Photo by Eva Gallagher (CFA’19).
Still, this back and forth flow of dialogue is an essential ingredient in art. Message Received Here at CFA, art and the world intersect and interact every day. They must.
Communicating. It seems easy enough. In this issue, we give voice to expression. Whether it’s personal or political, traditional or experimental, artists respond and question and wonder and Just say it, right? But, amidst chaos, act. From a genre that bridges classical and fantasy, to community impact opinions, and differences, it’s hard to know that’s sprinkled in fairy dust, to courses that pronounce art’s place in leading if words are read, if sounds are heard, conversation, to movement that amplifies expression, let’s indulge imagination, let’s believe in possibility, let’s be open to ideas, and let’s if expression is seen. inch closer to understanding.
IN THIS ISSUE volume two, issue three
01 Message Received 02 Language of Movement 03 For the Love of Trombone 04 Space Exploration 05 Letting Art Speak
06–07 Spring & Summer Events 08 ARTiculated Changemakers 09 Bringing Neverland 10 Classical Gaming 11 Color Matters 12 Overdrive
Boston, MA 02215 MA Boston, 855 Commonwealth Avenue Avenue Commonwealth 855 2 SPARK VOLUME TWO, ISSUE TWO 3
Dancer, choreographer, and educator Yo-El Cassell first discovered the power of movement at the age of three; partially deaf, expression through movement opened a new world of communication for the toddler. He has since dedicated his life to helping others discover this language of movement for themselves. More than just a series of steps, movement is a practicum that can help artists locate a sense of accessibility within them. “College students, especially those pursuing art, are figuring out their place in the world the same way movement thankfully allowed me to find when I was three,” he says.
Last fall, Cassell joined the faculty at the College of Fine Arts (CFA). As Assistant Professor of Movement, he consistently shares this lesson with his mentees and students. During his first semester at BU, Cassell quickly learned that CFA students are hungry for accessibility through movement, but he simultaneously discovered their love On the stage (and in the classroom), of movement came with an additional sense of fear.
Yo-El Cassell approaches accessibility “Movement,” he says, “is an art form that is often associated with through movement. dance. And while dance elements are within the movement world, the importance of movement practice is how it allows movement by Denae Wilkins (COM'18) in any shape or form, be it gestures or physical responses, as an expressive channel for our inner thoughts and imagination. It’s about embracing self through movement concepts that can For the stimulate, promote, and highlight. The key to movement practice is engaging both the ecstatic self and informative self, treating these two selves as equal partners. One doesn’t dominate the other.”
Cassell firmly believes his place in CFA is an important one, and he is thoroughly appreciative of the opportunity to work with artists Love of on the cutting edge of self-discovery. “Now, more than ever, it is important to change their perception of themselves as artists, to help them lift the boundaries they may have set for themselves in the past and to allow movement practice to be an expressive channel to navigate through those self-implied boundaries.”
Cassell challenges students to answer the question that has guided Trombone most of his career: “How does movement inform my life, and most importantly, how does my life inform movement?” And for himself, Cassell is determined to answer this: “How can Don Lucas + a global following. movement be incorporated in CFA’s curriculum to inform Anna Whitelaw (COM'19) theater and music and visual arts?” What does it mean to be musical? For some people, that it’s a burlesque, blaring, Dixieland instrument. Developing this personal connection with movement during his musical expression is something they can’t quite “But in reality,” says Lucas, “we trombone players formative years, Cassell takes a more conceptual approach to his describe. For Don Lucas, Chair of the Department of possess an agility and a finesse that are often art form. Throughout his years of study and hands-on work with Brass, Winds & Percussion, music builds a foundation forgotten by the majority of composers.” people from many different walks of life, there has been a common by projecting an instrument’s style in the direction of thread, a lesson he learned at a very young age. “Movement to a musical line traveling in one direction or another For Lucas, it was always the trombone. He had a desire some can be therapeutic, but truly it is an impactful and truthful in order for it to be defined as “musical.” to play the instrument before he even understood what channel of the expressive self,” Cassell explains. “It is not about it was or what it could do. The musician described a trying to be perfect, but rather about embracing the true self Lucas is a master trombonist whose expertise scene during a concert at his elementary school where through the medium of movement. Not only for those who watch, brings him across the world to judge national and a Dixieland jazz duo of a trombonist and trumpeter but those who teach it as well.” Cassell is eager to discover how an international competitions. An educator for 31 took the stage. When he heard them play, he looked at audience feels immersed in a performance, and understand the years, Lucas attends and often judges the American the trombone and knew “that [was] it.” visceral impression they gain from the story he sets out to tell. Trombone Workshop hosted by the U.S. Army Band at Brucker Hall—its headquarters and performance The affection was instant, but much of Lucas’ study Being hearing-impaired, movement is not only a tool for self- center at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. The annual, free and instruction has been focused on technique. expression for Cassell, but also a way to unpack and understand workshop takes place the second week of March, and He explains how he goes about teaching students Lucas’ secondary role on campus is as the School of the world around him. He hopes his time at CFA results in similar has a loyal following convening professionals, students, from all over the world, from China to Rio de Janeiro, Music London Program Coordinator through BU’s revelations for his students. Through his curriculum, he is hobbyists, and the general public to celebrate the Washington D.C. to London. “We all want drastic Study Abroad Program. His devotion to the program determined to support them in unlocking a sense of ownership over musicality of the trombone. improvements right away but we usually understand stems from his own personal experience studying at their voice and their bodies. And while he performs on the dance intellectually what we wish to do long before the body the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a Fulbright floor without abandon, he reminds the students that “the goal of This year, Lucas will be teaching a solution-based develops the capacity to do it,” says Lucas. “Performers Scholar. The London program was created in the fall movement is not to impress the audience, but to impress the material masterclass centered on the most common critical need to go much slower, step-by-step, and this is the of 2003 and since then has grown exponentially. Lucas you perform. Follow the pulse of the material and let that move you.” problems for trombonists when it comes to technique. fastest way to develop.” hopes the program will give students the same kind of Along with the definition of “musical,” Lucas will cultural and musical opportunities that he was granted. Yo-El Cassell is Assistant Professor of Movement at BU, touch on the principle of staying full duration before He adds that while his students come from different former resident choreographer for Commonwealth moving to the next note, as it pertains to: slide parts of the world, musical advancement is universal. According to Lucas, the program and the School’s Shakespeare Company, movement consultant for Boston movement, valve movement, natural slurs, and the “Some countries put the emphasis on the tongue in participation in the American Trombone Workshop Photos by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17). Landmarks Orchestra, and on the faculty of Harvard Dance tone before making a first note. starting the notes but I believe the correct approach is continue to expand BU’s musical legacy: “We have Center. Cassell is also the Artistic Director and Founder of 360, to first remove the tongue and just use the air to start been leading the way for the top level of students to a movement theatre ensemble comprised of male actors and According to Lucas, when the general public thinks the notes. Then when the air is fixed, add the tongue practice and learn from the best artists in the world musicians whose mission is to highlight the importance of the trombone, they believe it's the equivalent of a back in. In this correct approach, both the air and and will only continue to do so.” of storytelling through movement. huge musical cannon that will blow them away, or the tongue start the note.” 4 SPARK Eva Gallagher (CFA ’19), a sophomore graphic design student, discusses how a class assignment captured a movement.
