Confluence

Grusha Sabharwal,
Yuchen Bian

Corps sans organs

Channeling the inner workings, reflected by the outer spaces. We tap, we hang, we fix, we keep paths aligned and still go astray. There is no linear path but one that is full of glitch – full navigations.

The Unknown

“To progress again, man must remake himself. And he cannot remake himself without suffering. For he is both the marble and the sculptor. ”– Alexis Carrel

This work attempts to illustrate “Man, The Unknown (1935)” by Alexis Carrel and scenes within “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (1956)” by Yukio Mishima. Through the confession of an old monk as the storyline, constructing an imagination of the two masterpieces – the protagonist seeks self-destruction, exploring the remake of man and the sublimity of beauty. The work consists of two parts: video projection and audio, interacting with a live percussion performance. Music would contain some improvisation with a partial open score between the video and live performance, corresponding to the theme of the unknown of regression.

Heng Lin,
Yefu Liu

Heejo Kim,
Sally Hyun

Still Warm

Painter Heejo Kim and composer Sally Hyun come together to present this combined-media “Byeong-Poong,” showcasing their experiece of self-improvement and growth through positive human connection. 

Byeong-Poong is a piece of traditional Korean furniture, best described as a folding screen, which is used to display several paintings. Much like human beings, the paintings on display are individually unique and beautiful, but enhanced by the other pieces connected to it. 

In her music, Sally Hyun seeks to reflect on the role of human connection in overcoming insecurity and personal negativity. Much like paintings on a byeong-poong, where each piece influences the perception of ones surrounding it, the people who surround us influence our perception of ourselves. However, unlike paintings on the byeong-poong, we are empowered to choose who we are connected to, and who is allowed to influence our self-image.

In her series of three oil paintings, Heejo Kim explores the need for intimacy and relationships in the development of an individual. Through the contrast of cobalt blue and cadmium red, she expresses how we draw the personal courage to advance into the cold unknown by drawing warmth from the relationships we keep along the way.

Performing Real

“Performing Real” offers a unique exploration of performance and perception. Through the lens of a camera, the piece captures the nuanced gestures of performers striving to maintain specific fingerings under scrutiny. The camera, metaphorically embodying a ‘spectator,’ unveils a public image of the performers.

The trio of flute, clarinet, and vibraphone represent the ‘performers,’ each adhering to fixed gestures. When the camera’s gaze is present, they not only maintain these gestures but also experiment with different sounds using techniques like harmonics, articulation and fingering similarity. Conversely, when not in the camera’s gaze, the instruments break free, exploring a wider range of sonic possibilities. 

Jiangshengyu Nova Pan,
Yenhsing Chen

Yoon Jung Lee,
Yoonjung Lee

Tune in Change

“Tune in change” is an installation comprising interconnected 30×30 squares, each symbolizing the continuous evolution we undergo towards self-discovery. This collaborative piece reflects the journey of two artists who, sharing the same name and struggles, venture beyond their limits to face fears and embrace new artistic expressions. One transitions from painting to installation art, while the other evolves from acoustic to electronic music, together navigating the emotions of hope, despair, acceptance, and release. Through this work, they explore their transformations, paralleling the natural process of metamorphosis.

Finding Gravity in Myth

Here the myth is Asian identity. The longer sāgar lives in the diaspora, the more that an Indian or Asian identity feels like a constructed fiction. This sculpture pulls together various diasporic, liminal, and domestic materials like the bamboo leaf, safety pins, mirror and gold sequins used in decor or costuming, and twines. The process of building was improvisational, a constant search for where each fits in and the resulting sprawling shape captures the fluidity and and dynamic nature of who we are and who we become based on context and environment rather than solely the identity from which we are born. The materials each have migrated to Baltimore from various homes and have learned to understand each other, the space, and that larger context they exist in. Heather has created a blossoming soundscape using elements of Korean poetry, Kathak bols (percussive North Indian Compositions), sounds of nature, and a vibraphone to evoke the feeling of spring. The feeling of searching, yearning, and blossoming into a new season of growth and exploration compliments the materials used in the sculpture. Together, Heather and sāgar aimed to create an experience of finding and losing oneself.

sāgar kāmath,
Heather Ahn

Jeehee Yoo,
Jun An Chew

Echo Sphere

The objective of this collaborative project is to explore the multifaceted concept of “echo” in modern society, focusing on its influence on human perception across various realms, including social media, the internet, music genres, art forms, and political discourse. By delving into the intersections of technology, culture, and human experience, we seek to examine how our generation perceives and navigates the multitude of sounds around us, both physically and philosophically. Through a visually and musically immersive experience, our goal is to encapsulate the concept of echoes, prompting audiences to engage in critical reflection and dialogue about the profound impact of sound on our lives.

Portraits

The Hyphae-nate fashion collection is a series of outfits made in collaboration with seniors living in the Bolton North Apartment and students from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and Johns Hopkins University. Designers Anaitza Brown and Austin Chia co-created the outfits with the seniors. Each outfit is custom-made for the model and reflects their interests, personality and stories. As a whole, the collection embodies what is possible when different communities work together. It is also a celebration of our time together. The Hyphae-nate collection premiered at the MICA Annual Benefit Fashion Show where the seniors modeled the clothes on the runway to music composed by Yan Fang.

Austin Chia,
Yan Fang

Ashling Han,
Yizhen Lyu

Inertia

This project explores the connection between inertia in the natural world and its manifestation in human society, uncovering the unconscious biases, conformity, and resistance that drive social inertia. Through a blend of sound and visual imagery, viewers are prompted to contemplate the pervasive influence of inertia and its interplay with societal constructs. Inertia, a universal principle governing resistance to change, is observed both in the movements of celestial bodies and the fabric of society, influencing cultural norms, political structures, and individual behaviors. While inertia operates consistently across these domains, there are notable differences in their manifestations: natural inertia follows immutable laws of physics, while social inertia is shaped by human agency and consciousness. Through introspection, we navigate the echoes of inertia and are called to transcend its grip, harnessing collective agency for a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Events and Results

Events and Results is a game where players engage in a button-choosing game. In each round, players must select one button, with success or failure determined by their choice. The foundational concept of the system comes from the idea that life is a series of choices. The game is designed to immerse players in the challenge of decision-making through various factors. The game system includes several restrictions. Firstly, players cannot anticipate the difficulty of each decision-making round. Just as in life, some choices are easy while others are not, but the outcome remains uncertain until faced. Secondly, players are bound by a time limit for the entire experience. This reflects the finite nature of life, which applies equally to everyone. Lastly, players cannot predict the outcome of the game. This illustrates the unpredictability of many life choices. Decisions that seem wrong may turn out to be right, and vice versa, with outcomes only revealed in the end. Through a space-like game environment and sound design focusing on alienation, intimacy, and microtones, players are encouraged to feel isolated from others. Making decisions alone can be overwhelming and lonely, but in the end, when one reflects on their life, embracing challenges and living life to the fullest will determine whether one’s life is fulfilling or not.

Songhyun Moon,
Yanqi Chen