Look Harder!

How I Review the Arts:

A set of rules, bound by my own experiences, while observing culture and society is how I review the arts. For every review I wrote for Reviewing the Arts, I was expected to review a variety of topics utilizing different techniques needed to critically review a diverse set of subjects. From using a blind eye to experiences cultural experiences unlike my own, to deciphering the media and other opinionated judgments and using it as fodder for basing our own thoughts, reviewing the arts is essentially the language of individual thought.

In many ways, art is essentially a tool for others to communicate their own experiences and judgments. However, as a reviewer, we must be able to look harder at the subjects we analyze. On Nick Salzwedel’s blog “Snick Art,” he states that reviewing the arts is about looking twice, maybe three times and studying it and I can relate to what he says because its about looking past those first judgments and studying it closer, taking in any thought or opinion that crosses the mind.

Too often, society (as defined by the media that supplies them “information”) is quick to make snap judgments and go on with their life. This is most evident in on the political stage, but the same case rings true for the entertainment industry as well. In Andrew Ross’s Real Love, he blasts America for their faux Populist ideas and who can blame him? In a country where two political parties battle for your affection, it’s about who can give the best speech and win the hearts AND interests of America. Yes, it’s a charade only because we can only trust these leaders to have our best interests in mind and hope that everything will work out in the end, but to them, they want themselves and their party to reign above it all.

The most disturbing thing I read was the fact that Ross believes that “public life is more substantial than this charade and yet everyone says that it is getting more and more difficult to tell the difference.” Yet, Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid can go as far as organizing a poll on people’s attitudes to find an answer. They did not want to find an opinion by observing their subjects once or twice; they were pulling in bigger numbers. In a sense, their approach to reviewing the arts is a success because they embody the idea that people can voice their opinions through their different attitudes. Just like the leaders before them, people can truly call the shots if they care enough about what pleases or bothers them. It’s called effort.

However, we must be able to tell those differences and analyze them and other judgments, not for our personal pleasure, but to fully inform our readers about what we (the reviewer) think is important to discuss and criticize. However, in the realm of public opinion, one tends to get lost in emotion and personal belief. Therefore, I hope that my attempt at reviewing the arts this semester was a successful one. I am guilty of certain “personal beliefs” through my own experiences, but it’s simply about looking past the obvious and seeing something you may/may not have known existed and attempt to understand it.

Living Out Loud Does Not Get the Point Across

For many middle-aged wives, the fear of their husbands leaving them for a younger woman is not a uncommon thought. For wealthy New Yorker Judith Nelson, played by the affable Holly Hunter, not even brains, money or looks can save her failed marriage in the movie “Living Out Loud.”

Poor Judith Nelson. If the iconic HBO television show “Sex and the City” has taught its viewers one thing, it's the fact that these broken-hearted romantics need to move on. Strangely reminiscent of “Sex and the City,” the movie is directed in a way that allows Hunter's character to ooze her feelings and bare her soul in an introspective and almost Shakespearian way (where characters simply cannot keep their emotions to themselves). At least SATC's Carrie Bradshaw had a sense of humor.

The problem is that director Richard LaGravenese thought it would be a good idea to re-hash certain aspects of “The Bridges of Madison County,” which he wrote the screenplay for. Both movies are built on a great film making technique where characters and dialogue are the driving forces of interest in the movie. However, many movies fail to be perfect, and having self-absorbed thought sessions from Nelson doesn't give her character true depth until she finds solace in the other characters.

Spending her lonely nights in Jaspers, an upper west side jazz nightclub, she builds her spirit by watching the amazing Queen Latifah doing what she does best: performing her ass off. The rapper turned singer helps change Nelson's life, while balancing a bevy of sizzling musical numbers that is strangely reminiscent of Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance as Effie in 2006's “Dreamgirls.” Latifah is a born entertainer in every right, as she steals every scene she's in with relative ease, but when belting out glamorous cabaret numbers, it's hard to not be the center of attention.

However, much of “Living Out Loud” is about the relationship between Nelson and her elevator guy Pat, played by Danny DeVito, who is lonely himself and in debt. Though their friendship, which is based on their past struggles and being able to move on from them, is quite poignant and emotionally vulnerable, the resolution isn't really fleshed out, leaving the audience predictably wondering what really happens to these characters after they find complacence in their sordid lives.