How did your passion for photography begin and eBay how has it flourished in your time thus far at BU? Untitled (Yard Signs for Billionaires), 2016-17 Risograph printed paper mounted on cardboard with metal stakes. Courtesy the artist I’ve always been a very visual person, but I discovered photography as a freshman in high school after taking a class on analog cameras and darkrooms. From there I continued to take courses at both my high school and at Harvard Extension School, gradually improving my portfolio and advancing my technical abilities. Since being at BU, I’ve been exposed to a Exploration wider spectrum of photography, whether that be in the context of design or journalism or installation work. As a second-semester sophomore, I can definitely say I’m developing my own voice as a photographer, and having Space the opportunity to photograph events like the Women’s March or protests in Boston has given my work a sociopolitical dimension I want to expand on.
How identities and What are your favorite subjects to the politics of visibility photograph and why? Eva Gallagher (CFA’19) gives impact the physical voice through photography. and conscious state. Ever since I began taking photos, I’ve been very drawn to strong shadows, silhouettes, and geometric shapes. My portfolio includes cooler by Brooke Yarborough Intelligent Mischief tones as well as black and white images, primarily because it’s a palette by Daniella Weiss (COM'19) Survival Agents Office (detail), 2017 Mixed media installation. I find both complements my subject matter and is visually compelling. Courtesy the artists Though I hope to experiment more with color, I find it can distract from an emotion or from making a statement in some work — particularly in What does the term “occupy” How have recent social and photographs such as the ones from the Women’s March. I’ve recently Occupancies, an exhibition exploring mean to you? political events shaped your started to photograph street life more, and I’m enjoying the challenge of work in Occupancies? capturing how unpredictable people can be. how individual and collective bodies IM “To us, ‘occupy’ means to take space and to make create, negotiate, and inhabit space, space where we are not seen to belong. For the IM “Enormously. Our entire work is based on a marginalized body, the body on the border, the illegal response to an increasing amount of violence and You photographed the Women's March in the runs through March 26 at the Boston body, the black body, these days the spaces where state-sponsored attack on the black body in space. Boston Common. What were you aiming to capture our bodies belong are increasingly few, resulting in As we see capitalism accelerating towards its University Art Galleries (BUAG), a narrative of ghetto-ization whereby our bodies are eventual end, we see an increase in the intolerance in these pictures? Is there one that is your favorite? relegated to specific spaces and places. In that regard, of black bodies in space.” headed by Artistic Director Lynne Last semester my final project for Greer Muldowney’s Digital Photography occupation itself is a form of narrative resistance class was a large format, black and white series documenting the recent Cooney and Managing Director Josh whereby we disrupt the predominant spatial NV “It has only amplified the urgency of this kind political protests in Boston. Though the project had already been completed imaginary to say 'yes! we belong here' and we will of work that has already been necessary for years. Buckno. The group show, curated by by the date of the Women’s March, I wanted to continue to participate in the come with our colors, our smells, our realities, our It’s reminded me of the fact that we have a long movement through my art so I grabbed my camera and headed to Park Street Cooney herself, features the work experiences, our imaginations, our world view, etc.” way to go, and need to continue making, building, on January 21. I was aiming to capture pockets of emotion within the mass of connecting, no matter what.” of over 20 artists responding to the people that attended. By finding these intimate moments, it calls attention to NV “I think of the importance of taking up space and the reality that these are real people who will be affected by this presidency current cultural and political climate. gaining visibility as an act of resistance.” in one way or another: not merely numbers on paper or posts shared online. Is there any part of the exhibition In addition to special programming, If I had to pick one, my favorite from this series shows an elderly hand EBAY “To use equality, to have no structure, that resonates the strongest with you? holding the sign “Stand United Against Hate & Fear” through a bus window. the exhibition is hosting “Resident no judgments, no opinions.” IM “Overall, I am blown away by the work that Occupants” including Intelligent As a Resident Occupant, what are features the three jornaleros (daily paid workers) As a CFA student graphic designer, what is the Mischief (Terry Marshall and Aisha some of the ways in which your sitting eating their lunch. These are people who work reflects some of the ideas are commonly rendered so invisible, so rejected, so primary artistic vision you have in mind when Shillingford), Nabeela Vega, and eBAY. present in the exhibition? deported, so vilified, yet they are growing our food, exercising your photography skills? building our structures, caring for our babies. To IM “We created an installation that is meant to have their images featured as they are in the window, When I’m taking photos, I think allowing myself to experiment and capture challenge the way attendees occupy gallery spaces suggesting that these folks do not belong in the