14 February 14, 2006 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY Arts & Entertainment New library exhibit explores the body from inside out the “freaks and geeks,” but how medicine has JULIE SAGER developed over hundreds of years, and feel the Retriever Weekly Editorial Staff thrill that emanates from even the most awful of procedures and experiences—the US’s first When I first heard about the Library successful triple amputation, for example, or Gallery’s new exhibit, Extraordinary Bodies: the image of a girl born with no legs carrying Photographs from the Mütter Museum, I herself with strength and confidence on her practically leaped out of my seat. I’d heard many own two hands. a tale about the Museum’s medical oddities, One I found particularly touching as and having more than a bit of a fascination Max Aguilera-Hellweg’s photograph depicting with the weird and macabre, I eagerly awaited nothing more than a prosthetic leg, complete the day that the exhibit would open so that I with sock and shiny dress shoe, standing alone could engage in that favorite pastime of red- in a shadowy corridor. The caption explained blooded Americans: gawking at weird stuff. But that the owner had only used this leg once—to my sweet dreams of conjoined twins and oddly- walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding placed tumors were somewhat interrupted day. This daily rejection of conventions of in a way that first left me bewildered, and normality, whether by choice or mishap, is one then quickly hoping for more. While Chang of the innumerable complex themes running and Eng do make an appearance and there rampant throughout Extraordinary Bodies. are more than a few tumors, this exhibit is Take 15 minutes out of your day and go infinitely more complex—and amazing as a to this exhibit. In two circles around the gallery, result—than I could have ever expected. Way, I ran the gamut of emotional reactions and left WAY more than just a photographic freakshow, thinking and reinventing my ideas about what I Extraordinary Bodies engages in a fantastic, considered life. This exhibit is visceral, honest, thorough exploration of the crucial but often scary, beautiful and awe-inspiring, and I very unacknowledged relationship between medicine highly recommend the experience. and photography. As long as there have been cameras, there On Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 4:30 p.m., the have been doctors using them for medical [Photo courtesy of mbc.edu/arts] Library Gallery will host a lecture by Mark purposes: as records of the symptoms of disease On the brain: Photographs like this untitled project by Steven E. Katzman are on display. Alice Durant, professor of photography in the or defect as well as anatomical reference. It is in Department of Visual Arts at UMBC, who will this way that the display begins: photographs of photographer William Wegman makes an by crushing its skull. There are also some discuss the photographers in the show, as well successful operations, birth defects, war injuries appearance in this set—in Chang and Eng strangely beautiful photographs, especially of as other photographers whose work illustrates and victims of terrible diseases. Yet many of the Get Together, Wegman and his Weimeraners the anatomy of the human skull. Whether wax the continued fascination of the contemporary subjects, especially unborn children, are free are seen in shadow behind a plaster cast of anatomical molds, preserved slices on slides or artist with the aesthetics of the human form. A from all of these—the exhibit includes many the once-famous conjoined twins. In another, in jars, or whole skulls filled with flowers, there reception will follow the lecture. fetal skeletons showing the various stages of one of the dogs inserts its head into a display is a haunting sense of peace and beauty in their The Gallery is open Monday through growth and development. Also, while many of a human skull and spine, giving it the symmetry. Friday, 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday until of the photographs are from the early days darkly comic appearance of antlers. The latter Diseases and deformities I’d never even 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. of modern medicine as we know it, others is placed in stark contrast to the inexplicably heard of are on display in this exhibit, but Admission is free. For more information, visit were compiled by professional photographers scary, almost Hitchcockian imagery of Scott this is not one intended only for shock value; www.umbc.edu/arts. in recent years. This juxtaposition creates Lindgren’s Instrument of Destruction, which for every Cephalothoracopagus monosymmetros a complex but fulfilling range of goals and aligns the shadow of a fetal skeleton near the (Google that if you’re bored), there is another Julie Sager is the Arts and Entertainment emotions. frighteningly oversized teeth of the forceps that practically bursts with non-traditional Editor for The Retriever Weekly. She can be Bizarrely enough, well-known which can be used to remove it from the womb beauty and optimism. Viewers can see not just contacted at [email protected]. Match Point best Woody Allen film in years KATE NUNLEY Retriever Weekly Staff Writer job, he is essentially dependent on the Wiltons and keeping Chloe happy. Match Point is a captivating film because At a stuffy party given by the Wiltons, the characters are not inherently good. They Chris meets a sultry American girl playing each have blatant flaws and desires. Morality ping-pong. He blatantly hits on her, only to does not factor into their decisions. discover she is Nola (Scarlett Johansson), Tom�s Directed by Woody Allen, Match Point is fiancé. Nola and Chris are the most attractive his best effort in years. The story, set in London, people in the movie, so naturally they are drawn follows Chris Wilton (Jonathon Rhys-Meyers), together. Nola is a struggling actress who, like a young Irish man who grew up poor. He was at Chris, benefits from the Wiltons’ wealth. one time a pro tennis player but quit because he Chris and Chloe marry, but it is clear could not compete with the top players in the that his intense attraction for Nola has not sport. Chris begins teaching tennis lessons at an gone away. Chris obviously regrets his decision upscale tennis club in London. to marry Chloe when he learns that Tom has Chris believes that life is determined by broken off his engagement to Nola. Chris and luck. To him, life is a series of random events Nola meet by accident (or is it luck?) at an art out of our control. Indeed, luck plays an exhibit some time later. Chris’s marriage does important role in the movie’s plot. The opening not deter him from pursuing Nola. shot of the movie is a tennis ball that hits the At first, Match Point appears to be [Photo Courtesy of BBC Films] top of a net. It hangs in mid-air while Chris’s following the plot of a standard romance Sex Appeal: Nola (Scarlett Johansson) at her most seductive. voice-over informs us that luck decides which movie and then seems to deviate to that of a side of the net the ball will fall on. If it falls on standard tragedy. However, the movie defies character Chris start off as a likeable, average sexual relationship with Nola to end, but he the wrong side: defeat. the conventions of both. I won’t go any further guy and become more and more despicable as also values his comfortable lifestyle with Chloe. One of Chris’s students, Tom Hewett into the plot, which after establishing the affair the plot progresses, leaving the viewer feeling If he divorces her he loses not only his wife, but (Matthew Goode), befriends Chris. Tom moves into unforeseen territory. sorry for both women harmed by his duplicity. also his financial security and his home. introduces Chris to his extremely wealthy Scarlett Johansson’s Nola is sex appeal Throughout the affair, the scenes often Match Point shows humanity in a way not family. Tom’s sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer) personified. As the affair progresses, her shift abruptly from Chris and Nola’s steamy often seen in mainstream cinema, which makes falls for Chris. He begins dating Chloe, who emotions become chaotic and wild. Despite adulterous activities to Chris’s rather sterile for an extremely interesting movie. You’ll be on clearly wants to marry him. Chloe even gets being an accomplice to infidelity, she is a likeable home life with Chloe. Plenty of screen time is the edge of your seat, waiting for one of the her rich daddy to secure Chris a job at his firm. character. Emily Mortimer also delivers a great given to Nola and Chris’s use of blindfolds and many bad guys to get their comeuppance. While Chloe is not as immoral as most of the performance as Chloe, who is determined massage oil, while Chris and Chloe are rarely other characters, she still uses her father’s money to get what she wants, even if it makes her seen exchanging anything beyond a chaste kiss Kate Nunley is a staff writer for The Retriever to get what she wants. Once Chris accepts the despondent. It is interesting to watch the main once the affair begins. Chris doesn’t want his Weekly. Talk to her at [email protected].