Though I cannot speak to the heartbreak and struggles of growing older and falling out of love, “Living Out Loud” misses the cultural points it tries to make. Divorce, heartbreak and the possibility of a younger generation infiltrating our precious (and married) MILFs and DILFs are some common themes we can throw around here, but the movie, like America, is too consumed with itself and the characters' lives. Their lives mean nothing to us if we cannot go on the emotional rollercoaster that Miller rides throughout the movie. However, I have noticed one thing in “Living Out Loud” that college-aged kids don't seem to understand in terms of heartbreak and lost love: it's always good to talk about it with those who care, instead of drowning in a defenseless mind of confusing thoughts and lost hopes.

Who has the Biggest Mouth in the South Loop???

Like the Governator Schwarzenegger would perhaps say once in his lifetime: Forget Columbia’s puny little battle of the bands, aptly titled “Big Mouth,” the biggest clash of the colleges took place at the Metro in Wrigleyville on May 5 for the “Biggest Mouth Campus Clash. “

Three of the South Loop’s finest colleges – Roosevelt, DePaul and Columbia College sent their five best acts from their campus to perform their set in front of a panel of industry experts from record labels and LiveNation, as well as a chance to win free lunch at Epic Burger (yummy organic goodness right there), an opening slot at a future Metro show and a cool $3000. Not a bad prize, eh?

This is one of those Columbia events that are destined to work, I thought to myself as I walked to the Metro on that unusually gloomy Tuesday. Needless to say, I was definitely not disappointed. The acts who performed there were damn good and versatile to boot. A variety of genres, from jazz and hip-hop to pop, soul and electro (throw in tap dancing and singing too from the ever-so-adorable 345 trio) shared the stage and threw quite a diverse show.

Sure, there is future talent to watch at events like these, but more importantly, a majority of the student body gets a better understanding of the different types of talent that surround their campus and it sure promotes the hell out of school spirit, or what’s left of it.

There were hundreds of college students there and the sense of collective entitlement was refreshing to see, despite the apathy that the “college scene” seems to get these days, with rising tuition costs and decreasing employment opportunities during a national recession. Whether or not you hate Columbia College and their stupid motto “Create…change” (which serves as the local hobo chant around these parts), these bands that performed at “Biggest Mouth” really do inspire change. They breathe life by showcasing their various musical, spoken word, and performance talents to their own peers and we cannot help but cheer them on. That’s the type of school spirit that I like.

Another aspect that I found refreshing was the fact that this event was a collaborative effort. Where else can anyone see three rival colleges coming together in a concert setting to lay down bragging rights and local talent? Columbia College got the chance to compete against those lame schools down the street and truly prove who we are. Sure, they might have University in their name, but you can’t deny that Columbia has way more style and stage presence! It’s true, I mean, we have a tap-dancing trio (345) singing about heartbreak, for goodness sake! They are a true testament to what Columbia College Chicago is truly about: an extremely eclectic and artistic scene where innovative (and sometimes unusual) students merge with local surroundings in order to hone and craft that one remarkably exciting (and often appealing) craft into true talent.

Come to Chappelle's Block Party!

Is Dave Chappelle really crazy or is he just being realistic? All surprise trips aside, comedian Dave Chappelle just wants to entertain us, in his own, peculiar way, which is made evident in his 2005 documentary “Block Party.”

In this film, its not all about the racially insensitive jokes made popular by Chappelle's very own Comedy Central show, “Chappelle's Show.” Sure, the show had its moments with memorable sketches like The Mad Real World and The Racial Draft, which lampooned various popular culture references and people.

However, for Chappelle, it was too much. He reached a point where his crew would be laughing wildly at the jokes Chappelle made about race and somewhere in between landing his own Comedy Central sketch comedy show and fleeing to Africa to get away from it all, I can assume that Chappelle simply did not go crazy; instead, he had a mental breakthrough.

As a journalist and actor, the hardest thing to deal with in the industry is getting pigeonholed into a certain role or typecast. In Chappelle's case, he was being groomed to be the next Richard Pryor: a black comedian with a penchant for making millions laugh at the racial and societal insensitivities that plague modern day America.

Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert says, “There is something about a $50 million contract that feels wrong to him, that threatens to build a wall between his personality and the way he likes to use it,” and though it might be not in the Chappelle’s best financial interest to pass up a $50 million contract, you can’t help but admire his dedication to himself and having an individual personality in a world where the press crucifies every flaw and fault of a celebrity or politician. He bravely stood up to what the world thought was popular and funny, and the true character of Chappelle's existence came to the surface. Who can blame him? He was at the height of hilarity and when he left, he was still on top. I cannot think of a single person who made that career move, quite simply because most celebrities and brands are greedier than the Wall Street fat cats that plunged our economy into a crippling recession.



Chappelle eventually ended up returning to the states after a much-needed hiatus in South Africa, where he said he “needed to do some soul searching.” Even after his arrival, the state of his mental health was called into question, but he perservered, like any unwilling celebrity, through the tabloid swamp.

One of the most endearing things about Chappelle in Block Party, which was shot after his trip to South Africa, he spoke candidly about those who practice music and comedy routines, pointing out the talents of those who helped him with the documentary. However, in regards to himself, Chappelle says “I’m mediocre at both and yet have managed to talk my way into a fortune. Life is a funny and unpredictable thing.” I can honestly say that I agree with this. How many times have you lied on a resume in order to get to that prized interview? It’s all about confidence, something that Chappelle clearly has up his sleeves, and from the amount of hip-hop and R&B artists who came to his “Block Party,” it is evident that his “mediocre” comedic talents have earned respect from his fellow peers, which is something that can far outweigh any crazy antics written by tabloids that might detract from Chappelle’s public image.

This film celebrates hip-hop culture by showcasing many influential artists who helped craft the genre. From the Fugees to the Roots and Kanye West—even Lauren Hill—a community of different cultures were brought together in the spirit of soul and hip-hop performances. However, not everyone liked the “Block Party” taking place. Though critic Michael Eric Dyson believes that “engaging and constantly critiquing hip-hop culture—and not dismissing or demigrating it—can older blacks possibly hope to understand the most influential form of black popular culture of the last quarter-century,” can the older generation grapple with the current hip-hop culture? I do not think so, and the movie supports my point. Director Michel Gondry chose to keep a older, white, hippie couple in “Block Party” because they feel that hip-hop promotes misogyny and foul language, which is totally acceptable. Some things may come off familiar to our generation, but for the baby boomers of the 60s’ and below, they may still view the world in black and white. Hip-hop is more than just foul language, and artists like Lupe Fiasco, among others, have taken steps to eliminate certain swear words and influences that may offend those who are not “into” hip-hop music.

There are other detractors as well. New York Post critic Kyle Smith says that “Block Party” is strictly for the fans of the musical acts and those who think everything Chappelle does is genius.” However, I think this film is more than just one, big concert in New York City. “Block Party” showcases a variety of different faces and alternative personas. There are musical artists performing between interviews and backstage glimpses, but the film succeeds in capturing each person’s individual community, whether they are black, white, young, old, or even crazy.

“Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” is a successful documentary that celebrates the triumph of diversity and change and promotes a positive hip-hop culture. Even though the media, as well as millions of individuals, may think Chappelle is “crazy” for walking out on such a large sum of money, the fact of the matter is: Money talks, but Chappelle certainly walks (away), opting to follow his passions and “create change” rather than “selling out.” Now, that's a sign of a true artist and comedian.

Field Work: Back to Hell AGAIN!

What is the center of Columbia College Chicago? Is it the administrative office on 600 E. Michigan, or the portfolio center of 623 S. Wabash. However, one area always remained a hub of activity, no matter if classes were going on, or the debauchery taking place at night. This place is none other than “The University Center.”

I mean, we can get into the technicalities of why this is the center of Columbia College Chicago. It has the word center in the name; it is only steps away from true attractions of the city, such as Harold Washington and Grant Park; and the close proximity to the Harrison Red Line eL stop makes it hard to miss.