anything that catches my eye is essential to my process. I think some of Photos by Eva Gallagher (CFA'19). and also meant to be a pre-figurative space that shadows is extremely striking and subtle work.” my better work includes shots that were fleeting moments, and if I hadn’t allows for the kinds of discussions to take place that gravitated to that particular subject in that time frame, the final piece would we currently don't have the space or freedom to NV “It's an incredible show that immerses not be the same. Ultimately, it’s about giving yourself the mental space to have. We are using the gallery as a meeting space, a you sensorially.” mess up, but also the freedom to explore. performance space, a home base, a planning space and inviting others in to create the future realities In your opinion, what will be the that expand social space for people with black and greatest takeaway for those who Do you approach photography with the idea of brown and queer and oppressed bodies/identities.” attend Occupancies? making a statement or are you instead trying to let the subject make the statement? NV “There is a deep investment in translating, IM “The intersectionality. The vast range of people representing and making available experiences who must occupy space because they do not belong. I avoid imposing statements on my subjects, particularly since mood, facial and issues that otherwise would not be accessible Queer, brown, black, undocumented, sex- positive, expressions, and body language are revealing in themselves and offer lots Letting in this environment. It resonates with my practice etc. These are the majority, yet only a few are allowed of visual clues as to what is being communicated. I think this is why I’ve
Nabeela Vega specifically regarding immigration, queer, and to proudly occupy space.” become more curious about street photography in the context of protests — Held Together By Its Roots (turf) (detail), 2017 POC survival.” the subject is entirely in control of the statement being made and they’re in Performance and mixed media installation. Courtesy the artist NV “I hope it wakes them up, provides them context, an environment where their passion for a particular issue can be vocalized, space to reflect/consider/do/ research/empathize.” making for very emotional images. Art Speak
SPRING & SUMMER 2017 EVENTS 2017 SUMMER & SPRING
Revolution. Imagined through a contemporary contemporary a through Imagined Revolution. Marshall Room + CFA Concert Hall Concert CFA + Room Marshall 131. op. minor,
. . bu.edu/cfa/showcase visit associated with nobility prior to the French French the to prior nobility with associated performance of Beethoven’s Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp C-sharp in 14 No. Quartet Beethoven’s of performance
more information, information, more For • Studios Floor 1st
yet playfully, mock the hereditary principal principal hereditary the mock playfully, yet
Symposium and and Symposium 8pm & 4:30pm 5, April about himself, his friends, and his family. his and friends, his himself, about
provocative play and witty opera to pointedly, pointedly, to opera witty and play provocative
Exhibit and Reception Reception and Exhibit from biographical elements, retelling stories stories retelling elements, biographical from 4.05 Beethoven Center Beethoven 4.05
era, Beaumarchais and Mozart created both a a both created Mozart and Beaumarchais era,
BFA and MFA Design & Production Production & Design MFA and BFA 5–6:30pm Jugdeo creates video and sculptural installations installations sculptural and video creates Jugdeo
and across cultures. As revolutionaries in their their in revolutionaries As cultures. across and
LA-based Canadian artist Vishal Vishal artist Canadian LA-based 7:30pm 04, April Showcase Performance BFA 4–5pm
Aristocratic privilege exists throughout time time throughout exists privilege Aristocratic
Ticketing Code: Symphony Code: Ticketing
Theatre Showcase 2017 Showcase Theatre
conductor • David Paul, stage director director stage Paul, David • conductor
question notions of “progress” and its alternatives. alternatives. its and “progress” of notions question Brown, guest conductor • Symphony Hall Hall Symphony • conductor guest Brown,
5.08 Boston University University Boston 5.08
Lorenzo Da Ponte, librettist • William Lumpkin, Lumpkin, William • librettist Ponte, Da Lorenzo
based, photographic, and discursive projects projects discursive and photographic, based, 685 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 685 Emily Freeman Freeman Emily . Creation The masterpiece and
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer composer Mozart, Amadeus Wolfgang
and vernacular culture, Steffani Jemison’s time- Jemison’s Steffani culture, vernacular and Tsai Performance Center Center Performance Tsai
Performing Joseph Haydn's oratorio oratorio Haydn's Joseph Performing 8pm 4, April
4.20 — 4.23 Le nozze di Figaro di nozze Le 4.23 — 4.20 conceptual practices are inflected by black history history black by inflected are practices conceptual
6–8pm • 808 Gallery 808 • 6–8pm 4.04 BU Symphony Orchestra & Chorus & Orchestra Symphony BU 4.04
301 Massachusetts Avenue Massachusetts 301
whose work considers issues that arise when when arise that issues considers work whose
Opening Reception: May 5, 5, May Reception: Opening Arts. Visual of School
S ymphony Hall ymphony
An interdisciplinary artist artist interdisciplinary An 7:30pm 21, March
sculpture, graphic design, and printmaking at the the at printmaking and design, graphic sculpture,
Gallery • Graphic Design, Stone Gallery Stone Design, Graphic • Gallery
Featuring work by graduating seniors in painting, painting, in seniors graduating by work Featuring
Jacob Sleeper Auditorium Sleeper Jacob represented.
