Pentathlon

Semester 1

As an experiential component of College Park Arts Scholars, I attended a selection of five art events during my first semester. These events ranged in art mediums and each sparked dialogue among my peers.

Pentathlon 1: Silent Disco

Event Logistics September 10 2022, NextNow Fest @Clarice

Pentathlon category #dance

My recent experience at the NextNow festival's Silent Disco was not quite like anything I had ever done before. The idea of being surrounded by people all wearing headphones and dancing was slightly foreign to me, as I tend to find those sorts of events make me self conscious. However, after only five minutes in the dance pit I put all of those cares and insecurities behind me. The atmosphere was energetic and judgeless, everyone there just to have a good time and nothing more. My friends and I danced until our legs gave out and our hearts nearly burst with joy. The song selection was excellent, and catered to everyone's preferences, from rap to pop to throwback hits. If you didn’t like a song, you could simply change it over to one of two other channels to find the song that best fit your mood. I think what surprised me the most at this event was the amount of connection I felt to everybody there, even though we all could barely hear each other. I sang and danced with people I had never met before, and towards the end of the night conga lines and dance circles began to form. It was more than just a dance party, but a way for us all to connect through song and dance, showing the power of both in the art world. I hope I get to do another silent disco in the future, there will be no more hesitation from me.

Pentathlon 2: All Things Go

Event Logistics October 1 2022, Merriweather Post Pavilion, All Things Go

Pentathlon category #music #dance

My recent experience at the All Things Go music festival was incredibly meaningful and worth all of the weather troubles we went through while there. Going to a festival was something I hadn’t done before, and though my feet were extremely sore and my clothes very wet by the end of the night, being surrounded by others feeling the music and connecting with the artists onstage made that well worth it. While there I was able to see artists such as Lucy Dacus and Mitski, with Lorde headlining the event. I think music is a key part of the human experience, and seeing how different artists performed and added to their sets showed me how unique it can be too. Performance on stage is just as much a part of creativity as the music itself. Seeing Mitski’s interpretive dance and Lorde’s anecdotes and stories really showed this to me. Being around others feeling the beat and screaming the words with me reminded me of my love for humanity. Even though we have a lot of flaws, artistic experiences like this one remind me of the beauty of the human race. Music is incredibly important, and without it I am not entirely sure what I would do. I was also reminded of Arts Scholars during this event because of the ideas of community and connection through art. During Colloquium I have similar feelings as I connect with my fellow students through different art forms. As artists our job is to close the gaps between people using creativity, and music is one of the ways this is possible. All Things Go was worth every penny and being caught in the rain and I highly recommend seeing Lorde in concert if anyone is ever given the chance.

Pentathlon 3: Museum Trip

Event Logistics October 15, 2022, Museum of Natural History

Pentathlon category #visualart

On my recent trip to the Museum of Natural History in D.C. I learned a lot about the connections between science and art. Though the museum itself is all based around the science of the natural world and the animals that live on it, the way we interpret and speak about it, as well as the way the exhibits are organized and set up show a level of artistry. The statues and models as well as taxidermied animals in the museum give a unique glance into the timeline of our planet and of humans as a species. I also thought a lot about the conversation we had in Art Scholars about museum ethics during this visit. The elitism we see in the art world as well as the way artifacts are handled and how they came to be in the museum is a complex discussion, and one I believe Art Scholars strongly encourages. Art Scholars reminds me that it is good to have tough discussions around art and other topics in order to have a more full and nuanced view of the world. Especially since I plan to go into art history and archaeology for my career, these ongoing discussions around elitism and stolen art are relevant and significant. I look forward to going back to the museum soon and learning more about the amazing planet we live on.

Pentathlon 4: Bad Suns

Event Logistics October 23 2022, Baltimore Soundstage, Bad Suns Concert

Pentathlon category #music #dance

I recently attended a concert in Baltimore with my friends to see the bands Bad Suns, Quarters of Change, and Last Dinosaurs perform. We had a great time enjoying the pounding of the drums and dancing to the very catchy and upbeat music they played. Though the concert was long, and we were there for over four hours, the joy I had getting to be with my friends and dance the night away made it all worth it. I think that when we talk about art in Art Scholars and how a lot of times it can spark a reaction from the audience, this concert would be a great example. It was not just the bands that made the concert, but the crowd as well. There is something so incredible about watching people know all of the words to a song and scream them out along with the artist, or the excitement people display when they hear their favorite part. It really shows how powerful art can be and the effect it can have on people, positive or negative. It makes me wonder if music will still have this same effect a hundred years from now, and how people have perceived music overtime. Music has been around almost as long as modern humans, and hopefully always will be.

Pentathlon 5: Knives Out

Event Logistics November 28, 2022, Cambridge Community Center, Movie Night

Pentathlon category #film #artscholars

Though I am not an avid movie watcher due to having a short attention span, the movie Knives Out proved to be an excellent attention capturing film and an incredibly amusing experience. The script is very clever, and had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout, and is full of twists and turns. It also features a star studded cast and an interesting color scheme. What I also enjoyed was the experience of being with others while watching it. It’s nice to see what others find funny, and to be together even if it is in silence. It definitely reminded me that a central part of Art Scholars is community, and having experiences with others. I felt this throughout the entire movie, and even though none of us were actively interacting with each other, it was comforting to know there were others there. I think that especially since quarantine, having experiences like last night are not things I can take for granted, because being together is a privilege. I think the movie is also a great reflection of family dynamics and how complex it all is. The family in the movie is far from perfect or even normal, and that is true for lots of people, though this is more exaggerated. Human relationships are complex and far from simple, and last night was a great reminder of not only that but also the importance of community.