Review: If Artists Ran the Media

During the 2008 United States election season, there is no doubt that the news media went into overdrive, reporting on everything from First Lady fashion to explosive arguments from lesbian lovers Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson. There was relentless coverage on the worldwide economy going sour, and even the media wasn't safe from a crumbling, post-Bush era economy. As the United States spiralled toward the worst recession in decades, who can blame the media's pessimistic attitude?

Some individuals are simply disgusted with the media's overportrayal of every facet of life. At an art school like Columbia College, who can blame the young adults for eliciting such a strong response? At the C33 Gallery, located at 33 E. Congress Parkway, an exhibit entitled "If Artists Ran the Media" is currently running until Feb. 20. This exhibit showcases work from Columbia students and groups, utilizing a wide variety of new media options that would make a newspaper editor blush. Though traditional art is prominent at this exhibit, there are also audio recordings, videos digital enhancements and zines that will appeal to the casual viewer.

Even more striking is the detail put into each work of art, from the hand-stitched "Conspicuous Presence" by Milo Bosh, which sews together the inadequacies of Vogue Italia's failed "Black Issue," giving the bland cover a symbolic update as stitches litter supermodel Tyra Banks' face. The symbolism rings true for many other pieces at the exhibit. Showing a grittier side of the media, the images created by Columbia students speak more than a thousand words cluttered together on a newspaper page.

It is true that new media is overtaking old practices, however the topics of contention remain the same: politics, war, poverty and occasionally, the latest hot-topic controversy. At an art school known for "Creating Change" the topics covered at this exhibit are getting quite trite, often falling into the realm of political corruption and correctness. Even the media provides commentary on more facets of American society, like blogs that cover celebrity entertainment and gossip to the sports news programs on ESPN that love to roast the latest steroid-induced baseball legend.

However, the overall effect of "If Artists Ran the Media" is not lost. The students effectively showcase that a biased and slanted media will always stay the same. As overzealous news channels and advertisements geared towards reporting on the "truth" stuff society's mouth with over information and baseless rumor-mongering, this exhibit succeeds in having viewers like myself wanting more. But then again, art is an open-ended criticism on life in itself, a place where criticism is valued, rather than swallowed whole in a flurry of misinformation and bad judgment propagated by an apathetic media.

'If Artists Ran the Media' is currently running at the C33 Gallery, located at 33 E. Congress Pkwy until Feb. 20. The C33 Gallery is open from 9 a.m. To 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.