808 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 808
April 14, 6–8pm • Painting + Sculpture, 808 808 Sculpture, + Painting • 6–8pm 14, April
and social issues. issues. social and
deconstruct how history is written and and written is history how deconstruct
303 Room 5.06 — 5.11 BFA Thesis Exhibition Thesis BFA 5.11 — 5.06
Reception: Opening Arts. Visual of School and cartoons to wrestle with difficult historical historical difficult with wrestle to cartoons and
punning, and rhyme humorously and incisively incisively and humorously rhyme and punning,
Marshall Room Room Marshall
painting, sculpture, and graphic design at the the at design graphic and sculpture, painting,
Thomas Gibson combines the language of comics comics of language the combines Gibson Thomas
and literature. The artists’ use of wordplay, wordplay, of use artists’ The literature. and
Featuring work by graduate candidates in in candidates graduate by work Featuring
Brooklyn-based painter Mark Mark painter Brooklyn-based 7:30pm 14, March
735 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 735
class, and social norms within history, art, art, history, within norms social and class, Theatre • Ticketing Code: Theatre Code: Ticketing • Theatre
4.15 — 4.28 MFA Thesis Exhibition Thesis MFA 4.28 — 4.15
Tuesday Night MFA Lecture Series Lecture MFA Night Tuesday
Mar sh Chapel sh Their highly theatrical vignettes explore gender, gender, explore vignettes theatrical highly Their Boston University University Boston love. of mystery essential
3.14 + 3.21 + 4.04 + 4.11 + 4.18 + 4.25 + 5.02 + 4.25 + 4.18 + 4.11 + 4.04 + 3.21 + 3.14
video, performance, painting, and writing. writing. and painting, performance, video, of romantic intrigue explores the delightful and and delightful the explores intrigue romantic of
871 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 871
and-wife collaborative duo whose work collides collides work whose duo collaborative and-wife and hilarious disguises, this who’s-who comedy comedy who’s-who this disguises, hilarious and
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai Jacob Jacob Auditorium Sleeper
The Kelleys are a husband- a are Kelleys The 6:30pm 27, March to keep her man. Filled with clever deceptions deceptions clever with Filled man. her keep to
and a premiere by John Wallace. Wallace. John by premiere a and
CFA Concert Hall Concert CFA
rich and beautiful Laura, Florela goes undercover undercover goes Florela Laura, beautiful and rich
& Patrick Kelley Patrick &
25 Harbor Shore Drive Shore Harbor 25
Messiaen, Olivier Woolfenden, Guy Jager,
performs works by BU student composers. composers. student BU by works performs Baldelli
compete with other suitors for the hand of the the of hand the for suitors other with compete
Kelley Reid Mary Series: Lecture
Institute o Institute Art Contemporary f
Performing works by Robert Robert by works Performing 8pm 13, April
Electric guitarist Giacomo Giacomo guitarist Electric 8pm 14, March When Florela’s fiancé decides to leave her and and her leave to decides fiancé Florela’s When
3.27 Contemporary Perspectives Perspectives Contemporary 3.27
4.13 Boston University Wind Ensemble Wind University Boston 4.13
ingenios. los de prueba La Vega’s de Lope 855 Commonwealth Avenue Avenue Commonwealth 855 Giacomo Baldelli in Residence in Baldelli Giacomo
director • Freely adapted and translated from from translated and adapted Freely • director
F Gallery Stone James and Jo, G., aye Center for New Music: Music: New for Center 3.14
Caridad Svich, playwright • Elaine Vaan Hogue, Hogue, Vaan Elaine • playwright Svich, Caridad
Stone Gallery Stone University.
Contemporary Art • Ticketing Code: ICA Code: Ticketing • Art Contemporary
855 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 855
5.04 — 5.07 The Labyrinth of Desire of Labyrinth The 5.07 — 5.04
Chair of Art History and Visual Culture at Denison Denison at Culture Visual and History Art of Chair
Institute of of Institute video. and ensemble for
CFA Concert Hall Concert CFA
Daniel Russell, conductor • Marsh Chapel Chapel Marsh • conductor Russell, Daniel Harris. Grabski, the John and Christine Warner Professor and and Professor Warner Christine and John the Grabski,
fugaralis Liber Murail’s Tristan of premiere U.S.
Arvo Pärt, Gerard Finzi, Jonathan Dove, and Roy Roy and Dove, Jonathan Finzi, Gerard Pärt, Arvo Keynote lecture by Dr. Joanna Joanna Dr. by lecture Keynote 5:30pm 24, March
, and the the and , L’abîme Fineberg’s Joshua Director Music 264 Huntington Avenue Huntington 264
Ticketing Code: Theatre Code: Ticketing
Elgar, Elgar, Edward by works Performing 8pm 3, March
Symposium Keynote Lecture Keynote Symposium
Boston University Theatre & Lane Comley Studio 210 Studio Comley Lane & Theatre University Boston , the Boston premiere of Center for New New for Center of premiere Boston the , Talea
210 Studio Lane-Comley Theatre, BU
3.03 Graduate Vocal Ensemble Recital Ensemble Vocal Graduate 3.03 Art and Architecture Graduate Graduate Architecture and Art based Talea Ensemble performs Gérard Grisey’s Grisey’s Gérard performs Ensemble Talea based
reasons. And so, in spite of all logic, the war erupts. erupts. war the logic, all of spite in so, And reasons.
808 Commonwealth Avenue Commonwealth 808
New York- New • Ensemble Talea • 8pm 13, April
3.24 Department of History of of History of Department 3.24
because of his honor; and others for various mean mean various for others and honor; his of because
808 Gallery 808
and dirges: the king because it is custom; the lawyer, lawyer, the custom; is it because king the dirges: and
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai . Disintegration
take place. But the poets need a war for their elegies elegies their for war a need poets the But place. take
855 Commonwealth Avenue Avenue Commonwealth 855
performs chamber music masterworks. masterworks. music chamber performs
808 Gallery 808
student composer, as well as Tristan Murail’s Murail’s Tristan as well as composer, student
Together they agree that the Trojan War shall not not shall War Trojan the that agree they Together
Studios Floor 1
Cellist Rhonda Rider Rider Rhonda Cellist 8pm 2, March
st
investigate trauma and spectatorship. spectatorship. and trauma investigate
, and the work of a BU BU a of work the and , CHEMIN...OSER...VIE...
