Multiplicity is an event, hosted and run by the Art Club, that gives students of any discipline the opportunity to showcase their work in a gallery setting. The exhibition is open to art of all kinds, including performances, although there were none at this year’s event. The event, which was hosted on Monday, started at 6 p.m. and lasted until 9 p.m., with awards given at 7:30 p.m. The only guidelines for the event are to submit work that is hangable or presentable, since the show is assembled the same day.
I thought that the event was wonderful; I was able to see these diverse works put in one room. I felt like I could see the artists through their works, and I was inspired by their input into the event. I noticed that Multiplicity was a way to further our involvement in the campus community because the artists were able to discuss their pieces, it was open to everyone, and the United Hispanic Council (UHC) was there, selling horchata and chicharron.
It was not loud with the crowd lingering in the ballroom, but it was not quiet either. The light chatter increased every few minutes as visitors discussed feelings and inspiration that the pieces had brought out in people. This on and off exchange continued for the rest of the event as people pointed to and observed the works surrounding them.
The judges for the event are non-art faculty or staff, who select which piece speaks to them most. The four judges for the event were Dr. Nicholas Boyde, Dr. Kevin Crow, Monica Trevino, and Dr. Yunjae Hwang. Dr. Hwang could not attend, so the judges decided on an artwork for him.
“As I’m kind of judging around, I’m looking as to just what kind of grabs me, which I know is not empirical or scientific, but it just is kind of that emotional effect,” said Dr. Boyde.
The judges had a hard decision to make as I saw them observing the pieces and trying to decipher their feelings toward it. I understand that it is difficult to rank art because by nature it is all very unique. I admire the fact that the art wasn’t judged based on fitting into specific guidelines, but how much work and feeling that the artist put into it.
“There are so many pieces that just speak to you, and you just feel connected to it,” said Trevino.
Although all the works were beautifully and innovatively done, there were awards given to the ones that stuck out most to the judges. Dr. Boyde chose “Jane” by Bug Jackson. Dr. Crow chose “Of the Forest” by Aurora Holland. Trevino chose “Close” by Sean Buckly, and since Dr. Hwang could not attend, all the judges decided on “Allegory of the Cave” by Redji Curry. The honorable mentions were “Ming Dynasty Chinese Fresco Recreation” by Gryphan Mason, Kaiti McGuire, and Kaylea Hawkins and “Superior Never Gives Up Her Dead” by Thomas Buchanan.
I absolutely do think these awards were well deserved, and they were very unique in their designs. I particularly admired the “Of the Forest” piece by Aurora Holland as it was a sculpture of a deer skull made from branches. I favored the honorable mentions because they were impressive, and I feel like a lot of time was put into them.
“Sticks are always such a vile kind of medium. So, piecing them together to make their own imagery, representing the woods, felt right,” said Holland about her piece.
I think that all the students that participated in Multiplicity put great effort into their works and I am glad that they were able to showcase them to the public. This year’s event was very eye-opening, and I truly cannot wait until it comes around again next year.
Becca Gibbins is a first-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Ray Thomas-Lapham