I've lived in the U.C. and I almost never return to this place after living here for a full school year. It's like the high school I used to go to across the street, a distant part of my past. Too bad the places really don't change all that much. A conglomerate of cliques rule this roost, from the plad-dressed hipsters withtheir hats tilted to the side and their graphic tees, shamelessly self-promoting the most obscure brands of our time, to the variety of ethnicities that stick together: Asian circles and African-Americans hanging out in groups of threes and fours, punk-rock Hispanic guys hanging with a collection of hipster and urban styles.

Wait a minute, this is not the U.C. I lived in before...this is a more advanced version of a high school cafeteria. There is something that seems forced here, but where else do you see the true essence of college, at the beginning of it all. Now, I may have come on a wrong day, or maybe the University Center simply kicked out all the bad seeds and now they are left with the rest, because that was the case when I lived there.

However, what makes this particular spot the center of Columbia College is the fact that this is where three rival city colleges/universities come to live when they leave hom, making this building a place of collaborative effort. I believe in keeping your friends close, but keep your enemies closer, because eventually, you can learn a thing or two.

Here, students begin to understand the value of responsibility and consequence, and through their ups and downs, they figure out who they truly are and what they want to do with their lives. In the midst of it all, there are so many events that are taking place all the time: musical and theater outings, karaoke, video game nights, and so much more. This is the place where connections are made and frienships are forged.

Let's not forget the usefulness of having conference rooms, a decent cafeteria and a 3rd floor terrece to impress investors, partners and innovators alike. Columbia is surely learning this, as they buy and expand their campus quite often. Columbia College really doesn't need bundles of buildings to choose from: they need a landmark. Something worthy enough to impress those who may or may not invest their time and money in their education or life.

Chaos Week at Columbia

Ever since watching artists like The Cool Kids and Flosstradamus turn the inaugural Chaos Week (in 2008) into a raging concert experience, I think I figured out why Columbia gives us such a treat, especially so close to finals. They know we are burned out and there is nothing we like to do more (as students) than proscrastinate. We do so by going to such events to have a good time and why not? Give us a chance to unwind before life really kicks our butt.

Brought together by the Student Programming Board, Chaos Week took place from April 20-24 and they had a variety of events that were both educational, but also fun. Some of the highlights of Chaos Week was the D.I.Y. Fashion and Art Networking event on April 22. There were professionals in the art and fashion world that discussed the importance of building a brand, which, as a journalism major, is a very important part of landing lucrative jobs and selling your idea. Other panelists from VenusZine, Blue Buddha Boutique and other speakers discussed how to create their art and marketiong it towards the right individuals. These industry-led nights are critical to those college students who can't seem to grapple with the idea of “doing-it-yourself,” in order to succeed, and more so, they get expert advice from those who have succeeded themselves.

Of course, Thursday and Friday is the time to unwind, maybe take a shirt off or two at Columbia College (paging Mark Kelly). At the Hokin Annex, Liam Gallagher (notorious for his “Oh My God, Shoes!” video online in which he dresses up as Kelly) as well as other comedy acts kept students laughing for at least three hours.



Friday was an awesome evening. Three “established” artists: Crystal Castles, Deerhunter and Empires performed high-energy sets as throngs of students danced and jammed for four hours. Throughout the night, free giveaways such as shirts and CDs were given to students and I was pleasantly surprised that Columbia was able to pull this off. The three artists that played have played at Chicago's very own Lollapalooza before or will play there this year, a good sign of a talented artist making it on their own.

These events might have been created under the pretense of taking a breather before finals in May, but students need to recognize how these established artists have succeeded in their professions. In college, I view my experiences as a tool for knowledge, the more I know, the better off I will eventually be. While it is fun to let down your hair, these events can help someone network themselves into a career, or even a valuable friendship.

Chaos Week is another brand of Columbia College, an event that promotes the image of Columbia College as a media and performing-arts-based college located in the heart of Chicago's downtown. Hey, some colleges get Carrot Top and Tommy Lee to stop, so I think we should be extremely grateful that we can do much better.

Hipster Hating Redux

You can’t deny their presence in a local dive bar, knocking back Stella Artois and other imported Belgium beers. Unique in everything they do, they listen to the most exclusive and obscure music that you have probably never heard of. They are trend setters in the sense that they love organic food and only shop at boutiques or thrift stores to find one-of-a-kind items that would never be in any regular department store. They are the kind of people known as Hipsters. The true consensus from various dictionaries is that these people are “individuals who think and act hip/cool in relation to others.” They are simply cooler than you are.