Ulysses and the populace of the insanity of war. war. of insanity the of populace the and Ulysses
3.02 Music Faculty Recital Series Recital Faculty Music 3.02
through gesture, color, repetition, and remix to to remix and repetition, color, gesture, through
Venues ...AMI... Leroux’s Phlippe , Stele Grisey’s returns from battle as a peacemaker and convinces convinces and peacemaker a as battle from returns
conflates fiction, folklore, live art, and persona persona and art, live folklore, fiction, conflates Black
Sound Icon performs Gérard Gérard performs Icon Sound 8pm 12, April Hector Hector director Friedman, Sidney • translator
Blues\Blank\ , Beloved and Eye Bluest The Morrison’s
Jean Giradoux, playwright • Christopher Fry, Fry, Christopher • playwright Giradoux, Jean
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai Drawing on excerpts from Toni Toni from excerpts on Drawing 7pm 16, March
Studio (Room B38) (Room Studio
5.03 — 5.07 Tiger at the Gates the at Tiger 5.07 — 5.03
. . Dances American Old of Suite Bennett’s
Music Electronic CFA • Leroux Philippe Dell M. Hamilton Performance Hamilton M. Dell 3.16
, and Robert Russell Russell Robert and , Sky Sheltering Mackey’s John
617.933.8600 bostontheatrescene.com bostontheatrescene.com • Composer’s Forum Lecture: Lecture: Forum Composer’s 9:30am 11, April
, , Comedy Divine Smith’s W. Robert , Ver Febris with BU ID, at the door, day of performance, subject to availability. availability. to subject performance, of day door, the at ID, BU with
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai
Members, and Huntington Subscribers; $6 CFA Membership, free free Membership, CFA $6 Subscribers; Huntington and Members, Performing Nancy Galbraith’s Galbraith’s Nancy Performing 8pm 1, March
Concert Hall Concert Haas. GF and Murail Tristan by 808 Commonwealth Avenue • Room 303 Room • Avenue Commonwealth 808
Theatre $12 general public; $10 BU Alumni, WGBH and WBUR WBUR and WGBH Alumni, BU $10 public; general $12
of the 2017 Concerto Competition. Competition. Concerto 2017 the of
3.01 Concert Band Concert 3.01
Ensemble perform solo and chamber works works chamber and solo perform Ensemble
reconstructions of place and identity. identity. and place of reconstructions
Featuring the winners winners the Featuring 8pm 27, April
The New York-based Argento Argento York-based New The 7pm 6, April photography, sculpture, and text to reference reference to text and sculpture, photography,
Symphony Orchestra Symphony
Harold Mendez works with installation, installation, with works Mendez Harold 617.933.8600 bostontheatrescene.com bostontheatrescene.com •
4.27 Boston University University Boston 4.27
day of performance, subject to availability. to subject performance, of day 808 Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Annex. and Gallery, Stone Gallery, 808 B38) (Room Studio artist born to Columbian and Mexican parents, parents, Mexican and Columbian to born artist
Membership; $5 students; free with BU ID, two tickets, at the door, door, the at tickets, two ID, BU with free students; $5 Membership;
. . bu.edu/art visit details, more For
Music Electronic CFA • Leroux Philippe A first-generation American American first-generation A 7:30pm 02, May
Members, Huntington Subscribers, and senior citizens; $10 CFA CFA $10 citizens; senior and Subscribers, Huntington Members,
Nabeela Vega as “Resident Occupants.” Occupants.” “Resident as Vega Nabeela Composer’s Forum Lecture: Lecture: Forum Composer’s 9:30am 4, April
Opera $20 general public; $15 BU Alumni, WGBH and WBUR WBUR and WGBH Alumni, BU $15 public; general $20
Tsai Performance Center Performance Tsai
space. Featuring eBAY, Intelligent Mischief, and and Mischief, Intelligent eBAY, Featuring space. books, and other personal objects. objects. personal other and books,
and Arturo Marquez’ Danzon No. 2. 2. No. Danzon Marquez’ Arturo and
bodies create, negotiate, and inhabit inhabit and negotiate, create, bodies collective
American immigrants, hand-written letters, letters, hand-written immigrants, American
Talea Ensemble. Talea ICA ICA 617.478.3100 icaboston.org public. general $20 •
, with trumpeter Aaron Scoccia, Scoccia, Aaron trumpeter with , Excursions
intimate portraits of undocumented Latin Latin undocumented of portraits intimate An exhibition exploring how individual and and individual how exploring exhibition An
the Argento Ensemble, Sound Icon and the the and Icon Sound Ensemble, Argento the
, Bruce Broughton’s Broughton’s Bruce , Castle Moving Howl’s Goto’s
New York-based artist Aliza Nisenbaum makes makes Nisenbaum Aliza artist York-based New
the festival, which will include concerts by by concerts include will which festival, the Occupancies 3.26 — 2.03 888.266.1200 888.266.1200 10am–6pm. bso.org bso.org 10am–6pm. •
Performing Joe Hisaishi/Yo Hisaishi/Yo Joe Performing 8pm 25, April
Born in Mexico City, City, Mexico in Born 7:30pm 25, April performance; free with BU ID, at the door, day of performance, performance, of day door, the at ID, BU with free performance; composers will be in residence throughout throughout residence in be will composers
& Concert Band Concert &
$10 students; Student Rush: $10, available at the door, day of of day door, the at available $10, Rush: Student students; $10 of the so-called second generation of spectral spectral of generation second so-called the of
Symphony Symphony $25 general admission; $12.50 CFA Membership, Membership, CFA $12.50 admission; general $25
visual communication. communication. visual 4.25 All Campus Orchestra Orchestra Campus All 4.25 today and perhaps the leading representative representative leading the perhaps and today
occupy a hazy space between verbal and and verbal between space hazy a occupy
of the most prominent composers working working composers prominent most the of
art abstraction, Dana Frankfort’s paintings paintings Frankfort’s Dana abstraction, art
French composer, Philippe Leroux, one one Leroux, Philippe composer, French
for more details. more for
Merging graffiti and high high and graffiti Merging 7:30pm 18, April Theatre • Ticketing Code: Opera Code: Ticketing • Theatre
Philippe Leroux Leroux Philippe otherwise noted. Visit noted. otherwise bu.edu/cfa/events
with English supertitles. Boston University University Boston supertitles. English with
with guest composer composer guest with unless unless public the to open and free are events All
connection between visual art and languages. languages. and art visual between connection Sung in Italian Italian in Sung classes. the between struggle
Spectral Music Festival Festival Music Spectral
