random; I don’t see how little kids really get what’s even going on. Supposedly now there are a lot of dirty jokes my 15-year-old sister told me in the cartoon series. I watch my sister as she still watches the show constantly, bawling out laughing while I stare in confusing. You would think I could understand the humor behind it all since I still watch cartoons but Spongebob just isn't for me. The annoyance level on this show for me is high and I stay away from it at all costs.

I assume that I have to try and be in the shoes of the other people because I know for a fact the cartoon and anime shows I fully love and enjoy, people also hate a great deal. Everyone has their own likes and hobbies and I think people really shouldn't bash others for liking something like Spongebob. I always thought that was the best way, don't argue or fight, just let them be happy with what they enjoy. Your life will be much better with just staying happy.