The problem is these people are the local celebrities that are looked up to by the less fortunate. They look fabulous and I can’t deny that I’ve wanted the expensive clothes on their body, but I simply couldn’t afford it. They have an undeniable style and they always get a lot of attention for being that uniquely complicated individual that values independent thought and cheap wine. But then I think to myself: is the person actually hip or is it just about jumping on different trends to stay above the “normal” population?

For hipsters, they embody a way of life. Everyone one may like certain aspects aspects of the hipster lifestyle, but the true hipster must embrace a sleek, confident attitude, have a striking style and must always be willing to challenge the “norm” for all of those restrictions and such! Add a couple of trends and some wayward connections with music-business wannabes and here's your new best friend for six months. After six months, hipsters start to get threatened at the fact that they pursued any one person or thing for that long period of time.

Their contributions to the mainstream population should be applauded. No, I really mean it! They often find those bands that are popularized at outdoor music festivals, where they get discovered by music journalists at Vice, Pitchfork Media and Alternative Press, which then get discovered by national music magazines like Rolling Stone and Spin many months later. Take MGMT and Vampire Weekend for example. MGMT was all over the festival circuit in 2008, and they will make an appearance at this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee. As for Vampire Weekend, Pitchfork had those cats in the bag last year, yet Perry Farrell nabbed them for this year's Lolla line-up.



They contribute to the economy by working at low-paying jobs, thus stimulating other businesses with their hard-earned cash. Coffeehouses may not succeed without their ever-constant presence by both hipster employees and the hipsters who hang out in their favorite Chintz chair, blogging incessantly about their daily rumblings and grumblings on the free Wi-Fi network. They love coffee, which keeps generating cash for the foreign coffee trade business (which does not truly support the farmers who actually produce and roast the coffee beans. But the corporate businesses are certainly flourishing, thus stimulating the “currently” dismal worldwide economic outlook.

They are the art students at Columbia College, disguised in tight, black jeans and a messy, yet perfectly styled haircut that we secretly wish we want when we head out to the bars, just because it looks like an effortless creation. They are purveyors of poetry readings, open mikes and art and fashion shows and they always know where to get the best food and which bars to go (dance at) once the sun goes down.

So why are hipsters hated by the general mainstream population? They have a pretentious and condescending attitude, and they can be driven by the things they own. One can say that in the effort of trying to be cool, they’ve lost sense of the individual they once were before they began to care about staying “hip” or “cool” in order to look good.

I absolutely despise hipsters because I know that me and all of my 447 friends on Facebook are all cooler than them. They walk around, thinking they have the “one-up” on me, when it journalists like myself that seek to discover the true stories of our time. I exist to inform others, while they simply exist to please others and eventually get laid by the opposite sex. They may have style, but where's the substance? Where is the individual within?

The answer is, they are selfish, self-promoting douchebags that get joy and pleasure from reveling in the fact that they look better than everyone in the room and the fact that they have a plenitude of obscure topics to start up a random conversation with someone. Believe me, it's not jealousy that seethes from my pores, but what else is really needed in the art of “match-making?” Yes, it will probably end up in a passionate tryst, but like the trends they follow, a new thing becomes old really quick. What a slut! For these hipsters, all they want to do is get noticed, which gets them attention from all the right (and wrong) crowds.

Forget about all the haters and getting stereotyped, they live to win those cool points and to be unlike anyone else. So why aren't they individuals? Because what you think is cool (in terms of your individual taste and style) is drastically different from what others think is cool and impressing them with those “trendy” and “hip” styles. Sure, they really do love their Belgium beers (and so do I) but they love the attention they receive from others more than anything else. Well, there may be an exception for what hipsters love the most; it might be those expensive leather boots or that signed t-shirt from that one band no one really knows much about.

There is truly no limit to the hipster culture. For a more detailed list of attitudes, trends, bands and styles that hipsters follow (usually on a short-term basis), check out the definition of Hipster on Urban Dictionary or the blog Stuff White People Like as well as the blog Stuff Hipsters Don't Like to get an up-to-date list on some Hipster favorites.