writers and still lifes of typewriters reveal a deep deep a reveal typewriters of lifes still and writers century and the continuing continuing the and century relevance in the 21 the in relevance
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Ticket Information Information Ticket
Center for New Music: Music: New for Center 4.04 — 4.14 4.14 — 4.04 Sam Messer’s portraits of of portraits Messer’s Sam 7:30pm 11, April lens, this production accentuates the opera’s opera’s the accentuates production this lens, 8 SPARK VOLUME TWO, ISSUE THREE 9 Peter Pan trunk show uses found objects and a small cast to encourage youthful imagination. Arts leadership minor educates cultural by Brooke Yarborough producers who see This spring, MFA Production Management costumes are limited to what can fit in candidate Danielle Taylor (CFA’17) is a trunk,” says Taylor. “Each prop serves the big picture. hitting the road with Bringing Neverland, many purposes. For example, a lantern a 30-minute adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s could be used for exploring, but could by Logen Zimmerman 1911 classic novel Peter and Wendy. also be Tinkerbell’s home; the trunk could Taylor’s mission is to tour and perform be the seat below the nursery window, the production for underserved but later pop up to be the pirate ship.” audiences to spread the message about youthful imagination, and share the art “We’re very focused on the found of creative storytelling. object,” she adds. “It’s still developing, but the props are ever-evolving— From Boston Children’s Hospital to anything can become anything. the Ronald McDonald House, Taylor We create what this world does.” hopes the project will bring the magic of Peter Pan and theatre to those The entire show is specifically designed In the spirit of found objects, article photos have who rarely have the opportunity to for a small cast of just four to five actors. been curated from the free and open-source high- resolution photography website, unsplash.com. experience live entertainment, in a While Taylor initially wanted to work ARTiculated form that is convenient and accessible with students within the BU School for all audiences, regardless of venue, of Theatre to produce the show, she age, or means. struggled to find students who could commit to the project or had mutual “I’ve always enjoyed children’s availability. “I talked to so many people Jen Guillemin, Arts Leadership Advisor theatre,” says Taylor, who prior to who loved the idea, but didn’t have the Changemakers Photo by Mark Zhu (CFA’18). studying at BU, served as Resident time to dedicate to it,” she recalls. Stage Manager of Children’s Theater at Omaha Theatre Company, and Taylor’s advisor Roger Meeker On November 11, 2016, nearly 100 Boston University professors Judy Braha (Theatre), Dana Clancy (Visual What type of student is enrolled Assistant Company Manager for suggested she reach out to recent students, faculty, and staff members joined with Arts), and John Wallace (Music), as well as Guillemin in the Arts Leadership minor? Sesame Street Live! “For my thesis alums. In November, Tim Spears more than 50 Boston-area arts professionals at and Senior Associate Dean Patricia Mitro. project, I felt inspired to do something (CFA’06,’11,’16) came on board to direct Bringing CFA’s new graduate Graphic Design Studio at 808 Currently, about 40 undergraduates from across in addition to a research paper; the show. Casting began in January, Commonwealth Avenue for the Arts and Ideas in Mitro comments that faculty involvement from BU (including CFA, Questrom, COM, and SAR) have a project that I could bring to the and includes senior Alicia Pemme Action: Arts+Business+Social Impact symposium. all three CFA Schools allowed the team “a unique elected the minor. According to Mitro, “The goal is local community and write about Nelson (CFA’17) and local theatre opportunity to work outside of their comfort zones to reach students who have different artistic and my experiences.” artists Rachel Smith (CFA’17), Tyler A collaborative effort between CFA, Questrom toward something personally and professionally academic interests. They learn to apply practical skills Prendergast, and Katie Grindeland, Neverland School of Business, and the BU Arts Initiative, meaningful.” By 2013, the minor was up and and to approach topics from broader perspectives.” This past summer, Taylor worked with sound design by J. Collin Priddy- the symposium took place in the aftermath of a running with three requirements: the Arts Leaders Guillemin sees candidates as emerging from three a friend of a friend who is a Children’s Barnum (CFA’17), and scenic design particularly divisive Presidential election. Visitors Forum, Career Development for Artists, and Arts general categories: Literature graduate student to finalize by Jeffrey Petersen (CFA’17). were treated to inspirational messages from those Internship. Two additional electives are then chosen the scripts adaptations. With the working munificently within, and founders of, local by advisement to round out a 20-credit sequence. » The studio-based practicing artist help of a $2,000 grant from the BU With the production fully cast, Taylor not-for-profit arts organizations, including Artists Guillemin serves as the advisor. (or sole proprietor). Arts Initiative, she was able to start is currently seeking opportunities to stage for Humanity and Resilient Coders, and socially purchasing costumes and coordinating the production through the end of the responsible businesses, including IDEO Each of the required courses carries a specific » The more social action-oriented artist who logistics for production last fall. semester, including a production at Studio and athenahealth. purpose. Arts Leaders introduces creative-minded focuses on greater contexts of society. This 210. She hopes to “continue developing students to arts professionals from many disciplines; person is entrepreneurial and uses her/his “To allow for a focus on the storytelling touring programs for children’s theatre The symposium was also the culmination of the Career Development is designed to deepen their practice to promote social good. aspect and imagination for the younger after graduation in May.” extensive work of Jeannette Guillemin, Director understandings of the basic tools in business aspects generations, the show’s props and ad interim of the School of Visual Arts, and Wendy of the arts (i.e. branding, funding, budgeting); and » Someone who sees himself/herself as Swart Grossman, a consultant and BU lecturer, who Arts Internship allows for practical application and more successful working in a preexisting had developed and taught a