Students confused about artwork
By Ryan McPhedran
Mass Confusion
COLUMN, May 5, 2005
If you have looked around IVCC recently, you might have seen many students scratching their head in confusion. This confusion has come from students not understanding some paintings.
It is left to these students to figure out the meanings of these painting by themselves. The problem is that our society has become a lazy one and most of us would rather be told what a painting means with a short description, no longer than a paragraph because then it’s just too much reading, than figure it out for ourselves.
Students might be helped by something explaining the history and composition of IVCC’s fine artwork. “These are books out explaining all the other paintings in the world.” IVCC student Luke Radke says. “I just don’t understand why there aren’t any for our artwork. It just isn’t fair.”
Luke is right; it isn’t fair. A book on the history of IVCC art would be key. It could explain what the paintings mean and what other paintings have been at our fine school.
The lack of knowledge isn’t just with Radke, though; other IVCC students have found themselves confused when looking at the paintings. “I’m considered a pretty deep guy who understands things, and I just don’t get it. I look at these paintings and find myself with a blank mind. I need some answers,” says Hans Carter.
One suggestions might be to have a class that explains the paintings. The class can be called THCIA, or The History and Comprehension of IVCC Artwork. The class would be a huge hit with students and would fill to its maximum capacity, most likely within the first day — maybe.
All we need now is some action from our students and faculty. We need to band together to make this confusion on artwork be a thing of the past.