course on the Creative immersion. For example, in addition to working with arts organization, or with artists, and Economy and Social Impact. In so doing, some of an arts organization, students in Arts Internship are making changes from within— the questions they asked were: “How do you translate required to maintain a semester-long weekly blog hence “intrapreneurial.” an idea into action?” and “What are expanded and create a LinkedIn profile. Specially developed professional pathways for working artists?” electives such as Creative Economy or the recently Collectively, all students make connections between These answers can be found in Arts Leadership. added Collaborative Arts Incubator complement the arts and different disciplines, are interested in the interdisciplinary approach toward thinking deepening the human experience, and are committed What is Arts Leadership? of the minor, as well as CFA as a whole. at a core level to making change. Whether active “cultural producers” or those who wish “to be Arts Leadership is an interdisciplinary minor According to Dean ad interim Lynne Allen, the connected to the arts,” Guillemin states that arts available to undergraduate students from across BU minor is integral to CFA’s vision and mission. “The leaders see the “big picture.” An arts leader, she says, and housed in CFA. It traces its roots to former Dean Arts Leadership minor,” Allen explains, “empowers “Leverages the arts to drive innovation, change, Benjamín Juárez, who developed and still teaches the students to understand the roles they can play in and to create a more humane world.” course, Arts Leaders Forum. Dean Juárez assembled keeping art and culture at the forefront of society.” a committee of faculty members and administrators to For more information on the Arts Leadership help form the minor. This group included CFA minor, please visit bu.edu/cfa/artsleadership. 10 SPARK VOLUME TWO, ISSUE THREE 11
With Spark, Marshall Lambert demonstrates Color that when it comes to color, it’s all relative. by Brooke Yarborough Photos by Goldstones Studios. Matters
For Marshall Lambert (CFA’15), design is as much of an art practice backgrounds and creating illusions into account everything [she] “I’ve had many fun ideas while Founder of the curious and as painting, for example,” from context. Through Adobe knew. Should the colors reflect thinking through what the ‘third processual design and art says Lambert, who typically Color, Lambert often consults a the seasons, or the experience issues’ could and should look practice Studio Skiffle, and draws from other art forms in color wheel before settling on a of schooling and changes over like,” says Lambert. “We threw the Creative Director of Spark, her work. “People often have color system for any project; for the semesters?” She also recalls around a couple of ideas, and color selection is more than strong opinions about color. Spark, it helps her “explore colors drawing inspiration from other landed on the idea of a ‘wildcard a subjective choice based I try to be really mindful of this that complement each other.” color systems she’s encountered: issue.’” These are, together, on personal preference— when selecting colors—why I “The Harvard Art Museums uses the spring and summer issues it’s a science. picked them, why I used them.” Spark’s design creates a rhythm; a color system on their website after all, she tells us: “Students Lambert considers color’s role in where every day of the year is are anxious and flustered— Known to artists and graphic While experimental in nature, the process: “To some degree, it is represented by a slightly different blundered between final exams, designers as Color Theory, Lambert Lambert embraces what she calls always present in the background color of a spectrum.” For Spark, graduations, and their futures, sat down with the Spark Editorial a painterly approach in developing of each spread,” she says. “Making Lambert was searching for a all in contrast to the excitement Team via Skype from her studio a color system—manipulating a decision on that color so it’s not color process that could transfer of warmer weather, Spring Ivan Linn Fuses in Golden, CO, to provide insight colors through contrasting overwhelming, so there is a break over many years. Break, and summer vacation.” into her process—shedding light in color, and pace, that’s where the Classical Music on how methods of trial and error experimentation comes in.” In the end, the fall 2015 launch The spring and summer issue of with Video Games. and experimentation set In developing the issue sampled two colors from the Spark will harness those energies, the tone and inform color system issue’s cover image as its primary flipping the systems in place on by Sydney Narvaez (COM '19) the content for for Spark, colors; the inverse of those colors their feet by making the design and Priscilla Valdez (COM '19) Spark from Lambert were then used as the primary a special and unique experience. one issue to “took colors of the winter 2016 issue. “It’s a place to explore,” says the next. Lambert. “This issue's colors were “For This system of rules successfully inspired by the contrasting tartness me, carried the publication through and sweetness of grapefruit two volumes and four issues, enjoyed in early spring. For these resulting in the addition of third-issues, color now becomes a third issue for spring and a ‘wildcard,’ and won’t be bound Classical Gaming summer 2017, and a complicated to the first two issues within the Classical pianist and CFA DMA candidate, Ivan Working with the Video Game Orchestra, Linn and CFA for the recognition. quandary for Lambert to answer: volume; gradients as currently Linn, both embraces and defies tradition. As a challenged everything he had learned in his From his experiences with Video Game How do you add new rules to a expected may not necessarily exist. composer for one of the best-selling videogame early musical training. He was surprised to find Orchestra and CFA, Linn’s hope for classical color system so it can handle an For the articles, I imagine greater franchises, Final Fantasy, Linn has bridged that music for games and films is produced on music students is that they can be open minded additional publication when the possibilities in layout—perhaps the world of classical to a realm of unreality, computers, as opposed to the pen-to-paper way and go beyond the genre’s rigid traditions. system was originally designed white pages with different colored bringing the symphony into the gaming console. in which he originally learned to compose. for a two-issue publication? type, overlapping images, and “Musicians in the classical music world are repeating shapes, photos, and Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, Linn only listened “Nowadays composers direct music on always talking about how classical music is going interesting textural overlays.” to classical music. He began playing piano at the computers, where even a hundred years ago they to die soon, and what we can do to save it,” Linn age of 12, which he considers late compared to didn’t have computers to write music,” Linn said. said. “The thing is that we should be innovating “For me, this is the perfect time to his peers. “The way they produce and generate melody or and being creative, not being afraid of going talk about the color system and the sound is totally different from before.” forward to embrace music.” design of Spark,” says Lambert. His move to Berlin, Germany in 2005 exposed “I feel it relevant and important him to other genres he hadn’t yet heard, Upon enrolling in the College of Fine Arts to Linn follows his own advice as he continues for our readers to understand like Japanese pop music. After attending the receive a doctorate in piano, Linn feared the composing for video games as well as film. the design on a deeper level. Hanover Music School for Music and Theatre, College would restrict him to an outdated view of His latest work includes composition for movies As a designer, I have felt Linn decided to pursue higher education in the classical music and be unaccepting of his unique Lazer Team and Ice Fantasy, along with Final really supported. Spark is an United States. approach. However, recommendations from Fantasy XV which has sold more than 6 million unusual publication that is his friends assured him that CFA students and copies worldwide. As the original pianist for well-represented by its team. Linn moved to Boston to attend the New England faculty advocate for creativity and innovation. the game's score, Linn has reached a massive They have been very open to Conservatory of Music, and came across a gaming audience. experimenting with these group, the Video Game Orchestra, that was At the School of Music, Linn informed Professor theories and designs, which looking for a local pianist. Linn’s first project Boaz Sharon about his work with the Video “Performing-wise, if we’re talking about a live speaks volumes about CFA’s with the Orchestra was for the video game Game Orchestra and was shocked at his positive concert, it’s almost impossible to engage as many openness to curiosity.” franchise Final Fantasy, and their success from response. Sharon even went on to nominate Linn people that go into a theater to watch a movie,” this project opened his eyes to an untouched for a Zulalian Award, which is given to students Linn said. “So I wanted to engage with the larger The result has been incredible. area of classical music. who are simultaneously contributing to the medium to spread the music that I love, and In just 18 months, Spark has won music and business industries. video game music and film music happened nearly a dozen awards in editorial, “They knew that I played classical piano but did not to be in this category.” art direction, and graphic design. yet have experience with rock music or video game “I nominated Linn because he’s a phenomenal In the future, Lambert hopes to music,” Linn said. “They were quite interested in pianist with an unusual palette of colors at his Going forward, Linn hopes to branch out into continue experimenting with working with me because I don’t think they’d ever disposal,” Sharon said. “When he plays, the electronic music, which he believes is the future patterns, illustration, and the seen someone from the classical music world that colors that come out of his playing are absolutely of composing in terms of both cost-efficiency unexpected experience. was interested in video game music.” fantastic.” Linn was chosen as the recipient of and computer composition.
the Zulalian award, and is grateful to Sharon Screenshot from Marshall's color process in Adobe Color while developing the initial color theory for Spark Volume One, Issue One.
Overdrive
Spectral Music Festival with guest composer Philippe Leroux
BU Center for New Music presents a 10-day festival of Spectral Music, exploring this trend from its early works by Grisey and Murail into the present. The event includes recent works by Farewell BU Theatre Philippe Leroux and GF Haas, a Boston premiere from Joshua Fineberg, and a US premiere of Tristan Murail’s monumental After six decades and hundreds of productions, the School Liber fugeralis for ensemble and live video. of Theatre will bid a fond farewell to the Boston University Theatre and BU Design & Production Center this spring. Join us French composer, Philippe Leroux, one the most prominent as we create our final memories on the BU Theatre stages—and composers working today and perhaps the leading celebrate the many careers launched on Huntington Avenue— representative of the so-called second generation of spectral by attending a matinee performance of either Tiger at the Gates composers will be in residence throughout the festival, which or The Labyrinth of Desire on Sunday, May 7th. will include concerts by the Argento Ensemble, Sound Icon, and the Talea Ensemble at the ICA Boston. For more information, visit bu.edu/cfa/farewellBUT. SPARK GRANT 2017
The Spark Grant empowers graduate students outside of Making a Milestone the classroom, supporting their efforts to fund a project Photo by Lynne Allen that activates and engages the community.
On Thursday, February 23rd, a particularly mild day on On May 3rd, five finalists will pitch their ideas to their Commonwealth Avenue, a small group including Dean Lynne peers at The Hawthorne in Kenmore Square. One winner Allen and School of Theatre Director Jim Petosa gathered to will receive a $1,000 grant to kick-start their project, and celebrate the placement of the final structural steel beam on the opportunity to be profiled in Spark in the coming year. the new Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre. Under a clear blue sky, the historic beam signing signaled rapid progress on the For more details on the Spark Grant, construction project which aims for completion in late 2017. visit bu.edu/cfa/spark-grant.
Spark Editorial Team volume two, issue three
CREATIVE DIRECTION + DESIGN Studio Skiffle EXECUTIVE EDITORS + ART DIRECTION Laurel Homer and Brooke Yarborough INTERVIEWS + ARTICLES Anna Whitelaw, Denae Wilkins, Daniella Weiss, Logen Zimmerman, Brooke Yarborough, Sydney Narvaez, Priscilla Valdez
SPARK IS PROUDLY PRINTED THROUGH NOBLE FORD PRODUCTIONS.